Exporting Electricals to Saudi? – new SASO requirements from May for Plugs and Socket Outlets

SASO issues revised Standard for Plugs and Socket Outlets effective May 2016. The Saudi Standards, Quality and Metrology Organization (SASO) has published and issued a revised standard SASO 2203/2015-“Plugs and Socket-Outlets for Household and Similar Purpose”. This standard, in conjunction with supplementary standards GSO BS1363-1/2009 and GSO BS1363-2/2009, updates the requirements for verifying compliance of plugs and socket-outlets exported to KSA. GSO BS1363-1 and GSO BS1363-2 are similar to BS1363-1 and BS1363-2 with minor national deviations. SASO 2203/2015 shall supersede the standards SASO 2203/2003 and SASO 443/2003. Enforcement of this updated standard shall commence from the 8th May 2016. The major changes in the revised SASO 2203/2015 standard are: • The scope of the standard includes plugs and socket outlets rated up to and including 250V. • The SASO standard reference number on the plugs and socket outlets is no longer a mandatory requirement.

Exporters of Electricals to Saudi Arabia: Important Update on Energy Efficiency Requirements!

Update on Energy Efficiency Requirements of Exports of Electricals to Saudi Arabia. Energy Efficiency Requirements for Electric Motors and Exemption Procedure Following the previous circular issued by SASO which requires compliance of electrical motors to the energy efficiency requirements per SASO IEC 60034-30. Exporters should ensure that testing of electrical motors under the scope of the Energy Efficiency Requirements is performed by SASO approved laboratories. SASO also announced the exemption of Electric motors imported as integral components for manufacturing a final product locally in Saudi (e.g. air conditioners, pumps, etc.). Full details on this process and how to obtain an exemption visit www.intertek.com/government/regulatoryupdates/saudi-energy-efficiency/. Air Conditioners, Washing Machines, Freezers & Refrigerators All Exporters of Air-conditioners, Washing machines, Freezers and Refrigerators should meet the minimum star rating in addition to compliance with the respective SASO standards for Energy Efficiency Labelling. Details of the minimum star rating can be found at www.intertek.com/government/regulatoryupdates/saudi-energy-efficiency/. Lighting Products and Lamps SASO has recently approved a technical regulation regarding the energy efficiency requirements for imported and locally manufactured lighting products in Saudi. Compliance to the technical regulation will start on the second quarter of 2016. The scope covers lamps working with flashing lighting and halogen techniques, Compact Fluorescent lamps (CFLi) and light-emitting diode (LED) lamps.

Exports to Libya need a Certificate of Inspection.

The Central Bank of Libya recently issued an instruction which referred to Resolution by the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya which regulates the use of foreign exchange for opening documentary letters of credit (L/C) and collection against these LC's. With immediate effect all goods imported into Libya require a Certificate of Inspection issued by an international inspection company such as Intertek, to allow these shipments to be financed through a documentary letter of credit issued by a commercial bank. Intertek is the industry leader with over 38,000 people in 1,000 locations in over 100 countries and many years of experience in supporting importers and exporters in meeting the regulatory requirements of international trade. Intertek can issue the necessary Certificate of Inspection for Libya as your partner of choice.

New Regulations for Exports of Electricals to Qatar

The Qatar Ministry of Environment has made an announcement with regards to the import control and restriction of the following electrical products entering to the country.

1. Energy Saving Air conditioners (Window and Split type) Energy Saving Air conditioners should fulfill the EER labelling and requirements in compliance with QS 2663/2013 and shall be provided with evidence of conformity coming from an accredited body such as Intertek. The energy efficiency ratio (EER) should not be less than 8.5 Btu/hour in accordance with the test conditions (T1) of the standard.

2. Energy Saving Lamps Shipments of Energy Saving lamps shall be provided with evidence of conformity to prove compliance based on the Qatari Standards.

3. Incandescent Light Bulbs/Lamps. Import of incandescent light bulbs/lamps (Tungsten) shall be banned for their negative impact on electric energy consumption and the environment. First phase of the ban includes 100w and 75w incandescent bulbs/lamps.

The implementation of the new regulation shall be effective starting from January 1, 2014.

Reinforcement of testing, inspection and CoC requirements by KSA Authorities for the Export of Products into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

All exporters are informed of the following additional requirements for the export of their products to Saudi Arabia.
 
The KSA authorities have reinforced that shipments of the following product categories should be sampled for testing, inspected and issued with a Certificate of Conformity (CoC):

•      Toys
•      Electrical and Electronic Products
•      Cosmetics and Perfumes
•      Vehicles and Vehicle Spare Parts

The test requirements can be fulfilled by Intertek.

The successful Test Reports along with the shipment invoice, inspection report and CoC should be made available electronically to the KSA Customs. A hardcopy of the CoC should be submitted to KSA Customs as usual for the clearance of the shipment.

Shipments of products arriving in KSA that cannot be tested locally, nor accompanied with a CoC, will be returned back to its country of export

Exporters are kindly requested to comply with this requirement to avoid any complication at KSA ports and borders.

We bring to your attention that the KSA authorities have also indicated that they will now be reinforcing the requirements for Certificates of Conformity for additional products not currently included in the current scope of the KSA programme.

Further information on the above can be obtained from your nearest Intertek Country Office or email us at info.government@intertek.com, and will be made available as and when it is made known to us.

Change of Requirements for Certificate of Conformity for Exports to Saudi Arabia of Vehicle Spare Parts

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has issued instructions that with immediate effect the Certificate of Conformity issued for Vehicle Spare Parts should also be accompanied with test reports of the vehicle spare parts being shipped to KSA. 

Vehicle Spare Part shipments, and especially those for Brake pads and Filters, are to be mandatorily accompanied by test reports along with the CoC.

Update to Electrical Plug Requirements for Exports to the UAE

Changes to Electrical Plug Requirements for the UAE

ESMA has granted a 6-month extension period, where ESMA approved non-removable plug adaptors shall still be allowed until 30 June 2013, provided the adaptors are permanently installed with the product.  This in reference to the ESMA decision dated 2 January 2012, reference number C.A.D/14/2012 regarding the use of ESMA approved non-removable plug-adaptors.