Lighting Product Testing and SASO Certification. Are you in the know?
If your lighting business is one of the many now considering Saudi Arabia for international expansion then customs compliance will be top of your agenda. Specifically, the challenges presented by the SASO Certification programme, and the associated lighting product testing requirements you’ll face.
To help, we’ve created this guide. With expert advice from XDS SASO Account Manager Martin Churches and Head of Luminaire Testing, Martin Luke, from XDS partner Cranage Laboratories. Collated to enable you to avoid nasty surprises, prevent costly shipment delays and take swift advantage of Saudi Arabia’s growing market.
The Opportunity for lighting products
Saudi Arabia is investing heavily into social-economic development. Driven by its landmark Vision 2030 Plan, efforts are focused on expansion of its entertainment sector, diversification of the historically oil-led economy and realising the potential of its youngest mega economic cities (Rabigh, Hail, Madinah and Jazan).
In addition, planning and construction has begun on further ‘economic’ and ‘entertainment’ cities, creating an abundance of opportunity for manufacturers, importers and distributors of luminaires, lighting products and components.
Lighting products and Saudi Arabia Customs: The Basics
- Whether a manufacturer, importer or distributor of luminaires, light sources, control gear or components; if you intend to import lighting goods of any kind into Saudi Arabia then they will be subject to the SASO Certification (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization) Conformity Assessment Programme.
- To clear through Saudi Customs, your shipment of lighting products must be accompanied by a Certificate of Conformity, also known as a SASO CoC. This CoC must have been issued by an authorised inspection agency.
- As part of the SASO CoC application process, your product will be required to pass lighting product testing, ideally via a 3rd party testing lab. Resulting in International Standard IEC 60598 Part 1 & Part 2 test reports and certificates dealing with the safety, performance and energy efficiency of luminaires, lighting products and lighting components.
- Part 1 – All aspects of safety (electrical, thermal and mechanical) relating to all luminaires, lighting products and components. Dealing with matters such as the products construction, external and internal wiring, resistance to heat and water, endurance and energy efficiency.
- Part 2 – Specific product ‘type’ testing relating to the individual product being tested (wall lights, recessed lights, outdoor lamps etc).
- All imported lighting products must carry a non-removable indication label stating origin.
- In addition, all imported lighting products must also carry a compliant Energy Efficient Label (EEL) before entry to the country is granted.
- Lighting products are categorized as either high, or low risk. It’s prudent to understand your risk level early, as this categorisation will determine the CoC and shipment inspection requirement.
- Failure to obtain a SASO CoC, to affix a non-removeable label of origin, or affix a compliant Energy Efficient Label before shipment of your lighting products could result in goods being returned to their country of export, financial penalty or customs blacklisting.
Best Practice: Fast track international expansion
Getting set to take your lighting product to the Saudi Arabian market? You can fast track the process by following these 3 simple steps:
#1 Early Evaluation
Initial early evaluations should take place right at the start of the process. This means you can ensure your new lighting product complies with mandatory, regulatory requirements. No nasty surprises later, and no delays in your product launch.
#2 Pre-Testing
If you’re designing a new lighting product for the Saudi Arabian market, or as part of a bespoke project commission, the last thing you want is to have to go back to the drawing board when it fails to meet customs requirements. This is the danger if you sign off the prototype, and move into manufacture before the product testing process begins.
Instead, pre-test your early prototype. Thus, side stepping non-conformities before you begin production and enabling you to use the test results for your certification and customs compliance.
#3 Regulatory Check
Have a lighting product range in mind for the Saudi Arabian market? Carry out a regulatory check to ensure it will pass through customs before you start selling. Talk to our regulation experts >>
How we can help
Rapid turnaround SASO Certificates of Conformity for exports to Saudi Arabia.
Our expert Account Managers personally manage every step of the process. From lighting product testing and Country of Origin certification to issuance of the mandatory SASO CoC, advice relating to Energy Efficient Label (EEL) requirements, and ongoing regulatory updates.
We did start to work with XDS as the procedures to get SASO or KUCAS seemed to be much easier than with other organisations in France. We found procedures elsewhere became constantly ever more complicated and slow.
I first approached XDS Solutions after an urgent request for SASO documentation from a Saudi Customer. I knew nothing about the documentation and was a little overwhelmed when I discovered what was required to produce them. However, the service provided by XDS was absolutely top class. They gave me every assistance I required and provided understanding to the whole process. The Documents were provided in good time and I was able to send them to Saudi Arabia quickly to allow the goods to enter the country without delay.
I have since used them on several occasions and am always dealt with promptly. The staff are proficient in their service and the quality comes through. I can’t thank them enough for their initial assistance and with everything that has followed.
Back in late 2016 we were experiencing serious delays to our Saudi SASO certification process. Since moving to XDS the SASO process across our USA, UK and German operations is streamlined, hassle free and SASO certification now arrives within a matter of days, not months.
I cannot underestimate the amount of time and stress that XDS saved us with regards to obtaining SASO. It was a lot easier than obtaining the Country of Origin Certificate that took several months via one of your competitors.
XDS Solutions is a trustworthy business partner to work with. They worked hard with us to find a solution that suited our company at the same time as meeting the Certificate of Conformity requirements. They always ensure they do their best to provide high level of service and customer satisfaction as they have committed to from day one since the business co-operation started.
XDS approached me a few times and suggested we switch. I was reluctant at first, but now I wish I’d done it much earlier. I am extremely happy with the service provided by XDS, it is excellent. That’s the reason we’re still with them
