SASO Reviews Accomplishment Rates in Achieving its Strategic Plan
SASO has made significant progress in various technical and administrative aspects related to its competence, according to SASO's latest annual report for the fiscal year 1437 AH - 2016. The report pointed that SASO has developed its "2014-2018 Leadership" strategy and has continued to implement it in accordance with the Balanced Scorecard methodology. SASO's activities, related to this methodology, are based on four topics. The first is the beneficiary, and consists of four strategic objectives; enhancing consumer safety, raising the level of customer satisfaction, establishing confidence in the standards issued by SASO, and promoting a culture of quality in the Kingdom. SASO's annual report regarding this topic highlighted the withdrawal of more than (13,000) samples in 2016, covering more than (19) cities on which the safety index for 2016 was measured. Ministry of Trade and Investment was provided with the lists of non-conforming products to complete legal procedures.
SASO has issued (10) mandatory technical regulations in the fields of lubricating oils, detergents, paints, scooters, metals and their alloys for construction and buildings, insulation materials and facade cladding materials, biodegradable plastic products, gas-powered devices and their accessories, energy efficiency and water consumption tools.
The year 2016 witnessed the launch of the electronic directory of standards (WASIF), since then the number of users increased by 87%, the launch of the Product Safety Program initiative within the National Transformation Program 2020 and the development of a general product safety methodology. In addition to developing the National Quality Strategy, starting the establishment of the executive office of the National Quality Strategy, launching the customer relationship management system (CRM) in the customer service centers, and developing the unified model of excellence within the criteria of King Abdul Aziz's Quality Award and holding its third session.
SASO's achievements related to the beneficiary topic included the development of the Quality Mark system, according to the requirements of (ISO IEC 17065), and the issuance of (86) new licenses accordingly, in addition to the launch of the Technical and Consulting Services Center.
The second topic in SASO's strategy is operations, and includes three objectives: to strengthen the supervisory role of SASO, confirm its scientific reference in the areas of standardization and quality, enhance technical capabilities, and improve operational procedures. In the course of 2016, SASO succeeded in issuing its Service Manual and launching the Business Procedures Development Project, where (79) work procedures were developed, IT infrastructure was upgraded, (14) electronic services were launched in the field of standardization, and (12) assessment bodies were accepted. Furthermore, SASO has issued (17,698) licenses to use the energy efficiency label; (2,801) for air conditioners, (1,436) for refrigerators and freezers, (596) for light household washing machines, (242) for electric motors, (211) lighting, (10,306) for tires and (2,106) for new light vehicles. In addition to the authorization of conformity assessment bodies (private sector), to grant the Saudi Quality Mark, as two bodies were authorized during the year 2016.
Furthermore, laboratory accreditation procedures were developed and fully automated by the Saudi Accreditation Committee. More than 40 residents were qualified and full membership of APLAC was obtained. The total number of private laboratories covered by the activities of the Committee during the past (4) years reached (112) laboratories.
In the field of laboratories, the total number of samples reached (8,185) varied samples. The laboratory information management system (LIMS) was launched and the first phase of the sanitary materials and plumbing parts' laboratory started operation. SASO aims that the laboratory becomes among the top (10) laboratories in the world, in this field. The first phase of the laboratory accreditation project in the field of occupational safety and health has been completed in accordance with the requirements of (OHASA 18001). Praise be to Allah, the first phase of SASO's laboratories' accreditation project was completed in accordance with the requirements of (ISO / IEC 17025/2005). Currently, a thermal insulation efficiency laboratory for buildings is being implemented.
Moreover, SASO has continued its achievements in relation to the operations topic; the Dimensions' Laboratory received international accreditation as a Saudi national standard, 95% of the first phase of the NMCC development project was completed (included upgrading 27 laboratories), in addition to the operation of the frequency and time transmission laboratory, in accordance with the requirements of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures.