Saudi Regulatory Authority expands scope of SIRC Product Certification Program

0
812

As reported by UL, the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) has expanded the scope of its SASO IECEE Recognition Certificate (SIRC) program to include a wider range of consumer products starting in September and November 2021. SASO is the only certification body that issues the SIRC, which is required for market access in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for designated product categories and is the lone certification scheme available for such categories. The SIRC is a recognition certificate in the KSA for products bearing a valid International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) scheme certificate and test reports prepared according to the latest valid IEC standards that are not older than three years. Prior testing and certification continues according to the IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components (IECEE). The SIRC is valid for one year upon issuance. Introduced in 2018, SASO has expanded its scope several times since. Starting from September, the SIRC program also includes coffee makers, water kettles, electric oil fryers, electrical cables, video game consoles and accessories, all types of electric pumps providing five horsepower or less. The further expansion, starting from November, will include: shaving appliances, desktop computers, mobile device charger cables and electrical circuit breakers. UL explains its suport for the market access under the SIRC program: “UL is a market leader in the IECEE CB scheme and maintains National Certification Body (NCB) and Certification Body Testing Laboratory (CBTL) entities around the world. Our testing service provide the CB test reports and certificates required before beginning an SIRC application, and our global facilities can test most of the product categories under the scope of the SIRC. Our Global Market Access services can facilitate the SIRC application by leveraging extensive regulatory experience and a local presence in the region to help streamline the process”.