SCOC & PCOC Export to Saudi Arabia
To guarantee safety and quality standards for all imports that are going to be sold in the local markets, the Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization of Saudi Arabia (SASO) has launched SALEEM, the Saudi Product Safety Program. This was done with the intention of ensuring that all imports would be sold locally. Within SALEEM, SASO has categorized products into one of three categories according to the level of danger they present:
- Low-risk items are not subject to Technical Regulation; rather, the exporter must submit a Declaration of Conformity on the product’s behalf in order to demonstrate that it complies with applicable standards.
- Medium-risk products are those that must adhere to a Technical Regulation and have their compliance confirmed by a certification company that SASO has granted accreditation in accordance with the ISO-17.065 (1a), 3, or 5 certification schemes. After then, the organisation will provide a Product Certification of Conformity (PCoC) on an annual basis, in addition to a Shipping Certification of Conformity (SCoC) for each shipment. So SCOC & PCOC certifications are both needed.
- In addition to being subject to the same restrictions as medium-risk items, high-risk products are also required to have a specialised certification issued by SASO. This certification mandates very particular labelling, which must be affixed to not only the products themselves but also the package they come in (G- Mark, EER, Water use efficiency, SASO IECEE Recognition Certificate, or SASO QM, among others).
It is necessary to present the Product Certificate of Conformity, also known as the PCOC, to verify that your products have been registered inside SABER and comply with any relevant Technical Regulations. After it is issued, the PCOC has a validity period of one year. The onus of beginning the process of acquiring a PCOC is squarely on the shoulders of the importer.
It is impossible to acquire a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCOC) if the PCOC registration has not already been completed. On the other hand, a SCOC is necessary to clear customs for every cargo.
Certificate of Conformity for Exports to Saudi Arabia
The Product Conformity Program (PCP) [previously known as SASO (Saudi Arabian Standards Organization)] has been adopted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for certain regulated products intended for commercial use. Certain exports of regulated consumer products into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia require a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from globally authorized laboratories (such as Verger Group). The PCP is a combined conformity assessment, inspection, and certification procedure that enables certain regulated goods to enter the Kingdom and potentially be processed by Saudi Customs more swiftly. The initiative assures Saudi consumers that these controlled products are free of potential safety risks and suitable for usage in the Kingdom.
Conformity Assessment
As of January 1, 2020, SASO certificates will no longer be valid for exports to Saudi Arabia. Consequently, only the SABER platform may be used to process certificates of conformity for customs clearance. Certificates for fragrances, cosmetics, insecticides, cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco items are the only exceptions. After this date, no shipments will be cleared based on the SASO CoC, and SABER approval must be secured.Regulated products (those subject to a specific Technical Regulation) must be cleared through a two-step procedure in which a Product certificate (CoC, valid for one year) and a related Shipment Certificate are provided (CoS, valid only per shipment). Products not subject to a particular Technical rule require merely a Shipment Certificate.
Shipment COC
SCOC & PCOC is required for all regulated products supplied to Saudi Arabia to ensure compliance with the technical rules established by the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO). It ensures that the product satisfies the Kingdom 2030 vision’s objectives for strengthening the economy and trade practices that offer Saudi citizens a high quality of life.
Saudi Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCOC)
Saudi Arabia is an example of a country that relies on these third-party services; imported goods to Saudi Arabia cannot clear customs without the proper export documentation, specifically a SASO Certificate of Conformance (Saudi Arabia Certificate of Origin). A SASO CoC is a Saudi Arabia-specific Certificate of Conformity. This certificate attests that the product has been satisfactorily tested and examined in accordance with the country’s quality and safety standards.The SASO certificate serves as the items’ passports for customs clearance. However, even with a SASO, Saudi Arabian customs officials maintain the right to apply extra inspections and testing processes upon the item’s arrival.
Saudi Product Safety Programmed SALEEM SABER
To accomplish these two strategic goals, the “Launch of the Saudi Product Safety Program” (also known as “SALEEM”) was begun. Under this programme, SASO will issue Technical Regulations (TR) for specific items based on their nature, application, safety, and performance, emphasising consumer and environmental concerns. The TRs contain mandatory sections that outline the Technical Requirements, Applicable Standards, and Conformity Assessment Procedures (CAPs) that must be followed. Compliant products to be placed on the Saudi market may be issued a Product Certificate of Conformity in preparation for Shipment Certificates of Conformity (CoC), which are necessary for Shipments of certified products. SASO has established SABER System, a web-based interface for issuing Product COCs and Shipment COCs, to successfully implement the Saleem Program. The Certification procedure for both Products and Shipments begins with the application of Suppliers using the SABER system.
Product Certificate of Conformity (PCOC)
Every regulated product is required to have a product certification of conformity (PCoC) that is given online through the SABER platform. This PCoC must be in accordance with the product standards that are outlined in the applicable technical regulation. The following steps are required in order to receive a PCoC:
- On the SABER platform, the importer has updated the product details.
- The importer will choose CB (Certification Body) to issue the PCoC and will pay any applicable fees.
- To determine whether or not any importer requests have been submitted, the CB logs into the SABER portal.
- CB acts as a facilitator for the conformity assessment process and acts as a liaison with the exporter to ensure that all supporting documentation is submitted.
- The CB is responsible for confirming the results and importing all valid qualifying documents into the system.
- PCoCs are issued digitally in SABER, and their validity spans one calendar year.
