Vehicle type approval,
automotive regulations
and vehicle requirements
in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia vehicle regulations

Techinical regulations for vehicles in Saudi Arabia

Vehicle requirements in the Gulf Cooperation Council are partly harmonized between its members, however, with national discrepancies.  The GSO (Guld Standardization Organization) standards applicable in all GCC members, including Saudi Arabia, are:

GSO Year Technical Regulation
34 2007 Lead-Acid Starter Batteries Used for Motor Cars & Internal
Combustion Engines
35 2007 Methods of Test for Lead-Acid Starter Batteries Used for Motor
Cars & Internal Combustion Engines
36 2005 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Impact Strength – Part 1:
Frontal Impact
37 2012 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Impact Strength – Part 2:
Rear Impact
38 2005 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Impact Strength – Part 3A:
Side Impact
39 2005 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Impact Strength – Part 4:
Roof Strength
40 2011 Motor Vehicles – Impact Strength
41 2007 Motor Vehicles: Front and Rear Exterior Protection Devices for
Passenger Cars (Bumpers etc) and its Methods of Test
42 2015 Motor Vehicles: General Requirements
48 1984 Motor Vehicles: Conformity Certificates
51 2007 Passenger Car Tyres – Part 1: Nomenclature, Designation,
Dimensions, Load Capacities and Inflation Pressures
52 2007 Passenger Car Tyres – Part 2: General Requirements
53 2007 Passenger Car Tyres – Part 3: Methods of Test
96 1988 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Testing of Safety Belt
97 1988 Motor Vehicles – Safety Belts
98 1988 Motor Vehicles – Flammability of Interior Materials and Testing
Methods
99 1988 Road Vehicles – Sound Signaling Devices – Technical
Specifications
135 2007 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Engine Radiator
136 2007 Motor Vehicles – Engine Radiator
144 1991 Motor Vehicles – Allowable Limits of Pollutants Emitted to the
Atmosphere from Heavy Duty Diesel Engined Vehicles
145 1991 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Testing for Pollutants Emitted from
Heavy Duty Diesel Engined Vehicles – Part 1: Determination of
Exhaust Gaseous Pollutants
146 1991 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Testing for Pollutants Emitted from
Heavy Duty Diesel Engined Vehicles – Part 2: Determination of
Smoke
153 1993 Motor Vehicles – Conformity Certificates for Vehicles
Manufactured in Multi-Stages
159 1993 Motor Vehicles – Dimensions and Weights
290 1994 Instruction Manual for Appliances Instruments and Equipment
419 1994 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Testing for Door Locks and Door
Hinges
420 1994 Motor Vehicles – Door Locks and Door Hinges
421 2005 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Testing of Rear-view Mirrors
422 2005 Motor Vehicles – Rear-view Mirrors
645 2005 Multi-Purpose Vehicles, Trucks, Buses and Trailers Tyres – Part
1: Nomenclature, Designation, Dimensions, Load Capacities and
Inflation Pressures
646 1996 Multi-Purpose Vehicles, Trucks, Buses and Trailers Tyres: Part
2: Method of Test
647 1996 Multi-Purpose Vehicles, Trucks, Buses and Trailers Tyres: Part
3: General Requirements
963* 1997 Motor Vehicles – General Requirements for Ambulances
1040 2000 Motor Vehicles – Allowable Limits of Pollutants Emitted to the
Atmosphere from Light Duty Diesel Engined Vehicles
1041 2000 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Testing for Pollutants Emitted from
Light Duty Diesel Engined Vehicles – Part 1: Determination of
Exhaust Gaseous Pollutants
1042 2000 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Testing for Pollutants Emitted from
Light Duty Diesel Engined Vehicles – Part 2: Determination of
Smoke
1052 * 2000 Motor Vehicles Tyres – Temporary Use Spare Wheel/Tyres and
Their Methods of Test
1053 2000 Motor Vehicles – Protection Against Theft
1503 2010 Motor Vehicle – Head Lamps Safety Requirements.
1598 2002 Motor Vehicles – Head Restraints and Their Methods of Test
1624 2002 Motor Vehicles – Noise Emissions
1625 * 2002 Motor Vehicles – Speed Limiters – Part 2: Technical
Requirements
1626 * 2002 Motor Vehicles – Speed Limiters – Part 3: Methods of Test
1677 2003 Motor Vehicles – Laminated Safety Glass
1680 2003 Motor Vehicles – Allowable Limits of Gaseous Pollutants
Emitted to the atmosphere from Unleaded Gasoline Vehicles
1681 2003 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Gaseous Pollutants Emitted
from Unleaded Gasoline Engined Vehicles – Part 1:
Determination of Exhaust Gaseous Pollutants After a Cold Start
1682 2003 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Gaseous Pollutants Emitted
from Unleaded Gasoline Engined Vehicles – Part 2:
Determination of Exhaust Carbon Monoxide Concentration
1683 2003 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Gaseous Pollutants Emitted
from Unleaded Gasoline Engined Vehicles – Part 3:
Determination of Evaporative Emissions (Hydro- carbons) from
the Fuel System Using the Enclosure Method
1684 2003 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Gaseous Pollutants Emitted
from Unleaded Gasoline Engined Vehicles – Part 4:
Determination of Gaseous Pollutants Emitted from Engine
Crankcase
1685 2003 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Gaseous Pollutants Emitted
from Unleaded Gasoline Engined Vehicles – Part 5:
Determination of Durability of Pollution Control Equipment
1707 2005 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Impact Strength – Part 3B:
Moving Barrier Side Impact
(In accordance with US standards)
1708 2005 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Test for Impact Strength – Part 3C:
Moving Barrier Side Impact
(In accordance with European standards)
1709 * 2005 Motor Vehicles – Child Restraint Systems
1710 * 2005 Motor Vehicles – Methods of Testing of Child Restraint
1711 * 2005 Motor vehicles – Speed Limiters – Part 1: General requirements,
Equipment Inspection, Certification, and type approval
1780 2010 Motor Vehicles – Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
– Requirements
1781 2006 Motor Vehicles – World Manufacturer Identifier
1782 2008 Motor Vehicles – Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) –
Location and attachment
1783 2006 Passenger Car Tyres – Treadwear, Traction and Temperature-Resistance Grading
1784 2006 Passenger Car Tyres – Method of Testing of Tyre Temperature
Resistance Grading
GSO ISO
1585
2008 Road Vehicles – Engine Test Code – Net Power
GSO ISO
3537
2008 Motor Vehicles – Safety Glazing Materials – Mechanical Tests
GSO ISO
3538
1997 Road Vehicles – Safety Glasses – Test Methods for Optical
Properties.
GSO-ECE-13H 2012 Motor Vehicles: Braking System of Passenger Cars and Multi-Purpose Vehicles
GSO-ECE-13H-1 2012 Motor Vehicles: Methods of Test for Braking System – Part 1:
Braking Performance
GSO-ECE-13H-2 2012 Motor Vehicles: Methods of Test for Braking System – Part 2:
Determination of Capacity of Energy Storage Devices
GSO-ECE-13H-3 2012 Motor Vehicles: Methods of Test for Braking System – Part 3:
Determination of Distribution of Braking among the Axles of
Vehicles
GSO-ECE-13H-4 2012 Motor Vehicles: Methods of Test for Braking System – Part 4:
Determination of Function of Anti-Lock Systems
GSO-ECE-13H-5 2012 Motor Vehicles: Methods of Test for Braking System – Part 5:
Determination of Performance of Brake Lining Using Inertia
Dynamometer
GSO-ECE-13H-6 2012 Motor Vehicles: Methods of Test for Braking System – Part 6:
Determination of Coefficient of Adhesion

* Applicable for certification if provided or the vehicle is designed for.

Implementation of Emission limits:

For Gasoline Engine:

The limits of pollutants emitted from motor vehicles should comply with Euro 5 for Saudi Arabia.

For Diesel Engine:

The limits of pollutants emitted from motor vehicles should comply with Euro 5 for Saudi Arabia.

 

Additional national provisions in Saudi Arabia:

SASO No. Name of Standard
SASO 2946:2020
SASO
2946:2020/AMD1:2022
Buses – Requirements of Construction
SASO 2847:2017
SASO
2847:2017/Amd1:2018
Fuel Economy Labelling Requirements for New Light Duty Vehicles
SASO 2857:2016 Vehicle tires rolling resistance and wet grip requirements
SASO 2864:2022 Saudi Arabia corporate average fuel economy standard (SAUDI
CAFE) for incoming light duty vehicles (2024- 2028)
SASO 2951:2021 School buses – General requirements
SASO 3008:2022 School buses – Pedestrian safety devices
SASO 3009:2022 School buses – Roof strength
SASO 3010:2022 School buses – Body joint strength
SASO 3011:2022 School buses – Rear crash test using moving barrier
SASO 469:2022 Motor Vehicles – Dimensions and Weight
SASO IEC 60095-1:2019 Lead-acid starter batteries – Part 1: General requirements and
methods of test
SASO IEC 60095-2:2019 Lead-acid starter batteries – Part 2: Dimensions of batteries and
dimensions and marking of terminals
SASO CITC RI
121:2021 *
Specification for Radio Broadcasting Equipment
SASO CITC RI
054:2021 *
Specification for Short Range Devices (SRO)
SASO CITC RI
117:2021 *
Specification for Data Communication Equipment operating in
License-Exempt Frequency Bands
SASO CITC RI
049:2019 *
Specification for Road Transport, Traffic Telematics and Intelligent
Transport Systems
SASO CITC
GEN002:2021 *
Requirements for specific ICT Equipment

 Allowable limits of pollutants emitted from motor vehicles:

– For Light Duty Diesel/Gasoline engine should comply with Euro 5 for Saudi Arabia that have in their markets suitable fuel:

According to ECE No 83 (Rev.5) “Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to the emission of pollutants according to engine fuel requirements”.

– For Heavy Duty Diesel engine should comply with Euro V for Saudi Arabia that have in their markets suitable fuel:

According to ECE 49 (Rev.7) “Uniform provisions concerning the measures to be taken against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from compressing ignition Engines and positive ignitions engines for use in vehicles”.

Implementation of Terrestrial Radio Receiver Specifications for AM/FM/T-DAB+:

Must comply with SASO 2938:2019: Technical specifications of the radio, digital and analog broadcasting receiver for (AM/FM/T- DAB+).

Requirements for vehicle spare parts

 

SABER / SALEEM program

In recent years, the Saudi Standards Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) has undertaken measures to align its procedures for product clearance and entry with global standards. As part of this initiative, SASO introduced the SABER online platform on January 1, 2019, to administer its product certification program for imported consumer goods. Alongside the launch of SABER, SASO also introduced the Saudi Product Safety Program (SALEEM). The changes introduced by SASO in conjunction with the SABER online portal have implications for the automotive industry.

SALEEM is based on a series of technical regulations issued by SASO to oversee adherence to SASO standards for various products. The current list of regulations is available on the SASO website. However, this series is not exhaustive, as SASO continues to develop regulations for different products. Notably, not all products are governed by SASO standards, as the establishment of such standards is an ongoing process. Without applicable standards and regulations, SALEEM does not apply.

For stakeholders in the automotive industry, the SALEEM list includes SASO Regulations for Auto Spare Parts (02-04-17-162). These regulations subject all spare parts, whether imported or domestically manufactured, to conformity assessment and testing. The regulations differentiate between two types of conformity processes: certification of conformity and declaration of conformity. Spare parts are classified as either classified or unclassified, determining the applicable conformity process. Classified spare parts require certification of conformity, while unclassified spare parts require a declaration of conformity. The process and required documents for each type of conformity are outlined on the SABER platform according to SASO Regulations.

One of SABER’s objectives is to curb the influx of counterfeit products that pose risks to consumer safety. The SASO Auto Spare Part Regulations hold importers accountable for sourcing spare parts from licensed factories in the country of origin to prevent the importation of counterfeit parts bearing false marks or misleading indications.

Furthermore, the extensive conformity process for regulated products should significantly deter the importation of counterfeit spare parts. Counterfeit parts typically fail to meet the quality standards and criteria established by the SASO Auto Spare Part Regulations. However, the regulations differentiate between genuine parts and commercial parts, which are generally cheaper. Genuine parts are designed and manufactured according to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications, while commercial parts comply with international or origin country standards and meet performance requirements outlined in SASO GSO 1712.

The full legal definitions of genuine and commercial parts are:

“Genuine spare parts are parts, which have been designed and manufactured in accordance with the standards and specifications of the manufacturer of the vehicle for the performance of a function that the vehicle manufacturer has specified or that the spare part manufacture has specified according to the standards, specifications and quality assurance system of the vehicle manufacturer.”

“Commercial parts are auto spare parts, which have been manufactured in accordance with any international, European, country of origin standards, or the standards of the spare parts manufacturer and which meet the performance requirements of the vehicle manufacturer in accordance with the standards set out in SASO GSO 1712.”

SASO’s efforts to harmonize its product clearance procedures with international standards are enhancing the regulatory framework in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). These efforts, facilitated by modern technical tools like SABER and SALEEM, are particularly beneficial to the automotive industry. While opportunities for improvement remain, SASO’s endeavors are effectively reducing the circulation of counterfeit auto spare parts and safeguarding consumer safety.

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