SASO Certification for Steel Products: What Buyers Should Know
An overview of SASO technical regulations and conformity for steel products in Saudi Arabia: the SABER platform, product and shipment certificates, rebar regulation and buyer checks.
Saudi Steel Work Editorial Team · · 3 min read
Short answer: SASO (the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization) issues technical regulations that many products, including certain steel products such as reinforcing bars, must meet to be sold in Saudi Arabia. Conformity is managed through the SABER electronic platform, typically with a product certificate of conformity and shipment certificates for imports. Buyers should confirm the applicable regulation and request conformity evidence.
SASO conformity is a regulatory requirement for many products in Saudi Arabia. For steel buyers, it matters most for regulated construction products such as rebar, but scopes change, so always check the current regulation.
What SASO does
- Issues Saudi standards and technical regulations
- Defines conformity assessment procedures
- Operates the SABER platform for product registration and certificates
- Works with notified conformity assessment bodies
How conformity typically works
- Identify whether the product falls under a technical regulation (by HS code and product scope)
- Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) — issued after assessment by an approved body, often involving testing and factory evaluation
- Shipment Certificate (SC) — for imports, issued per shipment through SABER, referencing the PCoC
- Customs clearance relies on these certificates for regulated products
Details and requirements are set by SASO and can change; confirm current procedures on official channels.
Steel products commonly affected
- Reinforcing bars — a long-standing regulated product in the Kingdom
- Other construction steel products may fall under specific technical regulations
Ask your supplier which regulation applies to each product line.
What buyers should do
- Ask whether the product is regulated by SASO
- Request copies of conformity certificates
- Check that certificate details (manufacturer, product, standard) match the delivered material
- Keep conformity documents in the project quality file
Relationship with project standards
SASO conformity confirms legal market compliance; project specifications may still require additional standards, testing and certificates (e.g. EN 10204 3.1). See mill test certificates and steel standards in Saudi Arabia.
For rebar, see ASTM A615 Grade 60 and rebar quality checks.