The Saudi Product Safety Scheme, known as SALEEM was introduced on a trial basis from 1 January 2018, gradually replaces the previous SASO certification system. Under the new SALEEM certification system, products on the regulate list will be required to meet the technical regulatory requirements specified by SASO and will consist of a two-stage product conformity assessment as follows.
Step 1: The corresponding product is assessed according to a product assessment plan specified by SASO and if it meets the requirements, a PCOC (Product Certificate of Conformity) will be issued.
Step 2: After the PCOC has been obtained, each shipment of goods under the product certificate is assessed and a SCOC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity) is issued.
The whole process is done on the Saudi-designated platform SABER, so this platform is effectively a new online application system. It is worth noting that the new SABER certification system is led and initiated by importers, so a series of application processes need to be operated by the importer on the system.
Process Overview:
How does an importer register a facility account on SABER?
How does an importer register their products on SABER?
How does an importer apply for a PCOC (Product Certificate of Conformity) on SABER?
How does an importer apply for a SCOC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity) on SABER?
How does an importer register a facility account on SABER?
1.Registration and activation of facility account
As SABER is a new online system, every importer has to go to the SABER webpage https://SABER.sa to register a facility account. Click on the "Register a New User" icon on the homepage to enter the registration page, where you will need to fill in the applicant's full name, email address, contact number and password.
After filling in the basic information, you will be redirected to the company information registration page, where you will need to fill in the commercial registration number, expiry date and click on the verification link. As the SABER system is linked to the Ministry of Commerce system, the commercial registration number entered will be sent to the Ministry of Commerce for verification. If the information is correct, the SABER system will display the commercial registration data. Afterwards, enter the information of the responsible manager, the type of facility, upload a copy of the signature of the official responsible manager and the copy of the official stamp, agree with the terms and conditions statement and press "Register" to complete.
The system will then automatically send an activation link to the email address you have filled in, which the importer needs to click on to complete the final registration process.
2. Attention:
The SABER system requires a Saudi importer or a local merchant to register online
Only one account can be registered per company
The password must consist of 8 digits that contain small and capital English letters with at least one number and symbol.
Applicants must click on the activation link received by email in time to complete the registration, which is valid for 24 hours
The main account can delegate sub-accounts in "Manage Contact Officers" and delegate other sub-accounts to operate the subsequent certificate application process.
How does an importer register their products on SABER?
1.Adding product description
The importer needs to log in to the SABER system, click on the "Add New Product" icon on the left navigation bar, then jump to the product category selection page. The importer needs to determine whether the product belongs to the consumer product or non-consumer product. Non-consumer products are regulated by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA). Click the "Add Consumer Product" to enter the “Add New Product” page.
The product can be added by HS code or product category. If you are unsure of the product's HS code, or if the system suggests that the HS code entered is not available, you can search by clicking on the "Saudi Customs Web Site" below. Using the product category search, users will select from the main category and then from the sub-categories until they reach the desired product. If a match cannot be found in the category, the user can select "Other" so that the product is not regulated. Click on 'Complete Product Data' to jump to the next screen.
2.Adding product information
As required, importers need to enter the trademark information, product name (in English and Arabic), product description (in English and Arabic), country of origin, manufacturer's name and address (in English and Arabic), click on "Save and Add Product Images" to jump to the product image upload page. Click on "Save" to complete the registration of a product.
3. Attention
If the product trademark is not in the trademark list, you can click the link next to the trademark to open adding new brand window to enter the new trademark addition page. 3.X
If a trademark is subsequently found to be incorrect and needs to be changed, the importer must first add the correct trademark to the list for the conformity assessment body updating it.
The correctness of the HS code is very important. If it is incorrect and has already entered the conformity assessment body's conformity certification process, it cannot be changed directly and requires the importer to re-apply and pay for it.
How does an importer apply for a PCOC (Product Certificate of Conformity) on SABER?
1.Apply PCOC with equivalent certificate
Once the product has been registered, the importer can log back into the system to apply for a PCOC (Product Certificate of Conformity). Click on 'Certificate of Conformity Request' on the left-hand side of the homepage and click on the 'select' icon underneath the product you want to certify, the product information page will be displayed.
Click on "Next" to go to the next page. If the product already has an equivalent certificate, such as IECEE, GCC, etc., click on "Yes", enter the certificate number and date of issue, and then click directly on Click on "Send Request" to request the issuance of a Product Conformity Certificate (PCOC).
2.Apply PCOC without equivalent certificate
If the product does not have an equivalent certificate, the importer clicks on the "No" option and the system will convert the user to the system's equivalent unified certification system, automatically determine the technical regulations and approved conformity assessment bodies that the product needs to comply with for certification based on the product's HS code. The importer can select the required conformity assessment body and send the product conformity test and certification application online.
3.Create invoice and download certification
Once the selected Conformity Assessment Body has accepted the application, the importer can go to the "Certificate of Conformity Request List" on the homepage and click on "Previous Request " to select the appropriate application item and create a payment invoice. Once the payment process is complete, the status of the request will change to "Pending Conformity Assessment Body Decision" and the conformity assessment body be notified to start the testing process and make a conformity assessment.
If the product conformity has been tested and approved, the importer can review and print the Certificate of Conformity on the system.
4. Attention
The SABER system database is linked to the HS code database and the technical regulations database. Based on the HS codes entered it is possible to determine directly whether the product is regulated or not, as well as the relevant technical regulations. However, at present, it seems to be relatively faultiness and subject to misclassification. You can contact a SABER certified conformity assessment body to assist with feedback to the SABER back office or contact SALEEM.
The payment is valid for one month, after which the product conformity certificate needs to be re-applied.
The PCOC (Product Certificate of Conformity) is valid for 1 year.
How does an importer apply for a SCOC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity) on SABER?
1.Create a new shipment products request
Except for non-regulated products, importers can apply for a shipment certificate for products for which a conformity test has been completed and a certificate of conformity has been issued. Log in to the SABER system and click on 'New Shipment Products Request' in the left-hand navigation to access the request page.
Select the product to be shipped, enter the product information, exporter information, product barcode, invoice information, certification documents, etc. and click on "Add product to request", a prompt will be displayed for successful addition.
2.Add products to the same request
Importers can add other products to the "Product added to request" list, click "Next" to go to the next page.
Once you have selected the country of shipment, click on 'Send Request' and the SCOC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity) request will be sent to the same conformity assessment body as the PCOC (Product Certificate of Conformity).
3.Create invoice and download certification
Again, once the application has been sent, the importer can view the list of applications in the 'Previous Request' section under the shipment certification application, with an 'options' button to the right of each application and select "Create Certificate" from the drop-down menu.
The page shows the status of the request, the country of shipment, the number of regulated and non-regulated products, and the products with a Certificate of Conformity. Click on 'Create Certificate' to go to the fee confirmation page.
Once payment has been completed, the importer can download the SCOC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity).
4. Attention
One product without a PCOC (Product Certificate of Conformity) in a batch shipment will result in failure of the entire batch shipment application
If the PCOC (Product Certificate of Conformity) in a batch shipment are operated by more than one conformity assessment bodies, the batch SCOC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity) will be sent to the respective conformity assessment bodies and the importer will need to pay more than one fee
The SCOC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity) is only valid for one batch of goods imported
The SABER platform allows investors and local manufacturers to obtain the required PCOC (Product Certificate of Conformity) and SCOC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity) for consumer goods entering the Saudi market, whether imported or locally manufactured. The use of the SABER system can help speed up the process of issuing product Compliance Certificates (PCOC), reduce the time spent on imported products, including Saudi Customs inspections, and protect Saudi consumers from substandard and fake products. The list of products that SASO plans to regulate is not currently fully implemented, and the list of products specifically implemented on the SABER system is being implemented gradually. From 2020 onwards, almost all products exported to Saudi Arabia are included in the SABER certification system.
So in order to complete the customs clearance process smoothly for the goods, importers need to be well aware of the whole PCOC and SCOC application process by operating the SABER system on their own or entrusting it to the exporter.