CROSS-STANDARD public interest · Refrigerator / cold appliance
China-to-Saudi Arabia Household Refrigerator Compliance Gap Matrix
AI-compiled from official public sources — cross-checked by multiple AI models, not human-verified. Informational only; see disclaimer. Public-interest, source-linked comparison of Chinese household refrigerator compliance (CCC, GB 4706.13, GB 12021.2) against Saudi Arabia's SABER platform requirements: Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC), SASO 2663 / SASO 2892 energy efficiency MEPS, IEC 60335-2-24 electrical safety, SEEC energy label, and R600a refrigerant handling.
Dataset 2026-06-11
Last verified 2026-06-12
7 rows
GAP MATRIX
Compliance Gap Matrix
| Compliance item | Common China baseline | Saudi Arabia (SASO/SABER) | Gap / action | Source + verification date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMC — Household Refrigerating Appliances (SASO / SABER + IEC CISPR 14 series) | China's EMC requirements for household appliances (including refrigerators) are primarily governed by GB 4343.1-2018 (Electromagnetic disturbance characteristics of household appliances, electric tools and similar apparatus — Part 1: Emission limits and measurement methods; mandatory, equivalent to CISPR 14-1:2016) and GB/T 4343.2-2020 (Part 2: Immunity — product family standard; recommended, equivalent to CISPR 14-2:2015). For harmonic emissions, GB 17625.1-2022 (mandatory, IDT IEC 61000-3-2:2020) applies. These standards are enforced under the CCC mandatory certification regime administered by SAMR/CNCA. Test reports generated by CNAS-accredited Chinese laboratories against GB 4343.1 are not directly accepted as the basis for a Saudi Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) under the SASO/SABER regime.GB 4343.1-2018 — Electromagnetic disturbance characteristics of household appliances, electric tools and similar apparatus — Part 1: Emission limits and measurement methods (mandatory; equivalent to CISPR 14-1:2016; enforced under CCC by SAMR/CNCA) GB/T 4343.2-2020 — Part 2: Immunity — product family standard (recommended; equivalent to CISPR 14-2:2015) GB 17625.1-2022 — Limits for harmonic current emissions ≤ 16 A/phase (mandatory; IDT IEC 61000-3-2:2020) |
Household refrigerating appliances placed on the Saudi market must satisfy the electromagnetic compatibility requirements assessed under the SASO technical regulation regime and verified through the SABER conformity-assessment platform. SASO adopts the IEC CISPR 14 series for household-appliance EMC: the primary emission standard is IEC CISPR 14-1 (Electromagnetic compatibility — Requirements for household appliances, electric tools and similar apparatus — Part 1: Emission), and the immunity standard is IEC CISPR 14-2 (Part 2: Immunity — product family standard). These cover conducted and radiated disturbance limits for appliances whose mains supply frequencies are between 0 Hz and 400 Hz, including induction motors and switching electronics (relevant for modern inverter-driven compressors). EMC test data forms part of the technical file underlying the Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC); EMC compliance is demonstrated to a SASO-accepted (IECEE CB Scheme / ILAC MRA) laboratory standard rather than self-declared, and the PCoC is issued to the Saudi importer through SABER. Note the Saudi grid is 230/400 V, 60 Hz — emission/immunity test configurations must reflect the 60 Hz supply.SASO / SABER conformity-assessment regime — EMC requirements for regulated household appliances IEC CISPR 14-1 — Electromagnetic compatibility — Requirements for household appliances, electric tools and similar apparatus — Part 1: Emission (adopted via SASO) IEC CISPR 14-2 — Part 2: Immunity — product family standard (adopted via SASO) IEC 61000-3-2 — Limits for harmonic current emissions (≤ 16 A/phase input) — supplementary where applicable IEC 61000-3-3 — Voltage fluctuations and flicker — supplementary where applicable |
Because both China (GB 4343.1) and Saudi Arabia (SASO-adopted CISPR 14) ultimately derive from the IEC CISPR 14 family, the technical content gap is often limited. However, procedural gaps remain: (1) Conformity-assessment route — Saudi market access is via a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and per-shipment SCoC issued on the SABER platform to a Saudi importer, not via Chinese CCC or manufacturer self-declaration; EMC test reports must be from a SASO-accepted laboratory (commonly IECEE CB Scheme reports plus a CB certificate, or ILAC MRA-accredited reports). CNAS-only GB reports cannot substitute without acceptance by the SABER-notified body. (2) Supply-frequency configuration — the Saudi grid is 60 Hz; test data generated solely under a 50 Hz configuration may need confirmation that emission/immunity behaviour is covered for 60 Hz operation. (3) Inverter compressor models — modern refrigerators with variable-speed inverter compressors may generate additional EMC phenomena; manufacturers should verify coverage of inverter-specific emission test configurations in their existing data against the SASO-adopted CISPR 14-1 edition before test-data re-use.[INFORMATIONAL] EMC compliance to SASO-adopted IEC CISPR 14-1 (emission) and CISPR 14-2 (immunity) is required for Saudi market placement of household refrigerators and is assessed through the SABER PCoC/SCoC process. Chinese CCC EMC test data (GB 4343.1-2018) cannot be directly used; reports from a SASO-accepted (IECEE CB / ILAC MRA) laboratory are required, and the Saudi importer must obtain the PCoC and per-shipment SCoC. Confirm 60 Hz supply coverage and, for inverter-compressor models, CISPR 14-1 test coverage. | SABER platform / Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO)2026-06-15 · reference |
| Energy Efficiency MEPS — Household Refrigerating Appliances (SASO 2663 / SASO 2892) | China's mandatory energy efficiency standard for household refrigerating appliances is GB 12021.2-2015 (Minimum allowable values of energy efficiency and energy efficiency grades for household refrigerators). It establishes energy efficiency grades (Grade 1 most efficient, Grade 5 minimum threshold) and minimum annual energy consumption limits. The standard is mandatory (GB) and enforced by SAMR under the energy labelling system administered by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). Products must display the China Energy Label (CEL) before sale. The GB 12021.2 framework uses a different test methodology and is benchmarked to temperate operating conditions, whereas SASO 2892 is calibrated for high-ambient Gulf conditions — Chinese energy grades and Saudi MEPS results are not directly comparable.GB 12021.2-2015 — Minimum allowable values of energy efficiency and energy efficiency grades for household refrigerators (mandatory; enforced by SAMR/NDRC under China Energy Label system) GB/T 8059-2016 — Household and similar refrigerating appliances (test method standard, aligned with IEC 62552 series) |
Saudi Arabia sets minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for household refrigerating appliances through SASO 2663 and the updated SASO 2892 (Energy efficiency, labelling and minimum energy performance requirements for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers and freezers). These MEPS are among the world's strictest for refrigerators because they are calibrated for high-ambient Gulf operating conditions and are enforced as a market-access gate via SABER. Key requirements include: (1) a minimum Energy Efficiency Ratio / maximum allowable annual energy consumption derived from rated volume, climate class and a reference-consumption formula set out in the standard; (2) testing under high-ambient conditions reflecting the Saudi climate (T-class, ambient up to 43 °C) — temperate-climate (e.g., 25 °C) test data does not demonstrate compliance; (3) an energy efficiency rating (star/grade scale) that must appear on the SEEC energy label; and (4) entry of the model's technical parameters and energy data into the technical file supporting the Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) on SABER. Models that do not meet the SASO 2892 MEPS threshold cannot obtain a PCoC and cannot be placed on the Saudi market.SASO 2892 — Energy efficiency, labelling and minimum energy performance requirements for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers and freezers (updated MEPS; high-ambient calibrated) SASO 2663 — Energy efficiency requirements / labelling for refrigerating appliances (earlier MEPS edition) IEC 62552 series — Household refrigerating appliances — Characteristics and test methods (basis for measurement, applied at high-ambient/T-class conditions) |
Three major gaps exist between Chinese energy compliance and Saudi MEPS: (1) High-ambient test conditions — SASO 2892 is tested at high-ambient (T-class, up to 43 °C) conditions reflecting the Gulf climate, which is substantially more demanding than the temperate conditions underlying GB 12021.2. A Chinese Grade 1 or Grade 2 rating does NOT guarantee compliance with the SASO 2892 MEPS threshold; the appliance must be re-tested or re-rated under Saudi conditions. (2) Different MEPS framework — SASO 2892 specifies its own minimum-performance formula and energy rating scale; the Chinese 1–5 grade does not map onto it. (3) SABER/PCoC gate — the model's energy data must be embedded in the technical file underlying the Product Certificate of Conformity; a non-compliant model cannot be registered on SABER and therefore cannot be imported. Measurement to the IEC 62552 series at high-ambient conditions is required.[INFORMATIONAL] SASO 2892 / SASO 2663 MEPS are legally binding for Saudi market placement of household refrigerators and are among the world's strictest, being calibrated for high-ambient Gulf conditions. Chinese GB 12021.2 energy grades do not substitute — measurement to IEC 62552 at high-ambient (T-class) conditions and re-rating to the SASO MEPS framework are required. A model failing the SASO 2892 threshold cannot obtain a PCoC on SABER and cannot legally be imported. | Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO)2026-06-15 · reference |
| Energy Labelling — Saudi SEEC Energy Label + SABER Registration | China's energy labelling for household refrigerators is governed by the China Energy Label (CEL) system under the Measures for the Administration of Energy Efficiency Labels (NDRC/SAMR, revised 2016). The China Energy Label displays a 1-to-5 grade scale (1 highest, 5 minimum threshold) and annual energy consumption, in Chinese. Labels are administered by the China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS) under NDRC/SAMR. Manufacturers self-declare grade based on testing against GB 12021.2 under temperate conditions. The Chinese CEL label and the Saudi SEEC label are structurally different, use different rating scales, are in different languages, and are based on different (temperate vs high-ambient) test conditions — they are not cross-comparable and the CEL cannot serve as the Saudi label.Measures for the Administration of Energy Efficiency Labels (NDRC/SAMR 2016 revision) — China Energy Label framework GB 12021.2-2015 — Minimum allowable values of energy efficiency and energy efficiency grades for household refrigerators (underlying grade standard) |
Household refrigerating appliances placed on the Saudi market must bear the Saudi energy efficiency label developed under the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC) programme and adopted through SASO 2892 / SASO 2663. The SEEC energy label displays the appliance's energy efficiency rating (star/grade scale), rated annual energy consumption, total/compartment volumes, and the model identifier, in Arabic. The label rating must be substantiated by high-ambient (T-class) test data per the SASO MEPS standard. Before the goods can be imported, the Saudi importer must register the product model on the SABER platform, obtain a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) confirming MEPS and labelling compliance, and then obtain a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) for each consignment. The SEEC label artwork must be affixed to the appliance for retail sale in Saudi Arabia.SASO 2892 / SASO 2663 — energy efficiency labelling provisions for refrigerating appliances (SEEC energy label format and rating scale) Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC) — energy labelling programme SABER platform (saber.sa) — mandatory product registration and Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) before import |
Two mandatory actions with no usable Chinese equivalent: (1) SABER registration + PCoC — each model must be registered on the SABER platform and obtain a Product Certificate of Conformity confirming SASO 2892 MEPS and SEEC labelling compliance before import; the Saudi importer (not the Chinese manufacturer) holds the PCoC, and a per-shipment SCoC is then required for customs clearance at ports such as Jeddah and Dammam. (2) Saudi SEEC energy label — the Arabic-language SEEC label, with a rating substantiated by high-ambient (T-class) test data, must be affixed to the product for retail sale. The Chinese CEL label cannot be re-used: it is in Chinese, uses a different rating scale, and reflects temperate (not high-ambient) test conditions. Failure to register on SABER or to apply the SEEC label is a market-access blocker — goods will not clear customs without a valid SCoC.[INFORMATIONAL] SABER registration with a Product Certificate of Conformity, per-shipment SCoC, and the Arabic SEEC energy label are mandatory hard gates for Saudi market access for household refrigerators. Chinese exporters must support their Saudi importer in completing SABER/PCoC registration (with high-ambient IEC 62552 measurement and SASO MEPS rating) before any unit enters the Saudi market. The Chinese CEL label does not satisfy Saudi labelling obligations. | SABER platform / Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) / Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC)2026-06-15 · reference |
| SABER Conformity Assessment — PCoC + SCoC (Multi-Standard: Safety + EMC + Energy) | In China, household refrigerating appliances require China Compulsory Certification (CCC) covering both safety (GB 4706.13) and EMC (GB 4343.1) before sale. CCC is a mandatory third-party certification administered by CNCA-designated certification bodies (CABs); it does not involve manufacturer self-declaration. Energy labelling (China Energy Label based on GB 12021.2) is a separate mandatory requirement administered by NDRC/SAMR. There is no Chinese equivalent to the SABER per-shipment SCoC: CCC is a one-time product certification, not a consignment-level customs gate, and the China Energy Label is separately issued and displayed.CCC (China Compulsory Certification) — safety (GB 4706.13) + EMC (GB 4343.1); mandatory; administered by CNCA/SAMR China Energy Label — Measures for the Administration of Energy Efficiency Labels (NDRC/SAMR); based on GB 12021.2-2015 |
Household refrigerating appliances placed on the Saudi market must be cleared through the SABER electronic conformity-assessment platform operated by SASO. There is no single mark; instead the Saudi importer must obtain two documents: (1) a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) — a model/product-level certificate (typically valid one year) issued by a SASO-approved conformity assessment body, confirming the product meets all applicable SASO technical regulations and adopted standards, namely electrical safety to IEC 60335-2-24, EMC to the IEC CISPR 14 series, and energy efficiency/labelling to SASO 2892 / SASO 2663 with the SEEC label; and (2) a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) — issued for each individual consignment before it clears customs, referencing the valid PCoC. Both are processed on SABER; the importer registers the product, uploads the technical file and test reports, and the approved conformity assessment body issues the certificates. The Saudi grid is 230/400 V, 60 Hz, and appliances must be rated and tested accordingly.SABER platform (saber.sa) — mandatory electronic conformity assessment operated by SASO Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) — model-level certificate (typically 1-year validity) from a SASO-approved conformity assessment body Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) — per-consignment certificate required before customs clearance IEC 60335-2-24 — electrical safety (adopted via SASO); IEC CISPR 14 series — EMC; SASO 2892 / SASO 2663 — energy efficiency and SEEC labelling Saudi grid: 230/400 V, 60 Hz — appliance rating and test configuration basis |
Chinese manufacturers must build a complete Saudi conformity package from scratch — CCC and the China Energy Label do not substitute for any Saudi requirement: (1) Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) — obtained via SABER from a SASO-approved conformity assessment body, based on test reports to IEC 60335-2-24 (safety), IEC CISPR 14 (EMC), and SASO 2892 / SASO 2663 (energy, high-ambient); (2) Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) — issued per consignment before customs clearance at Jeddah / Dammam; (3) SEEC Arabic energy label affixed to the product; (4) technical file — test reports, ratings for 230/400 V 60 Hz operation, energy data at T-class high-ambient conditions; (5) a Saudi importer of record to register the product on SABER (see row frigsa-market-002). Crucially, the PCoC/SCoC are obtained by the Saudi importer, not self-declared by the Chinese manufacturer — the manufacturer's role is to supply compliant product and accepted test reports (commonly IECEE CB Scheme or ILAC MRA reports). CNAS-only GB test reports are not accepted without a SASO-approved CAB's acceptance.[INFORMATIONAL] SABER conformity assessment — a model-level Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) plus a per-shipment Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) — is mandatory for Saudi market access for household refrigerators, covering safety (IEC 60335-2-24), EMC (CISPR 14), and energy (SASO 2892/2663 + SEEC label). Chinese CCC and the China Energy Label are entirely separate systems and substitute for none of these. The PCoC/SCoC are obtained by the Saudi importer; the manufacturer must supply compliant product, 230/400 V 60 Hz ratings, and SASO-accepted test reports. | SABER platform / Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO)2026-06-15 · reference |
| Saudi Importer of Record — SABER Registration Holder (Responsible Local Operator) | China has no direct regulatory equivalent requiring manufacturers of export-bound products to designate a foreign-country resident legal entity responsible for product compliance and market surveillance cooperation. Chinese export manufacturers typically appoint overseas distributors or trading companies on a commercial basis, without a statutory obligation to register the product under a destination-country importer-of-record system. Under the CCC domestic regime, the certification holder is the responsible party for domestic market compliance — this role and obligation does not extend to or satisfy Saudi SABER market-access requirements.N/A — no direct Chinese regulatory equivalent for the Saudi importer-of-record / SABER registration-holder obligation | Under the SASO/SABER regime, the entity that registers a regulated product and obtains the Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) must be a Saudi-resident importer of record — a legally established business in Saudi Arabia holding a valid commercial registration and a SABER account. For household refrigerating appliances manufactured outside Saudi Arabia (including China), there is no manufacturer self-declaration route and no foreign-entity registration: a Saudi importer must hold the SABER registration, the PCoC, and obtain a per-shipment SCoC before goods clear customs at ports such as Jeddah and Dammam. The Saudi importer is the responsible local operator: it holds the technical file and test reports, interacts with the SASO-approved conformity assessment body, cooperates with SASO market surveillance, and bears responsibility for product compliance, recalls, and corrective action. This role cannot be fulfilled by a freight forwarder, customs broker, or test laboratory — it must be a registered Saudi importing entity.SABER platform (saber.sa) — registration must be held by a Saudi-resident importer with valid commercial registration SASO technical regulations — importer of record responsible for PCoC/SCoC and market-surveillance cooperation Saudi Customs — SCoC required at port of entry (e.g., Jeddah Islamic Port, Dammam / King Abdulaziz Port) |
This is a structural gap with no Chinese regulatory analogue. A Chinese refrigerator manufacturer cannot register on SABER or hold a PCoC/SCoC directly: a Saudi-resident importer of record (with commercial registration and a SABER account) must do so before the first shipment. Without a Saudi importer holding a valid PCoC and obtaining a per-shipment SCoC, goods cannot clear Saudi customs at Jeddah or Dammam regardless of the product's underlying test compliance. The Chinese manufacturer's practical obligations are to: (1) appoint or sell through a registered Saudi importer; (2) supply the technical file, SASO-accepted test reports, 230/400 V 60 Hz ratings, and high-ambient (T-class) energy data the importer needs to obtain the PCoC; and (3) supply the Arabic SEEC label artwork. The importer of record bears legal responsibility within Saudi Arabia for compliance and any recall.[INFORMATIONAL] A Chinese refrigerator manufacturer cannot access the Saudi market alone: a Saudi-resident importer of record must hold the SABER registration and PCoC and obtain a per-shipment SCoC before goods clear customs at Jeddah or Dammam. This is a hard legal gate under the SASO/SABER regime — without a Saudi importer and valid SCoC, the shipment cannot be cleared regardless of product test compliance. | SABER platform / Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO)2026-06-15 · reference |
| Refrigerant — R600a Flammable Refrigerant Handling (IEC 60335-2-24 Annex AA, high-ambient) | China regulates refrigerant use primarily through GB 9237-2001 (Safety requirements for refrigerating systems and heat pumps — general and related definitions; aligned with ISO 5149) and the more recent GB/T 5773-2016 (Performance test methods for positive displacement refrigerant compressors). For household appliances, IEC 60335-2-24-equivalent refrigerant charge limits are addressed in GB 4706.13-2014 (which incorporates R600a flammability provisions derived from IEC 60335-2-24). China operates its HFC phase-down under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol (ratified June 2021), with its own schedule administered by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE). Chinese appliance manufacturers exporting to Saudi Arabia with R600a units are generally well-positioned for the refrigerant aspect, but must verify charge amounts, documentation, and high-ambient behaviour against Saudi requirements.GB 4706.13-2014 — Annex provisions for flammable refrigerant (R600a) requirements in household refrigerating appliances (derived from IEC 60335-2-24) GB 9237-2001 — Safety requirements for refrigerating systems and heat pumps (aligned with ISO 5149:1993) Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol — China HFC phase-down schedule (ratified June 2021, administered by MEE) |
Saudi Arabia governs refrigerant safety for household refrigerating appliances primarily through the SASO-adopted electrical safety standard IEC 60335-2-24 and its Annex AA (requirements for appliances using flammable refrigerants), assessed via the SABER Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC). Household refrigerators marketed in Saudi Arabia have overwhelmingly transitioned to R600a (isobutane, GWP ≈ 3, ISO 817 safety class A3 — lower flammability). Manufacturers must: (1) verify that the refrigerant charge complies with IEC 60335-2-24 Annex AA flammability requirements (maximum R600a charge per compartment configuration, ventilation, ignition-source control); (2) ensure the verification reflects high-ambient (T-class, up to 43 °C) operating conditions typical of the Gulf — flammable-refrigerant and pressure behaviour must be validated for the Saudi climate, not only temperate conditions; (3) ensure product documentation declares the refrigerant designation (R600a / isobutane) and charge quantity in grams; and (4) where any model contains an HFC (e.g., R134a, GWP 1430) or HFO, confirm the importer can still obtain a PCoC and assess any phase-down implications under Saudi Arabia's obligations as a party to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. Saudi grid operation is 230/400 V, 60 Hz, which affects compressor/inverter behaviour relevant to refrigerant-circuit testing.IEC 60335-2-24 — Annex AA: Requirements for appliances using flammable refrigerants (R600a charge limits, ventilation, ignition source requirements) — adopted via SASO, assessed under SABER PCoC ISO 817 — Refrigerants — Designation and safety classification (R600a classified A3: lower flammability) Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol — Saudi Arabia HFC phase-down obligations (relevant for any HFC-containing models) |
For R600a appliances, the main gap is documentation, charge verification, and high-ambient validation rather than a fundamental technology gap: (1) The PCoC technical file must explicitly state the refrigerant designation (R600a / isobutane), charge weight in grams, and the IEC 60335-2-24 Annex AA flammability precautions; (2) The R600a charge must be verified against IEC 60335-2-24 Annex AA maximum limits AND validated for high-ambient (T-class, up to 43 °C) operation — Chinese CCC test reports performed under temperate-climate or 220/380 V 50 Hz configurations may not confirm Saudi 230/400 V 60 Hz high-ambient compliance without re-assessment; (3) If any model in the export range uses R134a or another HFC, the importer must confirm a PCoC can still be obtained and assess Saudi HFC phase-down implications under the Kigali Amendment. [NOTE: Saudi Arabia's specific HFC phase-down timeline and any product-level restrictions should be confirmed against current SASO/national regulation before regulatory submissions.][INFORMATIONAL] R600a is the dominant refrigerant in Saudi-market household refrigerators and is permitted. However, manufacturers must verify R600a charge against IEC 60335-2-24 Annex AA limits, validate flammable-refrigerant and pressure behaviour for high-ambient (T-class) Gulf conditions and 230/400 V 60 Hz operation, and explicitly document refrigerant type and charge weight in the PCoC technical file. Any HFC-based models should be assessed against Saudi Kigali-Amendment phase-down obligations before market entry. | Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO)2026-06-15 · reference |
| Electrical Safety — Household Refrigerating Appliances (SASO / SABER + IEC 60335-2-24) | China's mandatory safety standard for household refrigerating appliances is GB 4706.13-2014 (Safety of household and similar electrical appliances — Particular requirements for refrigerating appliances, ice-cream appliances and ice-makers), which is technically derived from IEC 60335-2-24:2010 but incorporates Chinese national deviations. GB 4706.13-2014 is mandatory (GB) and enforced by SAMR under the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) regime. Products must be CCC-certified by a CNCA-designated certification body before sale in China. CCC test reports issued by Chinese laboratories against GB 4706.13 are NOT directly accepted as the basis for a Saudi Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) under the SASO/SABER regime.GB 4706.13-2014 — Safety of household and similar electrical appliances — Particular requirements for refrigerating appliances, ice-cream appliances and ice-makers (mandatory; derived from IEC 60335-2-24:2010 with national deviations; enforced under CCC by SAMR/CNCA) GB 4706.1-2005 — General requirements (read in conjunction with GB 4706.13) |
Household refrigerating appliances (refrigerators, freezers, refrigerator-freezer combinations, wine coolers, ice-cream appliances) placed on the Saudi market must comply with the SASO-adopted electrical safety standard IEC 60335-2-24 (Safety of household and similar electrical appliances — Part 2-24: Particular requirements for refrigerating appliances, ice-cream appliances and ice-makers), read in conjunction with the general standard IEC 60335-1. Compliance is demonstrated through the SABER platform: the Saudi importer obtains a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) from a SASO-approved conformity assessment body, supported by test reports to IEC 60335-2-24 / IEC 60335-1, and then a per-shipment Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC). Key requirements cover: protection against electric shock; insulation resistance and dielectric strength; thermal cut-outs; creepage and clearance distances; mechanical strength of housing; earthing continuity; and appliance markings. Appliances must be rated and tested for the Saudi supply of 230/400 V, 60 Hz. There is no manufacturer self-declaration route; the PCoC/SCoC are issued to the Saudi importer.SASO / SABER conformity-assessment regime — electrical safety for regulated household appliances IEC 60335-2-24 — Safety of household and similar electrical appliances — Part 2-24: Particular requirements for refrigerating appliances, ice-cream appliances and ice-makers (adopted via SASO) IEC 60335-1 — General requirements (read in conjunction with Part 2-24) Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) + per-shipment Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) via SABER Saudi grid: 230/400 V, 60 Hz — appliance rating and test configuration basis |
Because both GB 4706.13 and the SASO-adopted standard derive from IEC 60335-2-24, the technical baseline is close, but procedural and configuration gaps remain: (1) Conformity-assessment route — Saudi market access requires a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) from a SASO-approved conformity assessment body plus a per-shipment SCoC via SABER, held by the Saudi importer; there is no self-declaration route as in some other markets. Test reports must be SASO-accepted — commonly an IECEE CB Scheme report and CB certificate (IEC 60335-2-24 basis) covering Saudi/GCC deviations, or ILAC MRA-accredited reports; CNAS-only GB reports are not directly accepted. (2) Supply configuration — appliances must be rated and tested for 230/400 V, 60 Hz Saudi supply; Chinese data generated only under 220/380 V (and especially under 50 Hz) configurations may require re-assessment. (3) Markings and documentation — appliance markings and user documentation in Arabic and the SEEC label are needed for retail. National/GCC deviations mean Chinese CCC test data cannot be assumed to cover the SASO-adopted IEC 60335-2-24 requirements without engineering review.[INFORMATIONAL] Electrical safety compliance to SASO-adopted IEC 60335-2-24 (with IEC 60335-1) is mandatory for household refrigerating appliances and is assessed through the SABER PCoC/SCoC process held by a Saudi importer. Chinese CCC certification to GB 4706.13 does not satisfy the SASO/SABER pathway; SASO-accepted test reports (commonly IECEE CB Scheme covering Saudi/GCC deviations, or ILAC MRA) and 230/400 V 60 Hz ratings are required. IECEE CB Scheme reports may reduce re-testing scope — verify with a SASO-approved conformity assessment body. | SABER platform / Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO)2026-06-15 · reference |
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SOURCES
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- SABER platform / Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) · accessed 2026-06-15 · reference · used in 4 rows
- Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) · accessed 2026-06-15 · reference · used in 2 rows
- SABER platform / Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) / Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC) · accessed 2026-06-15 · reference · used in 1 rows