Saudi Arabia: New eCall requirements for vehicles

 

The Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO) have drafted an updated version of SASO 2944, titled “Motor Vehicle – Technical Requirements for Emergency Calls (eCall).” This revision focuses on establishing technical requirements for the emergency call system within motor vehicles.

This standard governs the technical specifications for emergency calls and connectivity in new light-duty vehicles (LDVs) imported to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Key modifications to this standard include:

1. Incorporating 4G requirements and references.
2. Providing an exemption for vehicles produced in small quantities, totaling fewer than 75 vehicles annually, from the requirement of having an in-vehicle eCall system.
3. Postponing the implementation date of the standard, which will now take effect from January 1, 2027.

The standard defines eCall as an “emergency call initiated either automatically through in-vehicle sensors or manually by the vehicle occupants. When activated, it transmits notification and precise location details to the most appropriate Public Safety Answering Point using a mobile wireless communication network. It conveys a predefined standardized Minimum Set of Data, signaling an incident that necessitates a response from emergency services and establishes an audio connection between the vehicle occupants and the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point.”

For the complete text of this proposed regulation, you can refer to the document available HERE.