According to Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) Decree No. 216, nine major products categories, including extension cords and power sockets (from August 2020), have been added to the control list and manufacturers and traders are required to apply for the Saudi Quality Mark (SQM) through an authorised certification organization for the regulated products. If you wish to continue your socket business in Saudi Arabia, then in addition to the necessary CB and GCC certification, business with SQM (Saudi Quality Mark) certified factory is also the basis for trade. Apart from some well-known brands in the market, there are very few SQM (Saudi Quality Mark) certified factories, so do you know how to find them?
l Currently Factory to Do SQM (Saudi Quality Mark)
The most convenient and direct way is to ask existing suppliers to apply for SQM (Saudi Quality Mark) certification, but please note that SQM (Saudi Quality Mark) certification has very high requirements for manufacturers. In addition, the SQM (Saudi Quality Mark) certification involves a full GCC report for SASO2203, a transfer report and other costs, which are relatively high. For OEM importers with a small order volume, the cost pressure will be higher. It is also important to note that SQM (Saudi Quality Mark) certification must be audited for the factory where the product is manufactured if you are working with an agency or trader.
Asking an existing supplier to apply for SQM (Saudi Quality Mark) certification will take 2-3 months or more, and can be costly, and many factories do not pass with flying colours. Importers can then start to look for factories that are already SQM (Saudi Quality Mark) certified and consider moving their business.
l LinkedIn/Facebook
Many social media are not only a channel for express personal ideas now, but also a platform for buyers and sellers to find opportunities for cooperation. In this era of information sharing and the rapid spread of keywords, you can search these platforms for professional information related to SQM (Saudi Quality Mark) and for information on some Chinese manufacturers and products certified by SQM (Saudi Quality Mark). Check their homepages and you will find that many manufacturers regularly update their product information and industry-related information on social media platforms, which is an effective and inexpensive way to promote themselves. You may wish to start with these manufacturers who have SQM (Saudi Quality Mark) certification.
l Third-party Laboratories
For importers and manufacturers, third-party laboratories are not only impartial and trustworthy testing and inspection organisations. They are also a bridge of information for both parties. By consulting with a partner third-party laboratory, importers can find out which SQM (Saudi Quality Mark) certified factories are currently on the market. And third-party organisations are often the most knowledgeable about each supplier's internal management system, product quality and cooperation philosophy. We HOMEBEST works with many well-known laboratories such as SGS, ITS, BV, etc. The quality of our products and factory qualifications are unanimously recognised by our customers and third parties.
l SASO Official Website
If you are not good at social media search and do not have a third-party laboratory to work with, you can visit the SASO official website: https://jeem1.saso.gov.sa/ , where all manufacturers passing the SQM (Saudi Quality Mark) certification are listed on the website. The category, models and brands of products for which the factory is SQM (Saudi Quality Mark) certified can all be found together. If an importer accepts to sell the HOMEBEST brand, not only do they avoid the restrictions imposed on importers while applying for the SQM (Saudi Quality Mark) transfer certificate, but they also save time and money.
Landlink is currently one of the few factories to have SQM (Saudi Quality Mark) certification for its range of extension sockets, adapters, plugs and wall switches, and has many years of experience in the industry, with its self-owned brand HOMEBEST already occupying a certain share of the local market in Saudi Arabia. If you have not yet found a reliable SQM (Saudi Quality Mark) certified factory, you may wish to check our information.
Official Website: www.hbsocket.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/homebest/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=Homebest
Product and Factory Certification:
CE / CB / GCC / SQM / IECEE / SABER / PSB / EQM