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Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Org. (SASO)

• SASO was established in 1972 as an Independent Government Body Responsible for all Standardization Activities, under the Name of Saudi Arabian Standards Org. (SASO)

• Since Feb, 2009, SASO Name has been changed to Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Org., which extends SASO’s responsibilities to cover the supervision of Introducing/Executing Quality initiatives to the Kingdom.

About SASO

• Our Vision

“Achieve regional leadership as a scientific reference body in the

fields of standardization and conformity assessment “

” • Our Mission

“Elevate the standards and quality of products and services to

protect the consumer and to strengthen the competitiveness of

the national economy “

. ”

Our Vision & Mission

• Preparation, approval and Publishing of National Standards and Technical Regulations relating to products, measurement, metrology, calibration, marking, sampling, inspection, testing, symbols, definitions

• Promoting awareness for standardization & Quality

• Setting up rules for implementing and granting Conformity Assessment Procedures.

SASO Responsibilities

• Oversee the National Measurement & Calibration Center (NMCC)

• Representation of KSA in Regional and International Organizations

• Enquiry Point for TBT (WTO) & In Charge of Notifications

SASO Responsibilities – (Cont’d)

• 666 Employees

• Developed/Adopted ≈ 29021 Standards/Technical Regulations

• Granted ≈ 131 factories the Saudi Quality Mark

(among which 15 in UAE, 4 in Qatar, 4 in Bahrain, 12 in Egypt, 2 in Jordan, 4 in China, 1 in Italy, 1 in India, 1 in Thailand).

• Tests about 6,000 samples annually

• Technical Committees: 19.

SASO in Figures

• SASO has signed Technical Cooperation Programs with about 40 SDO’s all over the world.

• 21 Mutual Recognition Programs(MRP’s), signed with:

Turkey, Malaysia, Tunisia, South Africa, Jordan, Egypt, Argentina, South Korea, China, Germany, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Pakistan.

• In addition, 97 Laboratories have been Accredited by the Saudi Accreditation Committee (SAC).

SASO in Figures (Cont’d)

SASO is a Member of the following Orgs.:

Member of SMIIC.

An Affiliate Member in ILAC

SASO at the Regional and International Level

How SASO prepare technical regulations & standards?

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• SASO is responsible of issuing all the technical

regulations & standards in the KSA for all the sectors

except for food and agriculture products,

pharmaceutical, cosmetics and medical devices.

• SASO Board of Directors , is chaired by H.E. the

Minister of Commerce and Industry, Composed of (12)

Representatives from the major Concerned Government

and Private Sectors.

• All our TRs & standards are prepared according to

SASO technical directive which follow the

requirements of the TBT Agreement.

How SASO prepare technical regulations & standards? (Cont.)

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• The Code of Good Practice is implemented.

• Maintaining safety, public health and consumer

protection

• Preserving the public interest (religious, cultural,

national security)

• Based on international standards

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SASO & WTO Agreements

• During accession of Saudi Arabia to WTO, SASO was in charge of TBT, and food standards in SPS.

• SASO has updated all its regulations including more Harmonization with International Standards, in addition to Conformity Assessment Procedures according to WTO agreements.

SASO & WTO Agreements (Cont.)

-We have our Information Center since 1985,which responses to all enquiries.

-Now; the center of beneficiaries services is the Enquiry Point for the TBT in Saudi Arabia. It carries-out all the tasks required by the agreement.

-SASO is in charge of Notifications to WTO.

Thank you for listening and kind attention.