DEKRA extends its certification services in the Middle East
DEKRA authorized by SASO to facilitate the Saudi Quality Mark (SQM)
DEKRA has been authorized by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) to facilitate the Saudi Quality Mark (SQM) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The SQM is a certification mark that ensures that products entering the Saudi market meet certain quality and safety requirements. Initially, SQM was only mandatory for some non-electrical products, but since 2020, some electrical products such as strips, plugs and socket outlets, are also part of the list.
"We are proud to announce our recent authorization from SASO to facilitate the Saudi Quality Mark (SQM). This achievement strongly aligns with our mission to empower businesses for success in global markets. The SQM not only symbolizes our customers' unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and performance, but also unlocks international opportunities for them. Additionally, with this authorization, DEKRA becomes a more complete service provider for the Middle East, especially for electrical and electronic products”, said César Valencia, Product Certification & Global Market Access Business Line Director of Digital & Product Solutions at DEKRA.
The Saudi government may require certain products to have the Saudi Quality Mark to be legally imported and sold in the country, so manufacturers and importers without the necessary certifications may face barriers in marketing their products into the country.
SQM is a license service, which means that obtaining the SQM involves a licensing process. It consists of checking the product’s compliance to the Saudi technical regulations, testing against SASO standards´ requirements, and periodic audits of the production facility to evaluate the manufacturer’s production process and quality system. The validity of the SQM license is 3 years. SQM differs from SABER certification and it is not requested via the SABER platform.
In addition to SQM, DEKRA provides additional services in Saudi Arabia. DEKRA is a Certification Body for Saudi Arabia, covering geographical areas of Europe, Asia, and Australia. DEKRA labs are authorized by SASO for Energy Efficiency Registration (EER), and DEKRA can support customers with IECEE and RF (CST) certifications.
Additionally, DEKRA operates in other Middle East countries as a GSO Notified Body for G Mark, is authorized by Dubai, Qatar and Kuwait Civil Defenses for fire protection devices, and offers testing and certification services in UAE, Bahrain and Oman, as well.
- (L to R) César Valencia, Product Certification & Global Market Access Business Line Director of Digital & Product Solutions at DEKRA and Mohammed Alsanea, Director of Quality Mark Department at SASO (Photo: DEKRA) (JPG, 437 KB)
- Press Release: DEKRA extends its certification services in the Middle East (PDF, 88 KB)