SABER Certification for Imported Pigments & Resins — What You Need to Know
SABER — Saudi Arabia's Product Conformity System — has transformed how chemical raw materials and finished coatings enter the Saudi market. For paint and coating manufacturers in the UAE or internationally who sell finished products into Saudi Arabia, SABER compliance is now a non-negotiable commercial requirement. This guide explains exactly what SABER is, which products it applies to in the coatings sector, and how to navigate certification for raw material imports and finished products.
Important: Shipments without valid SABER certificates for regulated products will be detained at Saudi ports of entry. This can result in significant delays, storage costs, and potential destruction of goods. Planning certification in advance is critical.
What is SABER and How Does It Work?
SABER (Saudi Product Safety Program — سابر) is the mandatory product conformity certification programme managed by SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization). It replaced the older SASO certificate of conformity system and operates as an online platform (saber.sa) where:
- Manufacturers register their products and request conformity certificates from SABER-recognised certification bodies (CBs).
- Certification bodies review documentation, arrange laboratory testing, and issue Product Conformity Certificates (PCCs).
- When goods arrive at Saudi ports, the Shipment Conformity Certificate (SCC) is generated and verified against the PCC in the SABER system.
- Customs releases the shipment only when all certificates are verified and valid in the SABER system.
SABER Certification Process — Step by Step
| Step | Action | Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify applicable Saudi Technical Regulation (STR) | 1–3 days | Use SABER platform or consult Saudi customs broker |
| 2 | Register on SABER platform (saber.sa) | 1–2 days | Manufacturer or Saudi importer can register |
| 3 | Select an approved Certification Body (CB) | 1 day | Use a SABER-recognised CB; fees vary |
| 4 | Submit product documentation to CB | 3–5 days | Technical file: SDS, formulation summary, test reports, label |
| 5 | Laboratory testing (if required) | 2–4 weeks | VOC, heavy metals, flashpoint, chemical safety tests |
| 6 | CB issues Product Conformity Certificate (PCC) | 3–5 days after testing | Valid for 1 year; linked to SABER system |
| 7 | Generate Shipment Conformity Certificate (SCC) | Before each shipment | Each shipment needs an SCC linked to the PCC |
| 8 | Annual renewal of PCC | Annually | Renewal testing may be required if formulation changed |
Documentation Typically Required
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS) in English and Arabic — GHS/UN format
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS) with full performance specifications
- Product label compliant with SASO labelling requirements
- Test reports from ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory (VOC, heavy metals, relevant safety tests)
- Formulation summary (trade-secret protection is available — full formulation not required)
- Manufacturer quality certifications (ISO 9001, ISO 14001 — not mandatory but accelerates CB review)
SABER for Raw Material Importers — Key Considerations
If you are importing raw materials (pigments, resins, solvents) for use in paint manufacturing in Saudi Arabia, note that most industrial raw materials are not subject to SABER certification themselves. The SABER system primarily targets finished consumer and commercial products. However:
- If you are importing finished paint or coating products (even in large industrial quantities), SABER applies to those finished goods.
- Certain chemicals subject to Saudi hazardous materials regulations may require import permits separately from SABER — consult your Saudi customs broker for the current list.
- REACH and GHS compliance documentation (SDS) is required for all chemical imports regardless of SABER status.
How Raykem Supports SABER Compliance
Raykem supplies all chemicals with full GHS-compliant Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Certificates of Analysis (COA), and Technical Data Sheets (TDS) — the core documentation needed for SABER product files. Our documentation service includes provision of SDS in both English and Arabic to support Saudi market entry. Our Riyadh office team can introduce you to SABER-authorised certification bodies and assist with the documentation requirements for your specific product categories. Contact us for support.
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Request a Quote →Frequently Asked Questions
SABER certification is required for products covered by regulated Saudi Technical Regulations (STRs). For the coatings industry, this includes: finished paint and coating products regulated under GSO 1914 (VOC limits); some resin systems subject to chemical safety standards; and hazardous chemical imports subject to SASO safety regulations. Basic raw materials (solvents, pigments, resins for industrial use) may not require SABER certificates themselves, but the finished coatings made from them do require SABER before entering Saudi retail or commercial channels. Always confirm the current regulatory status with your Saudi customs broker, as SABER scope evolves regularly.
SABER certification typically takes 4–8 weeks from submission to certificate issuance, assuming all required documentation is in order. The cost varies by certification body and product category but typically ranges from USD 500–2,000 per product SKU for annual certification. Products must be re-certified annually. Test reports from ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories are required and may add additional cost if not already available. Raykem can connect UAE and GCC-based paint manufacturers with SABER-authorised certification bodies — contact our Riyadh office for introductions.
UAE and Saudi Arabia both adopt GSO (Gulf Standardisation Organisation) standards, so many limits are harmonised. However, enforcement mechanisms differ: SABER is Saudi Arabia's mandatory product conformity system, while UAE uses ESMA (Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology) and the Conformity Mark (ECAS). A product that passes Saudi SABER testing will generally meet UAE ESMA requirements for the same category, but separate registration and conformity certificates are typically required for each market. Some project-specific specifications in UAE (Abu Dhabi, ADNOC) may impose additional requirements beyond the national minimum.
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