Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) held an organizational workshop for the 83rd General Meeting of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) at the headquarters of SASO, in Riyadh, amid a wide participation of specialists from government and private bodies.

Dr. Saad bin Othman Al-Kasabi, Governor of SASO, President of IEC National Committee of Saudi Arabia, expressed his hope that this workshop represents a practical step to activate the principle of partnership and interaction between the Committee and all its partners. He called on relevant bodies in the field of standards for electrotechnical products to submit their views and suggestions on the strategic directions of the Committee in order to activate its role nationally and internationally.

Dr. Saad bin Othman Al-Kasabi, stressed the need for the private sector's interaction with the Committee as it is the most affected sector by standards and metrology. He pointed out that the participation of the private sector in the preparation and adoption of standards will give it the opportunity to know the standards and international trends in this area. It will also enable it to know the new standards that will be issued in markets. Therefore, it will be prepared in advance and ready to compete. 

Furthermore, Eng. Abdulrahman Al Abdulkarim, Director of Electrical and Electronic Products Management at SASO, Secretary of IEC National Committee of Saudi Arabia, introduced the committee, its importance and strategic directions. He pointed out that the Committee is working to represent the relationship between all stakeholders in the Kingdom and IEC. The Committee also works to support the work of IEC by participating in the activities of technical and administrative work for the preparation of standards and conformity systems, as well as the national representation of standards activities through the formation of technical committees parallel to electrotechnical standardization activities. In addition, the committee reviews, votes on and adapts drafts of international electrotechnical standards.

After that, Eng. Wael bin Abdulrahman Al Thiab, Deputy Director of Electrical and Electronic Products Management, reviewed a number of issues and the most important information related to the annual meetings of IEC technical committees and mechanisms to activate the role of the Kingdom.

At the end of the workshop, Eng. Ali Al-Zaidan gave a detailed explanation of the registration mechanism to attend the annual IEC general meeting.