The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) has now published their Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Technical Regulation (“Regulation”). In our 16 February 2022 Regulatory Update to clients and friends, we noted that SASO had decided to postpone the entry into force this Regulation, initially scheduled for 05 January 2022. The Technical Regulation had been adopted on 28 January 2021, after multiple attempts at development and approval. The Regulation became effective on 04 July 2022.
As part of the Regulation, Saudi Arabia has announced the requirements for product conformity assessments, with the goal of enhancing the safety of subject products imported into and manufactured in the Kingdom. This aspect notably differs from the EU’s Directive 2011/65/EU, which does not require domestic manufacturers and importers to provide a certificate of conformity for their product. The Saudi authority has published the guidelines for these assessments, as well as a list of other documentation required, as part of the Regulation.
The implementation will now be carried out in stages, as per the following:
Category
Mandatory Date for Product Category Implementation
1A – Small home appliances
04 July 2022
1B – Large Home Appliances
04 July 2022
2 – Telecommunications & Information Technology Equipment
31 December 2022
3 – Lighting Equipment
31 March 2023
4 – Electrical and electronic equipment and tools
29 June 2023
5 – Toys, recreation equipment and sports equipment
27 September 2023
6 – Monitoring and Control Tools
26 December 2023
