The regulation in simple terms
Electrical equipment can create electrical disturbance and can also be affected by disturbance from nearby equipment. Electromagnetic compatibility, or EMC, means controlling both sides: the interference a product gives out and how well it continues to work around interference.
This regulation is about that behaviour. It does not replace electrical safety requirements, and its conformity route is not automatically the Type 1a or Type 3 route used by other regulations.
What does this mean for you?
- Identify where the equipment will be used: a home, an office and an industrial site can need different evidence.
- Test the real configuration, including cables, power supply, accessories and operating modes.
- The regulation uses a supplier declaration backed by internal production control and a technical file; a declaration is not permission to skip testing.
An everyday example
A motor controller works on its own but disrupts nearby equipment when installed with long cables. The compliance review needs to consider the intended installation and connections, not only a bare sample on a laboratory bench.
Which products are covered?
Start with the actual function and specifications, then check the scope and applicable standard. These examples are not an exhaustive list.
| Product category | Examples | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Finished electrical apparatus | Covered power supplies, controls and electrical equipment | Confirm the relevant emissions and immunity standards and normal use environment. |
| Fixed installations | A combination of equipment assembled permanently at a location | Document good engineering practice and installation conditions; review the specific Article 4 provisions. |
| Equipment configurations | Apparatus supplied with cables and accessories | Identify the configuration and software or operating modes covered by the evidence. |
Product examples are not a complete classification. Read the official text and confirm the applicable scope before making an application.
Check the boundaries
Article 2 excludes radio and telecommunications terminal equipment, medical equipment and other specified categories, including certain inherently benign equipment. Do not apply this guide to those products without checking their own regulatory route.
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How to get started
Use these practical steps to begin. The exact documents and tests depend on your product.
Identify the model, manufacturer, intended use and HS code; check every applicable regulation and exclusion.
Collect drawings, model photographs, labels, instructions, risk assessment and model-specific test reports.
Confirm the assessment route and additional approvals before applying, ordering inspections or arranging shipment.
Is a general test report enough?
No. Evidence must match the product, model and applicable standards. Complete the declaration, any additional approvals and applicable SABER procedures. The certification section below explains how testing, certification and other approvals fit together.
Certification route, factory audits & additional approvals
Start with the product group below. The scheme describes how conformity is assessed; it is not the same thing as a laboratory test report or a shipment certificate.
| Product group | Assessment scheme | Will a factory assessment be needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Covered apparatus: Article 6 route | Supplier declaration — conditional route | No independent Type 3 factory audit is specified by this declaration route itself. Supporting evidence and the relevant production controls remain necessary; other rules may add assessments. |
Article 6; Annex 2 (declaration); Annex 3 (internal production control); Article 4 for fixed installations.
Prepare these specific documents
Emissions and immunity assessment/test evidence, environment and operating modes, cable/accessory configuration, technical documentation, production controls and the signed Annex 2 declaration.
Your certification steps
Follow only the assessment route applicable to your product group. Alternative routes below are not cumulative requirements.
Classify the product: identify its use, materials, age group where relevant, model, factory and HS code. Confirm the applicable row above and any overlapping regulation.
Build the technical file and close test gaps. Check that reports cover the actual model, material, operating conditions and applicable standards; complete labels, instructions, risk assessment and declarations.
Resolve additional approvals listed below. Confirm their model scope and sequence with the accepted body or authority; do not order duplicate certificates without checking the current procedure.
Where the supplier-declaration route applies, complete the required conformity assessment and technical documentation and sign the declaration under the responsible supplier’s name. For EMC, follow Annex 3 internal production control. This is not third-party Type 1a/Type 3 certification.
Complete the relevant SABER product registration and conformity/declaration procedure, then the applicable shipment certificate procedure before import. A test report or product approval alone is not a shipment certificate.
Keep approvals, declarations and records current. Notify the responsible body of changes to the model, materials, factory or production; complete the required surveillance for the route and renew approvals as applicable.
Other approvals to check
- Check electrical safety and any other applicable product regulation independently. This EMC declaration does not replace a required Type 1a/Type 3 certificate under another regulation.
- Radio/telecommunications terminal equipment and medical equipment are excluded in Article 2. Such products need their own scope review, including CST requirements for relevant communications equipment; do not simply add a generic EMC certificate to every wireless product.
- Fixed installations have specific Article 4 conditions and documentation duties; confirm those before using the apparatus route.
Confirm the exact model, use and all applicable regulations with the accepted conformity-assessment body before booking tests or an audit. GoCertify supports preparation and coordination; the authorised body or authority makes the approval decision. ISO 9001 alone is not a product certificate or an automatic exemption from a required factory assessment.
Certification guidance reviewed:
Technical details and references
For a closer review, these notes point to the relevant provisions in the edition linked below.
Emissions and immunity
The essential requirements concern limiting electromagnetic disturbance and maintaining adequate immunity in the intended environment. Select applicable standards and document the configuration assessed.
Article 4; Annex 1.
Declaration route, not a blanket Type 1a certificate
Article 6 requires the supplier declaration in Annex 2 under the internal production control procedure in Annex 3, supported by a technical file and conformity assessment. Other applicable regulations can still require separate certification.
Article 6; Annexes 2 and 3.
Fixed installations need a separate scope check
Specific apparatus intended solely for a particular fixed installation and not otherwise marketed is subject to the conditions in Article 4. Keep installation documentation and evidence of good engineering practice; do not treat this as a general exemption for all industrial equipment.
Article 4; Article 2 exclusions.
Edition and dates
- Document edition
- First edition; official Arabic document
- Regulation published
- GoCertify summary reviewed
The publication date comes from the official document cover. It is different from this guide’s review date; check subsequent implementation notices and amendments before shipping.
Official documents & sources
Technical Regulation for Electromagnetic Compatibility
Official documents are issued by SASO. The explanations on this website are independent GoCertify guidance, not official translations or approvals.
Download PDF · Arabic (2.3 MB)Download an unmodified copy of the official SASO regulation, hosted by GoCertify. The edition and dates shown above identify this copy.
This summary refers to the articles and annexes in the official SASO document linked below.
- View official source at SASO (opens in a new tab)
- SASO regulation catalogue (opens in a new tab)
- SABER regulations directory (opens in a new tab)
Product examples are not a complete classification. Read the official text and confirm the applicable scope before making an application.
The review date records when we checked these sources. It is not a promise that the regulator has made no subsequent changes. Official documents and later notices take precedence.