Additional EN and US standards can now be used for selected products under Saudi Arabia's PPE Technical Regulation.
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) has issued a circular allowing the acceptance of additional EN and US standards as the basis for test reports supporting the issuance of Certificates of Conformity (COCs) for products covered under Saudi Arabia's Technical Regulation for Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing (PPE).
The newly accepted standards may be applied alongside the standards currently referenced in the Technical Regulation and will be recognized in accordance with the conformity assessment procedures established under the regulation.
According to SASO, the arrangement is temporary and will remain effective until the Annex of Standards within the Technical Regulation is updated, or until further notice is issued by the authority.
Broader Recognition of International Standards
The update expands the range of standards that may be used to support conformity assessment activities for a variety of PPE product categories. The additional standards cover products including:
Head protection
Face protection
Eye protection
Passive welding protection
Active welding protection
Fall protection
Disposable coveralls
Disposable respirators
Reusable respirators
Powered air purifying respirators
Supplied air respirators
Escape devices
Industrial SCBA
Fire SCB
The accepted standards include a range of internationally recognized EN and US specifications commonly used for personal protective equipment testing and certification.
What Does This Mean for Manufacturers and Exporters?
The update may provide additional pathways for demonstrating compliance with Saudi Arabia's PPE Technical Regulation by allowing test reports based on the newly accepted standards to support CoC issuance for applicable products.
Manufacturers, exporters, and suppliers of PPE products should review the newly accepted standards and determine whether they may be applicable to their certification activities for products destined for the Saudi market.
How Cotecna Can Help
As an approved Conformity Assessment Body, Cotecna supports manufacturers and exporters in understanding Saudi market access requirements and obtaining Certificates of Conformity for regulated products.
For assistance with PPE certification requirements and applicable standards for Saudi Arabia, contact Cotecna's experts.
You can also download our SASO Exporter Guide to find out more about the programme requirements.
About Cotecna
For over 50 years, we have been supporting agriculture, food and pharma, minerals and metals, and consumer products supply chains all over the world. We provide testing, inspection, and certification services to help our clients navigate evolving regulations, ensure product compliance, and support their sustainability journey.