SASO: Percentage of Commodities Conforming with Standards in Market Rises to (63.7%)
The annual report of Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) for the fiscal year 1438-1439H (2017) revealed a rise in the percentage of commodities conforming with standard specifications in 2017 to 63.7% with an improvement rate of 5.1% from 2016. This was after SASO withdrew (8.021) samples from (26,876) units to ensure that these commodities conform with standard specifications. Samples were examined and the regulatory bodies were informed of the results of their conformity with Saudi standard specifications to take the necessary action.
During 2017, SASO issued and updated (8) technical regulations and responded to more than (250) inquiries from companies, factories and importers. In addition, (16) workshops were held to introduce and raise awareness among traders and manufacturers of technical regulations. Moreover, (23) factories were visited for sampling and following up the Energy Efficiency Program in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources and the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center.
In the area of standard specifications, SASO has succeeded in continuing its efforts by focusing on issuing standard specifications that reflect the strategic trends of the Kingdom, and raises safety rates in products and commodities traded in the market. Also, SASO has followed up international standards in areas of consumer safety. During the reporting period, (410) new Saudi standard specifications were adopted in various sectors. In addition, (1.081) Saudi standard specifications were adopted, amended and translated. Furthermore, there were (229) drafts of Saudi standard specifications in the various study and preparation stages to be adopted as Saudi standard specifications. The application of "working mechanism of technical teams for the preparation of Saudi standard specifications and technical regulations" was ensured. The technical teams include (141) members, divided into (32) technical teams and distributed to technical government, scientific, research and private sectors. In line with global trends in standardization activities, SASO continued to activate the role of Service Standards Department, which aims to raise the quality and efficiency of performance in providing various services in light of what the services in the Kingdom currently represent, which is between 30-35% of GDP.
SASO has also aligned what has been achieved from the project of the National Quality Strategy with the requirements of the Vision. The project's target sectors have been restructured and categorized according to the new government structures and the central work of each sector. All components of the quality infrastructure are included in the final report of the strategy to highlight their role in promoting the culture and practicing of quality in the Kingdom.
In 2017, the number of factories licensed to use the Saudi Quality Mark on their products were more than (303) factories, of which only (115) new applications were granted the license to use the Quality Mark during the reporting period. Furthermore, (280) applications were under study. In addition, the license was canceled for (11) factories to use the Quality Mark. Also, (268) certificate of conformity were issued, and (22.072) licenses were issued to use the energy efficiency label. Besides, (605) certificates of recognition of conformity certificates from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IECEE) were issued.
Moreover, the Certification of Conformity Department at SASO has obtained the designation of Gulf Conformity Marking (G-mark) for low voltage electrical appliances under No. NB0040 by the GSO. Also, the Quality Mark Department has received a recommendation for accreditation according to the requirements of the international standard specifications (ISO IEC 17065) from the Gulf Accreditation Center for three products (plugs and sockets, steel bars and paints). This facilitates recognition of the Quality Mark internationally, thus supporting Saudi industries and products which obtain the Mark, and expanding the horizons of their spread in the target markets - God willing.
SASO also revealed, in its annual report for 2017, that work is under way on the operation of the laboratory of the efficiency of thermal insulation of buildings and the laboratory of quality tires and rims in cooperation with specialized international bodies. Work is also under way to complete the construction of specialized laboratories in the field of energy efficiency in lighting (residential and commercial) and laboratory of efficiency of electric power for heaters, and complete the requirements for the establishment of fuel efficiency laboratory for vehicles.
The National Measurement and Calibration Center (NMCC) at SASO witnessed the completion of the comprehensive development project for the technical structure, which includes the development of (30) laboratories, specialized in different areas of measurement and calibration. The Center completed its first participation in the International Comparison Program (ICP) successfully with the European Association of National Metrology (EURAMET). Its results were among the top four countries from (37) participating countries. Three chemical laboratories have also been operated to produce reference materials that are Gas Measurements Laboratory, Organic Chemistry Measurements Laboratory, and Electrical Chemistry Measurements Laboratory. The total number of devices that have been calibrated by the NMCC's laboratories has reached (2015) devices in various sectors.
In the area of information technology, SASO achieved in the 7th-measurement carried out by the e-government program (Yesser) an accomplishment of (87%) in the Excellence & Enhancement phase during the year 1437-1438. SASO ranked first in the financial and commercial sector among eight government agencies. During the year, SASO implemented (25) projects aimed at transforming electronic transactions. In addition, SASO developed (3) electronic portals and applications to serve its various activities. The total number of electronic services provided by SASO was (46) electronic services for both external and internal beneficiaries.