Status note (reviewed September 2026): SASO technical regulations and the GSO standards they reference are updated periodically, and the limits below are taken from the Second Version of the SASO regulation. Before relying on them for a product launch or a shipment, confirm the current limit for your specific coating category against the SASO technical regulation for paints and varnishes and your SABER certification body — the applicable limit depends on the category your product is classified under, and industrial coatings are regulated separately from decorative and architectural ones.
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) limits for coatings in Saudi Arabia are not new — but enforcement through the SABER product conformity system has become increasingly rigorous, and the Vision 2030 development programme is pushing project specifications beyond what SASO minimum requirements demand. For paint manufacturers selling into the Saudi market in 2025 and beyond, understanding and meeting these limits is now a prerequisite for market access, not an optional consideration. This guide covers every relevant limit, measurement method, and raw material strategy for compliance.
Key standard: Saudi Arabia sets VOC limits for decorative and architectural coatings in the SASO Technical Regulation for Paints and Varnishes, with VOC measured to SASO GSO ISO 11890. There is no single universal VOC limit across all coatings: the applicable figure depends on the product category, and industrial and protective coatings sit under a separate régime from architectural ones. This is enforced through the SABER product conformity system, which requires third-party certification before products can be placed on the Saudi market.
VOC limits by product category
| Product category | Class A limit (g/L) | Class B limit (g/L) |
|---|---|---|
| Emulsion paints — interior matt wall and ceiling paints | 30 | 50 |
| Emulsion paints — surface layer paints (primers, one or more coats) | 150 | 150 |
| Emulsion paints — other water-based paints | 100 | 150 |
| Oil paints and varnishes | 380 | 500 |
Source: Annex 1 of the SASO Technical Regulation for Paints (Dyes) and Varnishes (opens in a new tab), Second Version. Classes A and B are the regulation's two environmental-performance classifications; VOC is determined to SASO GSO ISO 11890-1 or 11890-2. The regulation covers paints and varnishes used in residential and commercial buildings and public utilities; industrial and protective coatings are not listed in this table.
SABER Certification — What It Means for VOC
SABER is the electronic conformity platform operated under SALEEM, the Saudi Product Safety Programme. Regulated products must be certified through it before they can enter Saudi Arabia. For paints and varnishes covered by the SASO regulation:
- The manufacturer must have the product tested by a SABER-recognised certification body (CB).
- VOC testing must be done by an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory using SASO GSO ISO 11890-1 or 11890-2.
- A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is issued against the product and registered in SABER; it is typically valid for one year.
- A Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) is then required for each consignment and can only be issued against a valid PCoC. Shipments without a valid SCoC are liable to be detained at Saudi customs.
Raw Material Strategies for VOC Compliance
The most effective approach to VOC reduction depends on your current system type:
- Waterborne systems already at target: Review your coalescent. Texanol (2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate) is the standard low-VOC coalescent for emulsion paints. Some coalescents classified as VOC-exempt in the US (e.g. acetone) are not exempt under EU or GSO definitions — check the applicable standard.
- Solventborne alkyds: The most challenging to bring within the SASO limits (380 g/L Class A for oil paints and varnishes). Options: switch to waterborne alkyd emulsion (eliminates hydrocarbon solvent), use mineral spirits content reduction with reactive diluents, or position the product as an industrial coating, which falls outside the building-paints regulation (confirm the classification with your certification body).
- Two-pack epoxy and PU systems: Industrial coatings are not covered by the building-paints VOC table. However, for Vision 2030 LEED-specified projects, the project specification overrides SASO minimum limits — these projects often require <100 g/L VOC for protective coatings.