On July 20, 2026, the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) adjusted the basis for applications for energy-efficiency certification of photovoltaic cleaning robots through Technical Bulletin No. SASO/TB/2026/07. It clarified that, from October 1, 2026, applications for the SASO Energy Efficiency Labeling of relevant products will accept only third-party test reports issued in accordance with IEC 62933-5-2:2025. This change directly affects certification access, test preparation, and new product launch schedules, involving multiple business processes for manufacturers, exporters, testing institutions, and channel distributors in the Middle East. Relevant companies should therefore assess compliance and delivery arrangements in advance.

Acceptance Basis Switched to Test Reports Under the New Version

The information confirmed so far shows that, on July 20, 2026, SASO issued Technical Bulletin No. SASO/TB/2026/07, updating the energy-efficiency certification pathway for photovoltaic cleaning robots. According to the bulletin, from October 1, 2026, all products applying for SASO Energy Efficiency Labeling must submit third-party test reports issued in accordance with the IEC 62933-5-2:2025 standard.

At the same time, test reports based on the previous IEC 62933-5:2018 standard will no longer be accepted. The core parameters involved in this adjustment include motor efficiency, standby power consumption, and cleaning coverage. Existing information also indicates that the change is expected to extend the certification cycle by 10 to 15 working days and affect the pace of new product launches by distributors in the Middle East during the second half of the year.

The Impact Extends Beyond the Certification Process

Export Declarations and Product Launch Schedules Need to Be Rescheduled

From the perspective of the business chain, exporters and brand owners targeting the Middle Eastern market directly will be the first to be affected, because the certification acceptance requirements have changed and reports based on the previous version are no longer valid for applications. The main impacts involve testing arrangements, preparation of application documents, and adjustments to launch schedules. For these companies, the current priorities are to verify whether the version of the test report attached to the application meets the new requirements and assess the impact of the extended certification cycle on shipping windows and customer delivery commitments.

Manufacturing and Technical Teams Need to Review Key Parameters in Parallel

For processing and manufacturing companies and product technical teams, the impact of this rule change is not limited to replacing documents. Since the adjustment expressly involves core parameters such as motor efficiency, standby power consumption, and cleaning coverage, relevant companies need to check, when preparing tests and technical documentation, whether their existing prototypes, specifications, and testing basis match the requirements of the new standard. The connection between technical documentation, prototype status, and certification documents will be an important factor in determining whether subsequent applications proceed smoothly.

Channels and Distribution Networks Face Changes in the Pace of New Product Introduction

For channel operators and distributors in the Middle East, the main impact is that new product launch dates may be postponed because of the longer certification cycle. Their business pressure will be reflected primarily in procurement scheduling, inventory preparation, and market introduction. Channels involved in promoting new products during the second half of the year should confirm the supplier’s test report preparation status and certification progress earlier to avoid delivery disruptions caused by application documents that do not comply with the new requirements.

Testing and Certification Service Providers Will Bear More Direct Execution Pressure

Testing service providers and certification-related service companies will also feel the change directly, as the basis for application acceptance has been switched and corporate customers will need to prepare new test reports in accordance with IEC 62933-5-2:2025. At this stage, the key issues are the testing cycle, document completeness, and alignment with the application schedule. Although the available information does not disclose more detailed implementation requirements, it is clear that the relevant service arrangements will be directly linked to the requirements of the new standard.

Several Practical Points That Require Close Attention

First Confirm Whether Existing Reports Can Still Be Used for Subsequent Applications

For companies that have completed or are preparing for certification, the most practical issue is that existing reports based on IEC 62933-5:2018 will no longer be accepted after October 1, 2026. Companies should first review products currently in hand, projects in transit, and models planned for application, and check the test report versions against the application time windows to avoid a situation in which documents have been completed but cannot be used for formal acceptance.

Technical Documents and Procurement Materials Must Be Updated Simultaneously

If a product is about to enter the procurement, tendering, or channel introduction stage, the wording of relevant technical documents, bidding materials, and certification attachments should also be checked and updated simultaneously. After the standard version is switched, continuing to use the previous test basis in documents may lead to repeated communication and time loss during customer reviews, project evaluations, or application preparation. At this stage, it is more appropriate to regard this work as a consistency review of the documentation rather than simply adding another report.

Incorporate the Extended Certification Cycle into Delivery Plans

Available information indicates that the certification cycle is expected to increase by 10 to 15 working days. For companies that rely on quarterly shipments, launch windows, or fixed procurement schedules, this change needs to be incorporated into delivery plans and internal approval timelines. The current issue requiring attention is whether certification delays will affect production scheduling, shipment arrangements, and customer acceptance preparations. However, these specific impacts still need to be assessed in light of each company’s project schedule.

Continue Monitoring Subsequent Implementation Requirements and Market Feedback

Because the input information does not provide more detailed supporting explanations, companies cannot yet regard all implementation details as fully established. In addition to the confirmed requirement concerning the test report version, companies should continue monitoring whether more specific acceptance instructions, refined documentation requirements, or additional review concerns arise in the market. For compliance teams, the current priority is to establish a dynamic verification mechanism rather than make excessive inferences based on unconfirmed information.

This Appears to Be a Clear Signal of an Implementation Transition

From an industry perspective, this information is better understood as an implementation change with a clearly specified timetable rather than a regulatory development that remains at the discussion stage. Since the acceptance start date, applicable certification scenarios, and the scope of the non-acceptance of previous-version reports have all been specified, market participants will find it difficult to continue arranging subsequent applications under the previous process.

At the same time, it should be noted that what can currently be confirmed is the change in the application basis and the expected impact on the certification cycle and the pace of new product launches. The actual differences among companies in prototype preparation, testing queues, customer acceptance, and channel introduction still require continued observation in light of subsequent implementation requirements, project types, and market feedback.

The Practical Significance for Market Participants Is Emerging

Overall, SASO’s adjustment is not merely an update to the name of a standard, but a clear change to the acceptance conditions for energy-efficiency certification of photovoltaic cleaning robots. It has already imposed practical constraints on certification preparation, technical document management, delivery schedules, and channel launch arrangements.

At present, this information is best understood as a compliance requirement that has entered a countdown to implementation. For relevant companies, the priority is not to discuss the scale of the impact in general terms, but to promptly verify test report versions, application milestones, and delivery plans, while continuing to monitor whether further implementation details are clarified.

Basis of This Article and Priorities for Further Verification

This article was generated based on the information title, event date, and event summary provided by the user. The core information includes the publication date of July 20, 2026; Technical Bulletin No. SASO/TB/2026/07; the requirement that, from October 1, 2026, only third-party test reports issued in accordance with IEC 62933-5-2:2025 will be accepted; the non-acceptance of reports based on the previous IEC 62933-5:2018 standard; and the known impacts on the certification cycle and the pace of new product launches.

For events of this type, continued verification should generally also be conducted against official announcements, publications issued by regulatory authorities, documents from standards organizations, industry association information, information from trade authorities, and reports from authoritative media. Since the input does not provide a specific link to an official source, the relevant link information still needs to be supplemented and verified. Matters worth continuing to monitor include whether the certification implementation requirements are further detailed, whether tender or procurement documents are updated accordingly, whether new compliance concerns emerge from the market, and how companies implement the requirements in actual applications and deliveries.