SASO 2.0 Certification for Lighting:
The Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about SASO 2.0 and SABER registration for LED lighting products — requirements, process, timeline, costs, and common pitfalls to avoid.
Jump to what you need
What is SASO 2.0?
Understanding the standard and why it matters
02Requirements
What tests and documents are needed
03Certification Process
Step-by-step from application to shipment
04SABER Registration
How SABER fits into the process
05Timeline & Costs
How long it takes and what it costs
06Common Pitfalls
Mistakes that delay your shipment
What is SASO 2.0?
SASO 2.0 is the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization’s updated energy efficiency and safety standard for lighting products. It replaced the original SASO standard in 2023 and sets stricter requirements for efficacy, safety, and labeling of all LED lighting products sold in Saudi Arabia.
If you’re specifying lighting for a project in Saudi Arabia, every fixture must be SASO 2.0 certified before it can clear customs. Without proper certification, your shipment will be held — or worse, rejected and returned.
Which products need SASO 2.0?
- LED downlights and spotlights
- LED track lighting systems
- LED linear lighting and profiles
- LED panels and troffers
- Outdoor LED fixtures (IP65+)
- LED drivers and control gear
- Decorative LED fixtures and chandeliers
Key Facts
- Issued by: SASO (Saudi Arabian Standards Organization)
- Enforced via: SABER platform
- Validity: 3 years per certificate
- Testing: Must be done by SASO-recognized labs
- Required for: All LED lighting products
What’s actually required?
Energy Efficiency
Minimum efficacy requirements based on fixture type. Downlights must reach ≥85 lm/W, track lights ≥90 lm/W, linear fixtures ≥100 lm/W.
Safety (IEC 62722)
Full electrical safety testing per IEC 62722-2-1 for LED luminaires. Includes dielectric strength, creepage, insulation resistance, and thermal tests.
EMC (CISPR 15)
Electromagnetic compatibility testing per CISPR 15. Both radiated and conducted emissions must meet SASO limits.
Labeling & Marking
Arabic + English marking on each fixture. Must include rated power, voltage, model number, manufacturer, and SASO reference.
Technical Documentation
Full technical file required: schematics, BOM, test reports, user manual (Arabic + English), and risk assessment.
Thermal Performance
Thermal testing to verify rated lifetime claims. TM-21 extrapolation data and temperature rise measurements required.
The certification process step by step
Product Evaluation
Review the fixture against SASO 2.0 requirements. Identify any gaps in design or documentation that need to be addressed before testing.
Sample Preparation
Prepare 5–10 samples per model with proper labeling and documentation. Samples must be production-representative.
Lab Testing
Send samples to a SASO-recognized testing laboratory. Testing covers safety, EMC, photometrics, and thermal performance.
Timeline: 2–4 weeks
Technical File Review
Compile all test reports, technical drawings, labeling, and documentation into a complete technical file for SASO review.
Certificate Issuance
SASO reviews the technical file and issues the Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC). Valid for 3 years.
Timeline: 1–2 weeks after testing
SABER Registration
Register the certificate on the SABER platform. Each shipment requires a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) for customs clearance.
What is SABER and why does it matter?
SABER is the Saudi electronic system for managing product conformity assessments. It’s the gateway through which all SASO-certified products must pass before entering the Saudi market.
How SABER works for lighting projects
- Product Registration — Each certified product model is registered in SABER with its PCoC
- Shipment Declaration — Before shipping, declare the products and quantities on SABER
- SCoC Issuance — SABER issues a Shipment Certificate of Conformity for each shipment
- Customs Clearance — The SCoC is presented to Saudi customs for clearance
Important: If a product isn’t properly registered in SABER, it won’t clear customs — even if it has a valid test report. SABER registration is the final, critical step.
Common SABER Mistakes
- Waiting until shipment to register — allow 3–5 business days
- Incorrect product model numbers
- Missing Arabic labeling documentation
- Forgetting to register each model individually
How long does it take, and what does it cost?
Standard Timeline
From sample submission to certificate issuance for a single fixture model.
- Testing: 2–4 weeks
- Documentation: 1 week
- SASO review: 1–2 weeks
- SABER registration: 3–5 days
With Yakeen (Pre-Certified)
Our standard product range is already SASO 2.0 certified. You don’t wait — we ship.
- ✓ Pre-certified product range
- ✓ SABER-registered models
- ✓ Full documentation package
- ✓ Customs clearance support
Custom Projects
For custom or modified fixtures that need new certification. We manage the entire process for you.
- Parallel prototyping + testing
- Full certification management
- SABER registration included
- Dedicated engineering contact
Common mistakes that delay your project
Assuming CE = SASO
CE certification does NOT equal SASO 2.0. The standards have different test methods, different limits, and different documentation requirements. Don’t assume a CE-marked product will pass.
Skipping SABER registration
A test report alone isn’t enough. Products must be registered on the SABER platform with a valid PCoC before shipment. Otherwise, customs will hold your goods.
Wrong model numbers
The model number on the certificate, the SABER registration, the packaging, and the fixture must all match exactly. Even a small typo causes customs rejection.
No Arabic labeling
SASO 2.0 requires Arabic + English labeling on every fixture and its packaging. No Arabic = no clearance.
Testing with wrong samples
Samples sent for testing must be production-representative. If you test a prototype but ship a different version, the certificate is invalid.
Waiting too late
Certification takes 6–8 weeks minimum. If you start the process when the project is already in production, you’re already behind.
SASO-specified, shipped on time.
We specialize in Saudi Arabian lighting projects. Our standard product range is already SASO 2.0 certified and SABER-registered. For custom projects, we manage the entire certification process so you don’t have to.
Pre-certified range
Our standard downlights, track lights, and linear systems are all SASO 2.0 certified. No waiting, no surprises.
SABER-ready
All certified models are pre-registered on SABER. We handle the SCoC for every shipment.
Custom certification
Need a custom fixture? We run parallel prototyping and certification to keep your project on schedule.
Documentation package
Every project comes with a complete submittal package: certificates, test reports, datasheets, and SABER confirmations.
Related resources for Saudi projects
Get SASO-certified lighting without the hassle.
Send us your specification or BOQ. We’ll come back with a full proposal using our pre-certified product range — or we’ll manage custom certification for your unique fixtures.
Working on a project?
Let's talk about your lighting requirements. We'll give you an honest assessment of what we can do, what it costs, and how long it takes. No pressure, no fluff.
Start Your Project