SASO Enforces New ICT Energy Efficiency Standard SASO IEC 62301:2026

Saudi Arabia’s Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) enforced a revised energy efficiency standard for ICT terminal equipment—SASO IEC 62301:2026—on April 17, 2026. The update directly affects Chinese exporters of smartphones, chargers, set-top boxes, and network cameras, requiring retesting and recertification ahead of mandatory market access reviews beginning in June 2026.

Event Overview

On April 17, 2026, SASO officially implemented the updated standard SASO IEC 62301:2026 for information and communication technology (ICT) terminal devices. The standard aligns fully with IEC 62301:2026 Ed.3.0 and applies to products including smartphone chargers, set-top boxes, and network cameras. Key technical changes include adoption of the latest test methodology and a 15% tightening of standby power consumption limits. Certification laboratories in Shenzhen and Dongguan have activated expedited testing services, reducing average certification turnaround time to 12 working days.

Industries Affected

Direct Exporters of Consumer Electronics

Exporters shipping ICT terminal devices to Saudi Arabia must now comply with the revised standby power requirements. Non-compliant products risk rejection at customs or withdrawal from the Saudi market starting in June 2026. Re-testing is mandatory—even for previously certified models—due to changes in measurement procedures and tightened thresholds.

Contract Manufacturers & OEMs

Manufacturers producing under private labels or for international brands face upstream compliance pressure. Product designs validated under prior versions of SASO IEC 62301 no longer satisfy the new limit values or test conditions. Firmware updates, power supply redesigns, or component substitutions may be required to meet the 15% lower standby power ceiling.

Certification & Testing Service Providers

Laboratories accredited for SASO certification are adjusting test protocols to reflect IEC 62301:2026 Ed.3.0. Those in Shenzhen and Dongguan have prioritized capacity expansion for ICT device testing, with documented lead times reduced to 12 working days. Demand for expedited services is rising, particularly for shipments scheduled between May and June 2026.

Key Considerations and Recommended Actions

Monitor official SASO communications for transitional provisions

While enforcement began April 17, 2026, SASO has not publicly confirmed whether grandfathering or grace periods apply to inventory already in transit or warehoused in Saudi Arabia. Exporters should track updates via SASO’s official portal and authorized conformity assessment bodies.

Prioritize retesting for high-volume, high-risk product categories

Smartphone chargers and set-top boxes represent the largest export volumes among covered devices and are most likely to exceed the revised standby power limits. Firms should identify these SKUs first and allocate testing resources accordingly.

Distinguish between regulatory signal and operational readiness

The April 17 enforcement date marks formal adoption—not necessarily immediate inspection at ports. However, SASO has indicated that full compliance will be verified during the next round of market surveillance, expected to begin in June 2026. Preemptive certification is advisable rather than waiting for enforcement actions.

Align internal timelines with lab capacity and shipping windows

With average certification now taking 12 working days—and potential bottlenecks during peak demand—exporters should submit samples by early May 2026 to ensure certified units arrive in Saudi Arabia before mid-June. Coordination between R&D, QA, logistics, and certification teams is critical to avoid shipment delays.

Editorial Perspective / Industry Observation

From an industry perspective, this update is less a sudden policy shift and more a synchronized alignment with global best practices—specifically the third edition of IEC 62301. Analysis来看, the 15% reduction in standby power limits reflects growing regional emphasis on energy conservation in consumer electronics, consistent with broader Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) sustainability goals. Observation来看, SASO’s rapid rollout of expedited lab pathways suggests institutional readiness to support trade continuity—but also signals stricter enforcement discipline moving forward. Current implementation appears focused on ICT terminals, and it is not yet confirmed whether adjacent categories (e.g., smart speakers or IoT hubs) will fall under future scope expansions. This makes ongoing monitoring of SASO’s technical circulars essential.

Conclusion

This standard revision represents a concrete compliance milestone—not merely a procedural update—for Chinese exporters targeting the Saudi ICT market. It underscores that energy efficiency requirements are evolving beyond basic labeling into enforceable, test-driven performance thresholds. Rather than treating it as an isolated certification task, firms are better served by integrating such regulatory updates into their product lifecycle planning and supplier qualification processes. Currently, the measure is best understood as an operational requirement with near-term execution deadlines—not a strategic pivot, but a necessary calibration for continued market access.

Information Source

Main source: Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) official announcement dated April 17, 2026. Ongoing verification of transitional arrangements and scope applicability remains pending and requires continued observation of SASO’s public notices and authorized body bulletins.