The Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is the certificate obligated by the Saudi Standards Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) to prove the conformity of the product to the Saudi Standards before displaying in the market.
This certificate is part of the SALEEM program developed by SASO to align with the kingdom leaders’ efforts to improve living standards. It ensures that the products consumed by Saudi citizens are manufactured according to international safety and quality standards.
The new CoC was applied within the Product Conformity Assessment Program (PCA) developed by SASO and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to create a system that ensures the products placed in the Saudi market will not cause any harm to the consumer or the environment. This program is one of SASO’s steps towards participating in achieving the goals of the Kingdom Vision 2030.
Certificate of Conformity (CoC) stages
The CoC is considered a program of a two-stage process, it consists of the Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and the Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC). These two certificates ensure that the product complies with the relevant technical regulation before it accesses the kingdom markets which prevents any rejection at the customs ports or recall from the market.
The Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is a certificate required for both locally manufactured and imported regulated products while nonregulated products are exempted from it. It is issued in the country of origin and valid for one year.
The Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCOC) is a certificate required for each imported shipment either regulated or nonregulated. It can be also issued in the country of origin after obtaining the Product Certificate of Conformity for regulated products or the Self Declaration for nonregulated products. It is valid for one shipment and gets expired once it is cleared at the Saudi customs ports.
Issuing the CoC via Saber
In line with launching SALEEM program, SASO established Saber Electronic Platform to make the conformity and certification activities online. The Product Certificate of Conformity and the Shipment Certificate of Conformity are now issued electronically via Saber without the need for physical presence in the Kingdom.
The Saudi suppliers can create an account for their facilities on Saber so that they can register their products -which is a mandatory step- and then choose a conformity body to issue the certificate.
Saber was established to facilitate the procedures for all parties involved in or related to the conformity activities including suppliers, customs authorities, SASO authorities, and conformity bodies since all products data are stored in one electronic platform, the certificates issuance process and expiration dates can be electronically tracked, the HS codes and products categorization services guide the beneficiaries to identify the regulatory requirements for each product.
The role of the conformity body in issuing the CoC
The conformity body is a third party approved by SASO and entitled to carry out the conformity assessment and issue conformity certificates.
The Product Certificate of Conformity is one of SASO certification that require the involvement of a conformity body. The conformity body’s role in this regard starts from reviewing the technical file and testing reports to issuing the certificates.
The approved conformity bodies are enlisted on Saber and categorized by region and scope of accreditation. The suppliers shall choose a conformity body approved in issuing the certificate for their products and their accreditation covers the country of origin.
The required documents to apply for the CoC
To apply for the CoC via Saber Electronic platform you should provide the following products:
- Test reports from an accredited laboratory.
- Risk assessment report.
- Inspection report.
- Quality certificates.
- Product design and dimensions.
- Product photos
