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Saudi Arabia is one of the major LED lighting consumer markets in the Middle East. With continuous infrastructure investment under the "Vision 2030" initiative, demand for replacement LED light sources in Saudi Arabia keeps growing. Replacement light sources entering the Saudi market must complete dual compliance: SASO energy efficiency certification + IECEE safety certification.
This article explains in detail the core requirements of the SASO 2870:2018/AMD1:2021 energy efficiency standard and the full SABER platform registration process, helping lighting enterprises complete compliance efficiently.
1. SASO Energy Efficiency Certification: Mandatory Access Threshold for the Saudi Market
SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization) is the official standardization body of Saudi Arabia.
All replacement lighting sources sold and circulated in Saudi Arabia must meet two mandatory compliance requirements simultaneously:
- IECEE CB to SASO IECEE Safety Certificate (mandatory safety requirement)
- SASO energy efficiency testing + EER energy efficiency label registration (mandatory energy efficiency requirement)
Only with both documents completed can products be registered on the SABER platform for customs clearance.
Compliance basis for this article: SASO 2870:2018/AMD1:2021 Part 1 Full standard name: Energy Efficiency, Functionality and Labelling Requirements for Lighting Products – Part 1
2. Core Requirements of SASO 2870:2018/AMD1:2021 Energy Efficiency Standard
2.1 Applicable Scope
Only covers 60–12,000 lumen directional / non-directional replacement light sources: ✅ LED replacement bulbs, LED halogen replacement lamps; ✅ Self-ballasted LED integrated light sources (used only as replacement bulbs); ✅ Self-ballasted compact fluorescent lamps (CFL).
Products not covered by this standard, subject to SASO 2902:2018/AMD2:2023 Part 2: • Finished luminaires with non-removable light sources (downlights, panel lights, linear lights, pendant lights, floodlights); • Independent LED driver power supplies; • High-power lighting products with luminous flux >12,000lm.
Exempt products (no SASO 2870 energy efficiency certification required): ⚪ Signal lights, automotive/aviation dedicated lighting, infrared heating lamps, small built-in light sources for equipment, etc.
2.2 Core Technical Indicators
表格
| Indicator | Standard Requirement |
|---|---|
| Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) | Meet standard grading limits; eligible for energy efficiency label application only when compliant |
| Lumen Maintenance | ≥80% after 6,000 hours |
| Survival Rate | ≥90% after 6,000 hours |
| Switch Cycle Count | ≥ half of rated life (upper limit 15,000 cycles) |
| Start-up Time | ≤0.5 seconds |
| Color Rendering Index (CRI) | >80 |
| Color MacAdam Ellipse | <6 |
| Power Factor (PF) | Mandatory minimums set by power segment: 2-5W ≥0.4, 5-25W ≥0.5, >25W ≥0.9 |
| Energy Efficiency Label | Official EER energy efficiency grade label must be printed on product outer packaging |
Performance of self-ballasted LED bulbs refers to IEC 62612, and CFLs refer to IEC 60969; in terms of safety, LED bulbs adopt IEC 62560 and CFLs adopt IEC 60968, with IECEE CB reports issued respectively.
⚠️ IEC international reports alone cannot be directly used for Saudi energy efficiency registration. Testing must be supplemented with Saudi national deviations, and since 2025, new energy efficiency reports are mandatory to use the unified official SASO template.
3. Full Compliance Process
Complete Compliance Chain
Sample Testing → IECEE Safety Certificate + EER Energy Efficiency Registration → SABER PCoC Registration → SCoC Application per Shipment for Customs Clearance
Step 1: Product Sample Submission for Testing
Send samples to a SASO-accredited third-party laboratory to complete simultaneously: ▸ IEC safety test + Saudi national deviation test (for IECEE certificate); ▸ Full set of SASO 2870:2018/AMD1:2021 energy efficiency tests.
Step 2: Apply for IECEE Safety Certificate
With a qualified CB report + Saudi deviation test report, convert to a SASO IECEE recognized safety certificate, which is a mandatory document for SABER registration.
Step 3: EER Energy Efficiency Label Registration
With a qualified energy efficiency report, submit EER (Energy Efficiency Rating) energy efficiency label registration on the SASO energy efficiency platform; The EER certificate is valid for 1 year (subject to the certificate marking), requires renewal before expiration, and is the official 凭证 for products to affix Saudi energy efficiency labels.
Step 4: Register SABER Enterprise Account & Apply for PCoC (Product Certificate of Conformity)
- Register an official SABER enterprise account with the import/export enterprise business license;
- Upload test reports, IECEE safety certificate, EER energy efficiency certificate and product nameplate materials;
- Apply for PCoC: Issued by model, valid for multiple shipments of the same model;
- PCoC is valid for 1 year and requires annual audit and renewal.
Step 5: Apply for SCoC (Shipment Certificate of Conformity) Before Shipment
Before customs clearance for each shipment, submit invoice and packing list separately on SABER to apply for SCoC; SCoC is only valid for a single shipment with no annual validity. Customs clearance at Saudi customs cannot be completed without SCoC.
4. Two Main Certification Paths
表格
| Path | Description | Applicable Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| SASO 2870 Energy Efficiency + IECEE Safety + SABER | Full new testing, obtain EER, IECEE, PCoC and SCoC in sequence | Light source manufacturers without existing CB reports |
| IECEE CB Report Conversion | Hold a valid IEC CB report, supplement Saudi deviation test to convert to IECEE certificate, then complete EER energy efficiency | Enterprises with existing CB safety reports, can shorten testing cycle |
5. Practical Recommendations
- For new projects, prioritize laboratories with SASO qualifications, and confirm in advance that the test standard includes the AMD1 amendment;
- Reserve sufficient certification cycle to avoid order shipment delays;
- Distinguish product categories: replacement light sources follow 2870, integrated luminaires follow 2902. Standards cannot be mixed;
- Pay attention to real-time announcements on the SASO official website. Standard and template policy updates are subject to official notifications.
Quick Comparison of Three Major Saudi Lighting Energy Efficiency Standards
表格
| Standard Number | Regulated Products | Applicable Scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| SASO 2870:2018/AMD1:2021 Part 1 | 60-12,000lm replacement light sources | LED bulbs, halogen replacement lamps, self-ballasted fluorescent lamps |
| SASO 2902:2018/AMD2:2023 Part 2 | Integrated luminaires, drivers, >12,000lm light sources | Downlights, panel lights, linear lights, floodlights |
| SASO 2927:2019 | Road/tunnel lighting products | Street lights, outdoor tunnel floodlights |
Closing Remarks
The compliance framework for the Saudi LED lighting market is becoming increasingly 完善，with dual-track certification (IECEE safety + EER energy efficiency) + SABER electronic customs clearance having become a fixed model. Confirming the applicable standard category of products in advance and reserving sufficient testing and registration cycles are the keys to efficiently completing Saudi market access.
If you need assistance with SASO 2870 energy efficiency certification and SABER registration, welcome to contact the professional GTG team.
Note: The content of this article is compiled from SASO public policies and general industry compliance experience, for popular science reference only, and does not constitute official compliance judgment basis. Saudi standards and access policies are updated from time to time. Before product export, please refer to the latest announcements on the SASO official website, SABER platform and official guidance from accredited laboratories. GTG Testing Group reserves the final right of interpretation of service content.
The Lighting Testing Division of GTG Testing Group will continue to follow the latest developments in LED lighting regulations and provide professional compliance support for enterprises. If you need further understanding of regulatory details or certification consultation, welcome to contact us.
