Understanding the SASO IECEE Certificate: Your Gateway to the Saudi Market

In an increasingly globalized market, exporting electrical and electronic products to Saudi Arabia requires more than just quality manufacturing; it demands full compliance with local regulatory standards. One of the most essential certifications in this regard is the SASO IECEE Certificate, a conformity assessment document issued by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation (SASO). This certificate ensures that products comply with the international standards of the IEC System for Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components (IECEE), while also meeting additional national requirements specified by SASO.

Whether you’re a manufacturer, distributor, or importer, understanding the SASO IECEE certification process is critical for smooth customs clearance, successful market entry, and avoiding costly delays or rejections. In this article, we explore the purpose, scope, eligible product categories, and step-by-step process for obtaining the SASO IECEE Certificate, empowering businesses to navigate the Saudi regulatory landscape with confidence.

What is the SASO SABER IECEE Certificate?

The SASO SABER IECEE Certificate is a mandatory conformity document required by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) for certain regulated electrical and electronic products entering the Saudi market. It falls under the broader SABER platform, a digital system established to streamline the product registration and certification process in line with Saudi conformity assessment procedures.

To understand the IECEE certificate meaning, it’s important to note that it is based on the International Electrotechnical Commission for Electrical Equipment Certification (IECEE) system. This international framework ensures that products meet globally recognized safety and performance standards. The SASO IECEE certificate, however, adds an additional layer of compliance by requiring that products also meet specific national safety requirements as set by SASO.

The IECEE certificate for goods is typically required for a wide range of items, including mobile phones, chargers, laptops, household appliances, power banks, lighting products, and other electrical devices. By obtaining this certificate, manufacturers and importers demonstrate that their products conform to both international IEC standards and local Saudi regulations, enabling smooth customs clearance and legal market entry.

So, what is IECEE certificate in the context of Saudi Arabia? It is an essential pre-market approval document that verifies the conformity of electrical products and components with Saudi technical regulations through the IECEE recognition system. Without this certification, many electronic and electrical goods will not be allowed to enter the Saudi market through the SABER platform.

In short, the SASO IECEE Certificate is a key requirement for ensuring product safety, compliance, and successful distribution within Saudi Arabia, offering assurance to both regulators and consumers.

Who needs the SASO SABER IECEE Certificate?

Any company or individual planning to export certain electrical and electronic products to Saudi Arabia must obtain the SASO SABER IECEE Certificate before shipment. This requirement applies to manufacturers, exporters, importers, and distributors dealing with regulated products such as mobile phones, chargers, batteries, laptops, power banks, household appliances, and lighting equipment.

The IECEE certificate for goods ensures that these products meet both international IEC standards and Saudi-specific safety regulations. It is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to protect consumers by ensuring that imported products are safe, reliable, and compliant with local requirements.

The IECEE national recognition certificate is specifically recognized within Saudi Arabia through the SABER system. While it originates from the global IECEE recognition certificate system, SASO adds an extra layer of national compliance. Hence, only products with a valid SASO IECEE recognition certificate will be accepted by Saudi customs for entry and sale within the local market.

If you’re involved in supplying regulated electronic or electrical goods to Saudi Arabia, you need to obtain the SASO SABER IECEE Certificate. It is a crucial document for legal market access, ensuring smooth customs clearance and avoiding delays or rejections at the border.

What does the IECEE stand for?

The term IECEE stands for the IEC System for Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components. It is a global certification system established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to ensure that electrical and electronic products meet international safety and performance standards.

In the context of Saudi Arabia, the SASO IECEE certificate is based on this international system but adapted to meet local regulatory requirements. The IECEE recognition certificate confirms that a product has been tested and certified according to IEC standards and is recognized by SASO for entry into the Saudi market.

The IECEE certificate for goods is essential for products such as smartphones, chargers, power banks, household appliances, and lighting equipment. It helps ensure that these products are safe, high-quality, and compliant with both global and Saudi-specific standards.

Validity and renewal of the certificate

The IECEE certificate validity is a critical aspect that importers and manufacturers must monitor to ensure uninterrupted access to the Saudi market. In most cases, the SASO IECEE Certificate is valid for one year from the date of issue. This validity period is determined by SASO regulations and may vary slightly depending on the product type and certification body involved.

Once the certificate expires, products can no longer be cleared through customs in Saudi Arabia using that document. Therefore, timely renewal is essential to avoid shipment delays, penalties, or the need to repeat the certification process from scratch.

To renew the certificate, applicants must submit an updated application through the SABER platform along with the latest technical documents and test reports. In some cases, a new IECEE CB Test Report may be required if the original one is outdated or if the product design has changed.

For importers who want to verify the status of a certificate, a SASO IECEE certificate check can be performed through the official SABER platform. This tool allows users to confirm whether a certificate is valid, expired, or due for renewal, helping them plan shipments accordingly.

The SASO IECEE certificate validity typically lasts for one year and requires proactive monitoring and timely renewal to ensure continuous compliance. Regular certificate checks and updates are vital for keeping goods flowing smoothly into the Saudi market without regulatory interruptions.

Products require the SASO IECEE certificate in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, the SASO IECEE Certificate is mandatory for a wide range of electrical and electronic products that are classified as high-risk or widely used in homes and businesses. These products must comply with international IEC standards as well as specific technical regulations set by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). The goal is to ensure the safety, performance, and quality of imported products before they reach consumers.

The IECEE certificate for goods is required for the following categories of products:

• Lithium battery
• Power Bank
• Tablets
• Water Pump
• Smart watch
• Mobile Batteries

• Dishwasher
• Television (TV), including monitors
• Car charger
• Mobile phone
• Mobile Screen LCD (spare part)
• Adaptors for laptops
• Smart band
• lamp, luminaires, control Gear
• coffee machines
• Electric cables

• Kettels
• Deep fat fryer
• Games, devices & accessories
• shavers
• Desktop Computers

These products must have an approved IECEE certificate issued by an authorized certification body and then recognized by SASO through the SABER platform.
Without the SASO IECEE certificate, these goods will not be cleared by Saudi Customs and cannot be legally sold in the local market. This
makes obtaining and maintaining the IECEE certificate a critical step for manufacturers and importers aiming to operate in Saudi Arabia.

What documents are needed to apply for a SASO IECEE recognition certificate?

To obtain a SASO IECEE recognition certificate, applicants must provide a specific set of documents that demonstrate the product’s compliance with international standards and Saudi-specific technical requirements. These documents are necessary to process and approve the
application through the SABER platform and issue the IECEE national recognition certificate.

Here are the key documents required:

1- Valid IECEE CB Test Certificate and CB Test Report

• Issued by an IECEE-recognised certification body (NCB), this is the foundation of the IECEE recognition certificate. It must clearly show that the product has been tested according to relevant IEC standards.

2- Product Technical Specification Sheet

• This includes product features, model numbers, materials used, and technical drawings if applicable.

3-Declaration of Conformity

• A signed document from the manufacturer stating that the product meets applicable IEC standards and Saudi regulations.

4- Manufacturer’s Authorization Letter

• If the applicant is not the manufacturer, an official letter from the manufacturer authorizing the applicant to apply on their behalf is required.

5- Commercial Registration (CR)

• A valid commercial registration certificate for the importer or applicant in Saudi Arabia.

6- Product Image

• A clear image showing the actual product and its label, including model number and brand.

7- Label Details

• A sample or layout of the product label showing key information such as voltage, frequency, model, and manufacturer details.

Once these documents are reviewed and approved, SASO will issue the SASO IECEE recognition certificate, which confirms the product’s compliance and allows it to be registered in the SABER system.