In November 2020, the Saudi Arabian Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation (SASO) notified the WTO of a Draft Technical Regulation for Saudi Arabia RoHS.
The Draft aims to restrict the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, and to define conformity assessment procedures to which suppliers must adhere.
The Draft Regulation contains the following: terms and definitions, scope, objectives, supplier obligations, conformity assessment procedures, responsibilities of regulatory authorities, responsibilities of market survey authorities, violations and penalties, general rules, transitional rules, and appendices (lists, types).
This Technical Regulation would apply to electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) in the following categories, with the exception of medical devices, military equipment, large-scale stationary industrial tools, large scale fixed installations and aerospace equipment:
- Large household appliances
- Small household appliances
- Information and communication technology equipment
- Lighting equipment
- Electrical and electronic tools
- Leisure, recreation and sports equipment
- Monitoring and control tools.
EEE, in similar vein to EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EC, is defined as devices that rely (in at least one of their functions) on electrical and electromagnetic currents to function properly, and devices for generating, transmitting and measuring these currents and fields and designed to operate at rated voltage not exceeding 1000 volts for alternating current and 1500 volts for direct current.
Producers are given a period of six months after publication in the official gazette to comply. Non compliant products can be circulated in the market for a maximum period of one year after publication.
MELA Policy Team has recently communicated with SASO with a view to express the industry position relative to the Draft Technical Regulation for Saudi Arabia RoHS. For more information contact [email protected].
