​     The Deputy Governor of SASO, Eng. Saud bin Rashid Al Askar, announced that the mandatory application of the technical regulation No. (MA-156-16-03-06) for water consumption rationalization tools, will start on 1st January 2018, and that was during a joint press conference held by SASO, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Ministry of Commerce and Investment, Saudi Customs, Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, and the National Water Company (NWC) at the headquarters of SASO in Riyadh.

        Al Askar said that starting from January 2018, manufacturers and importers will be required to put a label showing the rate of rationalization of water consumption for each of the products included in the regulation: shower heads, taps / shower mixers, taps / mixers for public and private toilets and kitchens, taps / bidet mixers, taps / mixers for shattaf (toilet spray), western water closets with dual flush / single flush, and urinal with flush system.

   ​     Furthermore, Al Askar explained that the governmental bodies involved in the application of the regulation have set an appropriate period of time before the technical regulation enter into the mandatory application phase, in order to give all concerned bodies the opportunity to implement the requirements of the regulation comprehensively. SASO, in coordination with the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, held introductory workshops on the technical regulation and products that fall under this regulation. The first workshop was held at Riyadh Chamber on 19th July 2017, second workshop was held at ASHARQIA CHAMBER -Dammam on 26th July 2017, and the third workshop was held on 2nd August 2017.

   ​     Moreover, the Deputy Governor of SASO stressed that non-compliance with the regulation would expose the violator to penalties established in the Commercial Fraud Law and other penalties. He called on all suppliers and manufacturers of the products of rationalization tools to register as soon as possible in the electronic system of SASO at its website, in order to gain labels of water consumption rationalization for their products before the beginning of the mandatory application.

   ​     For his part, Dr. Faisal Al-Subaie, Undersecretary for Water Affairs-Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, said that there is a great scarcity in water stocks in the Kingdom, which increases the importance of consumption rationalization and developments the sustainability of natural resources in the Kingdom. He pointed out that the Ministry is continuing cooperation with all concerned bodies to raise awareness of the importance of rationalization among citizens, explaining that the national water system is working in an integrated manner to ensure water sustainability as one of the scarce resources in the Kingdom.

   ​     Eng. Mohammad Al Mowkley, CEO of The National Water Company (NWC), confirmed that the main objective of the concerned bodies in consumer rationalization comes in line with the national water strategy, and citizens' contribution to reduce consumption and bills, clarifying that rationalization helps reducing costs and financial burdens on the state and citizens. He pointed out that the company, in cooperation with the concerned bodies, will continuously monitor and evaluate the products covered by the technical regulation to ensure high efficiency of rationalization and consumer protection.

   ​     However, the representatives of the governmental bodies participating in the press conference stressed that the regulatory authorities are working pursuant to an integrated system of work and will follow up the mandatory application of this regulation to ensure that no products would be leaked to the local market. Therefore, the commitment of manufacturers, suppliers and traders to apply the regulation, will be ensured. Samples will be withdrawn for testing and verifying conformity with the regulation's requirements. In addition, Saudi Customs will prevent importing violating products.