Countless online resources still mislabel SASO 2938:2019 as a universal electrical appliance access certificate—but if you follow those outdated guides for 2026 shipments, your goods will likely be held at Saudi customs, resulting in hefty demurrage charges.

Here’s the core truth: SASO 2938:2019 has not changed its technical requirements or scope since its release in 2020. It is not a "revised" standard, but one that is now enforced with unprecedented strictness and scrutiny.

In 2026, Saudi customs and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) review compliance documents through a fully digital, hyper-detailed lens. The real "latest updates" are not in the standard text itself, but in enforcement details and the internal audit checklists of certification bodies.

What Exactly Does SASO 2938 Regulate?

First, let’s correct the misinformation: the full title of SASO 2938:2019 is Energy Efficiency Requirements for Broadcast Receiving Equipment.

It applies to only two product categories:

1.In-vehicle infotainment systems: In-vehicle head units and car radios.

2.Standalone audio-visual broadcast receiving equipment: E.g., household DAB+ digital radios, portable speakers with broadcast functionality.

  The Real 2026 Challenges of SASO 2938

The standard is unchanged, but the enforcement criteria and processes have evolved—these are the critical "latest updates" you need to know:

Challenge 1: The "Invisible Barrier" of DAB+ Testing

Saudi Arabia has aggressively pushed the transition to Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+) since 2025. For products covered by SASO 2938, this means:

·Soaring testing costs: DAB+ testing (including reception sensitivity and anti-interference) is extremely complex, and can only be conducted at a handful of accredited laboratories in Europe or Saudi Arabia itself. Sample shipping and testing fees are far higher than standard RF testing.

·Skyrocketing failure rates: Our partner certification bodies report a 40%+ initial failure rate for DAB+ related tests since the second half of 2025. Many Chinese manufacturers’ designs do not account for the harsh signal environment in the Middle East.

Key advice: If your product includes broadcast reception functionality, design DAB+ performance as a core R&D metric—do not address it as an afterthought. A pre-test with a certified body is the most cost-effective strategy for 2026.

Challenge 2: Joint Audits of the Saber Platform and "Made in Saudi Arabia" Initiatives

This is one of the biggest 2026 changes, and one rarely discussed online. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 heavily supports local assembly industries, and this is reflected in certification:

·New audit trigger: When applying for a PCoC on the Saber Platform, the system may initiate an additional review: Does your product directly compete with locally assembled Saudi products?

·Potential impact: This will not directly result in certificate rejection, but it may extend audit timelines and require additional technical documentation to prove your product is a fully imported finished good (not knock-down kits for local assembly). Prepare a clear product value chain statement in advance.

Challenge 3: Documents Must Be "Dynamic and Traceable"

The era of "template-based document preparation" is over. In 2026, certification bodies require:

·Dynamic PCB layout drawings: Beyond reviewing the drawings themselves, auditors may randomly request procurement source documentation for key chips (especially RF and main control chips)—e.g., copies of purchase contracts or invoices—to verify legitimate supply chains.

·100% consistent user manuals: Model codes on product packaging, nameplates, and Arabic user manuals must be identical. Even a single character error (e.g., a hyphen instead of an underscore) will trigger corrective action—this is the top cause of detained shipments.

·Ultimate label printing details: The information on the page linked by the QR code on the energy efficiency label must be real-time synchronized with your product’s registered information on the Saber Platform. If you update any platform information, the QR code landing page must be updated within 24 hours—this requires close coordination with your Saudi importer.

  2026 SASO 2938 Clearance Roadmap (Concise Practical Version)

Step 1: Precise Classification and Risk Assessment

Ask yourself: Is my product a "broadcast receiving equipment"? If yes, immediately engage a certification body to confirm the DAB+ testing plan and projected timeline—this dictates the entire project schedule.

Step 2: Choose a "Strategic Partner", Not Just a Service Provider

Do not select a provider based solely on pricing. Ask these three critical questions:

1."What are your successful case studies and timelines for similar products in the past six months?"

2."Which laboratory conducts your DAB+ testing, and can you provide a redacted sample of a recent test report for reference?"

3."What support do you offer if the Saber Platform raises 'localization' inquiries?"

Only providers who can answer these clearly are worth partnering with.

Step 3: Meticulous Document Preparation

·Create a triple verification checklist (model + document + code) to ensure identical model information across physical products, labels, user manuals, test reports, and Saber Platform registrations.

·Ask your Saudi importer to log into their Saber account in advance and verify that their Commercial Registration (CR) document is valid—this is the starting point of all processes, and the most common source of delays.

Step 4: Build in a "Buffer Period"

Project the total certification timeline (from sample submission to PCoC issuance) to be 4–6 weeks longer than 2024 timelines. This extra time accounts for uncertainties like DAB+ retesting and document clarification.

In 2026, SASO 2938 certification is no longer just about meeting a technical standard—it is a credibility system that validates your product’s supply chain transparency, technical reliability, and commercial collaboration rigor. Saudi authorities are using increasingly detailed audits to select long-term partners who understand the market and operate with diligence. If your product models are finalized, BLUEASIA at +86 13534225140 offers professional certification consulting services.