When dealing with the SABER platform and the procedures for bringing products into the Saudi market, two key terms are frequently used: the Product Conformity Certificate and the Shipment Conformity Certificate.
The two terms may seem similar, and some importers may believe that obtaining one makes the other unnecessary, but each certificate serves a different purpose in the conformity assessment process. Understanding the difference between them helps streamline procedures, prepare documents in a timely manner, and avoid shipment delays.
What is the role of the Saber platform?
Sabir is an online platform that facilitates the registration of products and certificates of conformity, as well as the issuance of shipment certificates, to ensure product safety before they enter the Saudi market. It benefits importers, local manufacturers, individuals, and government agencies through various channels.
The platform allows importers or manufacturers to register certificates of conformity and shipments related to imported or domestically manufactured consumer goods.
First: What is a product conformity certificate?
A product conformity certificate is a certificate that attests that the product meets the technical requirements applicable to it.
The Saudi Standards Organization describes the product conformity certification registration service as a service that verifies a product’s compliance with technical regulations through a certificate issued electronically to a local manufacturer or importer after confirming that the technical requirements have been met.
In practical terms, the product certificate answers the following question:
Does the design or model of this product meet the specified regulatory and technical requirements?
To obtain a product certificate, you may need to submit:
- Product Description.
- Models.
- Manufacturer's specifications.
- Customs code.
- Product photos.
- Test reports.
- Previous certificates.
- The poster.
- Instructions for Use.
- Declaration of Conformity.
- Any additional documents required by the technical regulations.
The conformity assessment body reviews the application and technical documentation in accordance with the regulatory pathway applicable to the product.
What is the scope of the product certification?
A product certification is typically tied to the specific product or models that have been evaluated and listed in the certification; it is not a blanket statement covering all products from a given manufacturer or brand.
That is why you must ensure that the following match:
- Brand Name.
- Model numbers.
- Manufacturer's specifications.
- Product Specifications.
- Key ingredients.
- Label Information.
- Technical Reports.
When a substantial change is made to the product, its impact on the reports and certificate must be assessed before continuing to use the previous documents.
Under the IECEE system, a CB test certificate remains valid as long as the products continue to conform to the conditions assessed in the original certificate.
Second: What is a shipment conformity certificate?
A Certificate of Conformity for the shipment applies to the imported shipment and is not a preliminary assessment of the product's design.
The Saudi Standards Authority explains that the commercial shipment certificate service begins on the Saber platform by creating a new shipment request and selecting the products to be included.
In practical terms, the mission statement answers the following question:
Are the products in this shipment associated with a completed compliance path, and do the shipment details match the registered products?
The certificate is linked to shipment data, such as:
- Products and Models.
- Quantities.
- Values.
- Country of shipment.
- Billing Information.
- Certifications for Related Products.
- Required declarations for non-regulated products, where applicable.
The Relationship Between the Two Certificates
The relationship between the two certificates can be understood through the following sequence:
Product Review
First, it is determined whether the product is subject to a technical regulation; then, the conformity requirements are met, and a product certificate is obtained when necessary.
Shipment Preparation
Upon import, shipment data is prepared and the registered products are linked to the actual shipment.
Issuance of a Mission Certificate
The shipment request is submitted and reviewed based on the status of the products and the associated documents.
SABER guidelines indicate that regulated products with a valid certificate of conformity appear among the products eligible for a shipment certificate, along with non-regulated products for which the required declaration has been completed.
A Simple Comparison of the Two Certificates
Product Conformity Certificate
Focuses on the product from both a technical and organizational perspective.
Relates to the model or group of models included in the request.
It is based on technical regulations, standards, test reports, and the technical file.
Must be completed before being used in shipping orders for regulated products.
Certificate of Conformity for the Shipment
It focuses on a specific import shipment.
It is linked to shipment data, quantities, invoices, and listed products.
It is based on the regulatory status of the products in the shipment.
These are requested when the shipment is being prepared for market entry.
Practical Example
Let's say a company imports electrical appliances into Saudi Arabia.
First, device models must be registered, and the applicable technical regulations and standards must be identified. After the test reports are submitted and the technical dossier is reviewed, a product conformity certificate is issued for the approved models.
When preparing a shipment containing 500 units of these models, a shipment order is created that specifies the quantities, invoice, country of shipment, and other details. After linking the shipment to the registered products and completing the procedures, a certificate of shipment conformity is issued.
When another shipment of the same product is sent later, the new shipment does not become part of the previous shipment certificate; rather, it has its own order and details.
Does every product require a product certificate?
That depends on the product's classification and the applicable technical regulations.
Some products are subject to regulations that require a certificate of conformity from an accepted body, while others follow a conformity assessment process or are subject to different requirements. Therefore, you must verify the product’s status on the platform based on the tariff code and technical description, and not assume that all products follow the same process.
Why are shipping orders sometimes delayed?
Delays may occur due to:
- A model has not been registered.
- Whether the product documentation is complete or incomplete.
- The model name differs between the invoice and the certificate.
- Discrepancies in manufacturer or brand information.
- Listing a product under the wrong tariff code.
- Inconsistencies in quantities or invoice information.
- A product in the shipment has not completed its regulatory process.
- The need for approval from a conformity assessment body.
Is a product certificate a substitute for a shipping certificate?
No.
A product certificate attests to the product's technical compliance, while a shipping certificate pertains to the actual shipment and its details.
The existence of a product certificate does not mean that any shipment of the product will automatically be allowed to enter the country, nor does the issuance of a shipment certificate eliminate the need to complete product conformity procedures when the product is subject to technical regulations.
How Can You Avoid Problems Between the Two Testaments?
Unify Product Data
Use the same name, model, brand, and manufacturer information in reports, certificates, and invoices.
Check the validity of your documents early
Don't wait until the shipment arrives at the port to discover a problem with the product certificate or one of the models.
Separate product management from shipment management
Create a permanent technical file for each product and a separate commercial file for each shipment.
Review the products before issuing the final invoice
Make sure that all models and quantities are listed correctly and can be linked within the platform.
Track Changes
Any changes to the model, manufacturer, components, or brand must be evaluated before the product is shipped.
Summary
The main difference is simple but important:
A product conformity certificate pertains to the conformity of the product itself, while a shipment conformity certificate pertains to a specific shipment of products.
Proper management of the two certificates requires coordination between the technical file, test reports, registration data, invoices, and shipping documents.
CAP helps clients review product requirements, prepare documentation, coordinate with conformity assessment bodies, and track product and shipment certificates until market entry procedures are completed.