Safety Level

The Issuance of Accredited Safety Certificates in Saudi Arabia

 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia places immense importance on safety, quality, and compliance across all sectors, driven by the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Consequently, the process for issuing accredited safety certificates for personnel, management systems, and products is highly regulated and enforced by several key governmental and regulatory bodies.

The term “accredited” is paramount, signifying that the certificate is internationally recognized and issued under the supervision of authorized national bodies, ensuring both credibility and adherence to global best practices.

1. Regulatory Framework and Key Bodies

 

Safety compliance in Saudi Arabia is primarily governed by the following entities:

A. Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO)

 

SASO is the national body responsible for setting, approving, and publishing Saudi Standards (SSS) for goods, products, and measurement systems.

  • Certificates of Conformity (CoC): For many imported and locally manufactured goods to enter the market, a CoC is mandatory. This certificate, issued by SASO or an accredited third-party body, confirms that the product complies with the relevant Saudi Technical Regulations (STRs).

  • Saudi Quality Mark: This mark is granted to products demonstrating consistent compliance with SSS, serving as a stamp of safety and quality assurance.

B. Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD)

 

The MHRSD sets the regulatory framework for Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) in the workplace, enforcing compliance with labor law and requiring specific training and certification for OSH professionals.

  • Training Provider Accreditation: MHRSD accredits the institutions that deliver safety training courses within the Kingdom.

  • Personnel Certification: The Ministry recognizes and often requires international OSH qualifications (such as NEBOSH, OSHA, IOSH) for safety managers and officers operating within Saudi facilities.

C. Saudi Civil Defense (CD)

 

The Civil Defense is the authority responsible for fire safety and emergency preparedness, particularly for buildings and structures.

  • Safety Permits/Certificates: Before any commercial, industrial, or residential building can receive an operating license, it must undergo a rigorous inspection by the Civil Defense. The CD then issues a Safety Certificate confirming that the building’s fire detection systems, alarm systems, extinguishing equipment, and evacuation routes meet the requirements of the Saudi Building Code (SBC).

2. Core Categories of Accredited Certification

 

The accredited certificates frequently encountered in the Saudi market fall into three main areas:

Category Description Key Saudi Compliance Driver Typical Standards/Certificates
Product Safety Verifying goods meet national safety and quality standards before sale. SASO CoC (Mandatory for regulated products) Saudi Quality Mark, SASO CoC, IECEE Certification
Management Systems Certifying a company’s internal processes for risk management. Regulatory requirements for major industrial tenders (e.g., Aramco, SABIC) ISO 45001 (OSH), ISO 9001 (Quality)
Personnel Competency Certifying individuals have the skills for safety-critical roles. MHRSD requirements for OSH personnel NEBOSH IGC/Diploma, CSP, Approved Local OSH Training

3. The Accreditation Mechanism

 

In Saudi Arabia, the validity of a certificate hinges on the accreditation of the issuing body (Certification Body – CB):

  • Local CBs: Must be officially recognized and licensed by the relevant Saudi authority (e.g., SASO for product certification, MHRSD for training).

  • International CBs: For standards like ISO 45001, the CB must be accredited by an internationally recognized body that is a member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). This ensures that the audit process is impartial, thorough, and meets global standards.