The regulation in simple terms
RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. In Saudi Arabia, this regulation limits certain substances in covered electrical and electronic products and their spare parts. Its purpose is to help protect people and the environment.
The important question is what the product is made from, not just whether it switches on and works. A product can pass an electrical safety test and still need separate evidence about the substances in its materials. SASO is the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, which issues the regulation.
What does this mean for you?
- If you import or manufacture covered equipment, ask for evidence about the materials and components used in the models you supply.
- “RoHS compliant” on a brochure is a claim, not the full supporting file. Check which product, materials, tests and regulatory requirements the statement refers to.
- RoHS evidence does not replace electrical safety testing or other Saudi certificates that your product may need.
An everyday example
You plan to import a lamp. Its electrical safety report may address risks such as electric shock, but it does not automatically demonstrate compliance with substance limits. Ask the manufacturer for the relevant material declarations and test evidence, and check that they relate to the lamp model and components being supplied.
Which products are covered?
The regulation covers six groups of electrical and electronic equipment, including relevant spare parts. The examples below are a starting point; the product’s function and the official exclusions still need to be checked.
| Product category | Examples | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Household appliances | Equipment such as refrigerators and small household appliances | Identify the appliance, model and intended use. |
| Computers and communications equipment | Computers and telecommunications equipment | Identify the equipment and the components supplied with it. |
| Lighting equipment | Electrical lamps and lighting equipment | Ask which materials and components the available evidence covers. |
| Electrical tools | Electrical and electronic tools, such as powered drills | Check intended use and whether a specific exclusion applies. |
| Toys, leisure and sports equipment | Electrical toys and powered leisure or sports equipment | Confirm the electrical function and the product category. |
| Monitoring and control equipment | Monitoring and control instruments | Check the intended application and any specific exemption. |
Product examples are not a complete classification. Read the official text and confirm the applicable scope before making an application.
Check the boundaries
Medical devices, military equipment, equipment intended for space, large-scale stationary industrial tools and large-scale fixed installations are among the exclusions. There are also specific material and monitoring/control exemptions. Calling a product “industrial” does not by itself establish that it is excluded.
GoCertify
How to get started
Use these practical steps to begin. The exact documents and tests depend on your product.
Identify the equipment. Send the model number, photographs, intended use and power-supply details. List accessories and spare parts separately.
Ask the manufacturer for the supporting records. Useful starting documents include a bill of materials—a list of the materials and components—supplier declarations and relevant substance test reports.
Have the evidence and application route reviewed. Check that documents match the supplied model, identify any exemption being claimed and confirm what further evidence or conformity documents are needed for Saudi Arabia.
Can I use an overseas RoHS report or declaration?
It may be useful evidence, but it is not automatic proof that all Saudi requirements have been met. Check the covered model, materials, substances, methods and any exemptions, together with the applicable Saudi conformity-assessment route.
Technical details and references
For a closer review, these notes point to the relevant provisions in the edition linked below.
Substance limits apply to individual materials
Annex 1-C of the reviewed edition lists maximum concentrations by weight in homogeneous materials: 0.1% each for lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBB and PBDE, and 0.01% for cadmium, subject to applicable exemptions. A homogeneous material is a uniform material, such as a plastic material or solder; the limit is not an average across the whole appliance.
Annex 1-C, page 17; Annexes 1-A and 1-B for exemptions.
Build a traceable technical file
Article 4 calls for evidence of compliance and Article 5.3 lists a supplier declaration, risk assessment and necessary warnings and safe-use instructions. A technical file is the organised set of records supporting the product. Link the material and component evidence to model numbers so a reviewer can follow what it covers.
Articles 4–5, pages 7–8; Annex 4 for the declaration form.
Check which assessment provision applies
Article 5.1 specifies a Type 1a conformity certificate under ISO/IEC 17067 from an accepted body. Article 5.2 provides for a supplier declaration where covered products are supplied to the Saudi market by the manufacturer or its legal representative. Confirm that the actual supplier and supply arrangement meet the relevant provision; it is not a blanket exemption for any importer.
Article 5.1–5.3.
Keep substance compliance separate from safety
RoHS examines restricted substances. Electrical safety and other applicable product rules address different requirements. Keep the evidence organised by purpose, and use the category-specific timetable in the official implementation guide when reviewing historical application dates.
Article 4; SASO implementation guide, pages 10–11.
Edition and dates
- Document edition
- Second edition
- Regulation published
- Amendment / update published
- GoCertify summary reviewed
The PDF cover records the second-edition update on 29 July 2022. The SASO catalogue still displays the original 2021 dates and an initial implementation date. The official guide instead describes phased application from 4 July 2022 to 26 December 2023 by category (pages 10–11).
Official documents & sources
Technical Regulation for Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Official documents are issued by SASO. The explanations on this website are independent GoCertify guidance, not official translations or approvals.
Download PDF · Arabic (3.6 MB)Download an unmodified copy of the official SASO regulation, hosted by GoCertify. The edition and dates shown above identify this copy.
Reading references: Article 2, page 6, sets scope and exclusions. Articles 4–5, pages 7–8, cover obligations, assessment and the technical file. Annex 1-C, page 17, lists substance limits; Annexes 1-A and 1-B give exemptions. The official guide, pages 10–11, gives the phased application timetable.
- View official source at SASO (opens in a new tab)
- SASO implementation guide · English PDF (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.