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.