Starting August 1, 2026, the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) will begin implementing the new Mandatory Technical Regulations for Photovoltaic O&M Equipment, further moving the import requirements for photovoltaic cleaning equipment to the stage before customs declaration. This change involves certification, testing items, and Arabic localization labeling, directly affecting export enterprises, certification and testing service institutions, procurement and delivery teams, as well as supply chain processes related to customs clearance and delivery upon arrival. For the industry, this is not merely a routine reminder of regulatory requirements, but a compliance requirement that has entered the implementation stage. Whether certification and labeling preparations are completed in advance will directly determine whether the equipment can enter the country smoothly.

The New Requirements Focus on Certification and Labeling

According to confirmed information, the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) officially implemented the new Mandatory Technical Regulations for Photovoltaic O&M Equipment on August 1, 2026.

Under these requirements, all imported photovoltaic cleaning equipment must obtain GS certification. The certification scope includes EN 60335-1:2026+A11:2026 and the additional mechanical load testing required under IEC 61215.

At the same time, equipment nameplates, instruction manuals, and warning labels must be provided in Arabic.

The new regulations apply to all countries of origin. For Chinese exporting enterprises, certification labeling and localized labeling must be completed before customs declaration. If these requirements are not completed, the goods may be returned or detained at the Port of Jeddah.

The Impact Extends Beyond Manufacturing

Exporters Face the Pre-Customs-Declaration Compliance Threshold First

In terms of business impact, enterprises directly exporting photovoltaic cleaning equipment will be the first to face the pressure brought by the regulatory changes. This is because the new regulations clearly require GS certification and Arabic labeling before customs declaration. Enterprises need to complete certification status verification, label application, and preparation of accompanying documents before shipment. For export teams, the focus is not limited to whether production has been completed; it also includes certification documents, instruction manual versions, the language of warning information, and compliance consistency before arrival at the destination port.

Procurement and Delivery Processes Need to Recheck Document Completeness

For purchasers, project execution teams, and channel distribution enterprises, the main impact will be on delivery schedules and acceptance preparations. According to the analysis, if equipment has already entered the procurement or production scheduling process but certification and localized labeling have not been implemented simultaneously, the delivery schedule may be affected. Relevant parties need to verify earlier whether suppliers have appropriate certification arrangements and whether the accompanying documents meet the Arabic-language requirements, so as to avoid affecting contract performance due to document inconsistencies after the goods arrive at the port.

Supporting Requirements for Certification and Testing Services Will Become More Prominent

For certification-related enterprises and testing service institutions, this regulatory change makes the accuracy of testing items and document preparation more critical. Although the input information does not provide specific implementation details, it can be confirmed that GS certification has become one of the preconditions for import and involves EN 60335-1:2026+A11:2026 and the additional mechanical load testing required under IEC 61215. Relevant service providers need to assist enterprises with document review and technical coordination based on these clearly specified requirements.

Customs Clearance and Supply Chain Services Need to Identify Risks Earlier

For supply chain service enterprises, customs declaration coordination teams, and after-sales service providers, it is important to note that the risk of goods being returned or detained after arrival at the port has been clearly identified. This means that logistics and customs clearance processes can no longer use transportation arrangements and complete documentation as the sole criteria. They must also include certification status, labeling language, and the consistency of technical documents in pre-shipment inspections.

Several Areas That Currently Require Advance Verification

First Confirm Whether Certification Requirements Have Been Implemented for Specific Models

Enterprises should first verify whether the photovoltaic cleaning equipment intended for export has been prepared for GS certification in accordance with the new regulations, particularly whether the relevant testing requirements cover the specific product models and planned shipment batches. Since the input information does not provide more detailed implementation criteria, the more prudent approach at present is to complete the certification applicability review before making shipping arrangements.

Arabic Documentation Must Go Beyond the Instruction Manual

The current regulations do not merely require accompanying documents in Arabic; they clearly require nameplates, instruction manuals, and warning labels to be provided in Arabic. For enterprises, the focus should not be limited to the translation itself, but should also include label application, document version consistency, and whether the physical equipment corresponds to the accompanying documents. If these items are handled separately by different suppliers or departments, unified pre-shipment review becomes necessary.

Pre-Customs-Declaration Preparations Should Cover Technical Documents and Shipping Documents

According to the analysis, completing certification labeling and localized labeling before customs declaration means that the document preparation timeline needs to be moved forward. Export and delivery teams should focus on checking whether technical documents, product identification, warning information, and accompanying shipping documents form a complete deliverable package, rather than waiting until shipment is imminent to supplement and process them. This point requires particular attention for orders that have already entered production scheduling or are awaiting shipment.

The Subsequent Implementation Criteria Still Require Continuous Monitoring

Although the implementation date and basic requirements of the new regulations have been clarified, the input information does not provide more detailed official implementation guidance. In practice, enterprises still need to continuously monitor whether more specific review criteria, changes to document requirements, or corresponding adjustments to tender documents and procurement conditions emerge in the market.

This Appears More Like an Implementation Signal That Has Already Taken Effect

From an industry perspective, this information is more appropriately understood as an indication that the regulations have entered the implementation stage, rather than as a simple policy announcement. This is because the implementation date, applicable product category, certification requirements, language requirements, and potential port handling outcomes for non-compliance have all been clarified. At the same time, the market still needs to continue monitoring the details of actual implementation, particularly the review of certification materials, consistency checks for labels, and whether procurement documents are updated accordingly.

For Market Participants, the Key Is to Move Preparations Forward

Overall, Saudi Arabia's requirements for GS certification and Arabic labeling of imported photovoltaic cleaning equipment mean that relevant enterprises need to move compliance preparations forward from traditional shipment-support activities to the order execution and customs declaration preparation stages. At present, this information is more appropriately understood as a change to an import requirement that has already taken effect. It is sufficient to affect certification arrangements, label management, document preparation, and delivery schedules, although its specific implementation intensity and market response still require continued observation.

Basis of This Article and Directions for Further Verification

This article was generated based on the information title, event date, and event summary provided by the user. The confirmed factual scope is limited to the information provided. Such events can generally be further verified through official announcements, publications by regulatory authorities, information from customs or trade authorities, industry association information, documents issued by standards organizations, and reports from authoritative media.

It should be noted that the input information does not provide a link to a specific official source. Therefore, the relevant formal documents, implementation details, and supporting explanations still require ongoing verification. Items that warrant further attention include whether the policy details will be further clarified, whether the certification implementation criteria will be refined, whether tender documents and procurement conditions will be adjusted accordingly, industry feedback, and the actual implementation by enterprises.