Firstly, the importance of SQM.

With the rising demand for Saudi electrical and electronic products, how to ensure the quality of imported products has become an urgent concern for government purchasers. In the supply chain market where prices are varied, it is indeed unwise to consider only low prices, because without quality assurance, sales data as well as customer loyalty will be greatly reduced, more seriously, product safety issues, casualties and paying a heavy price, which is not worth the loss.

As a result, since last year, Saudi Customs has required the SQM Quality Mark for electrical and electronic products, which is used to certify that the product meets SASO standards and is manufactured in a factory with an effective management system to ensure continued compliance. This certification is based on the ISO/IEC 17067 Class 5 certification system, and is applicable to both imported and locally manufactured products in Saudi Arabia.

The SQM application is already well underway as we are taking proactive action to better serve Saudi Arabia importers. Although the requirements for this conformity standard are very high for both the factory and the product, we take this very seriously as we aim to provide quality products and services to our customers.

In the long run, the acquisition of the SQM quality mark gives buyers a guarantee of standardisation and professionalism of the manufacturer throughout the purchasing process, while the quality and standardisation of the product is further verified throughout the application process.

 (Above is the SQM logo icon)

Secondly, what are the benefits of SQM for importers？

1. With so many suppliers, there is a unified measurement standard for factory inspection, reflecting standardisation.

As an importer, it is difficult to fully understand the actual situation of a supplier's factory (such as the size of the factory, number of production lines, etc.,) simply from the exhibition or online communication. If you visit a supplier once, you will be very lucky if you meet the right supplier in one visit, but it happens many times you cannot find the right supplier after many visits. Then, the SQM quality label solves the above troubles. Whether the production line is compliant to obtain the SQM quality label of the company, and the legal compliance of the business registration certificate, are the most basic requirement.

Secondly, specific and systematic documentation such as test reports, product catalogues, product labels, manuals in Arabic and English are required. This information will give a clear idea of whether a factory is legitimate, where it is located and how large or small it is. Importers can also distinguish established, professional suppliers by the presence of the SQM quality standard, looking into the factory's organisational structure, the product line and the daily test reports, product labelling and other details, because the SQM quality system have taken all aspects into account. This gives buyers, who were originally looking for a needle in a haystack and had asymmetrical information, a fish pond, and those who can be found in the pond, i.e. factories that have passed the SQM quality standard, can be trusted to trade with them.

(Exterior view of the factory)

(View of factory details)

2. With so many products, the quality control is very strict and reflects professionalism.

Having said the factory above, let's now talk about the products. There are 2 kinds of importers, one is a very professional importer, in this field for 10 years, or even longer, have their own mature inspection system and a very strong control of quality. Another kind is what we focus on, who have just entered this product sector or have been in it for a few years, not only looking for low prices, but are also very apprehensive about quality. Then, to find a professional third-party inspection agency, the cost is another considerable amount of money. If the factory examine the goods by itself, who can guarantee that the factory inspection system is perfect? The consequences of quality problems can be really big or small. In the lesser case, the defective rate is too high and claims are negotiated with the supplier, which of course has to be based on the premise that the supplier is operating in good faith. In the case of serious ones, which endanger personal safety, the later problems faced are enough to catch a purchaser new to the industry off guard.

Fortunately, however, the SQM quality standard requires a very high level of quality. In the case of extension sockets, sockets with the SQM quality label give importers the following guarantees.

Firstly, external standards are guaranteed.There is no problem in the appearance, colour and size of the products.

Secondly, the internal structure is guaranteed. The whole machine's lettering, the internal connection lines and the size of the plug terminals are also qualified.

Thirdly, the professional test guarantee. After testing the factory are equipped with professional testing instruments required for wire pulling force, voltage resistance test, overload protection test, line holding force test, etc., to ensure the service life of the product.

Fourth, the packaging instructions. Finally, Bar code scanning is also subject to a rigorous checking process to ensure that there are no errors in the packaging.

Above, from the factory and product point of view, we introduce many benefits brought by the SQM quality label, but we also need to pay special attention to the third point below, because a reliable supplier also needs to constantly monitor and improve the details.

（Temperature resistance test）

（Lifetime testing）

Finally, the details of how to check the SQM certificate

1. Check carefully the validity of the certificate and whether it is within the validity period.

The SQM quality label has a validity period of 3 years. While looking for a reliable partner with the SQM label, importers should not forget to take a closer look at whether the quality label is within the validity period. In this way, the imported products are guaranteed in all aspects, and the import customs clearance and sales will be much smoother in the later stages.

2. Specialisation degree of testing agency issuing the report 

Testing institutions are very much, choose the big institutions to do factory inspection, it is generally recommended to choose SGS, INTERTEK, QIMA and other large testing companies, the report issued also more authenticity and credibility.

There are many testing organizations. Choose a large organization to do factory inspection. It is generally recommended to choose SGS, INTERTEK, QIMA and other large testing companies, as the report issued by them has more authenticity and credibility.

In addition to the SQM quality standard, electronic products exported to Saudi Arabia also need to do CB, SABER, G-MARK and other certifications. More details about these certifications, we will update in the later articles, and please pay attention.