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Saudi Quality Mark (SQM): Your Gateway to Market Success in the Saudi Market

23 Jul 2025 Articles

Saudi Quality Mark (SQM): Your Gateway to Market Success in the Saudi Market

In today’s globalized marketplace, ensuring product quality and compliance with international standards is paramount for businesses seeking to expand their reach. For companies eyeing the lucrative Saudi Arabian market, understanding and obtaining the Saudi Quality Mark (SQM) is not just a regulatory requirement but a strategic imperative.

This comprehensive guide will explore into the details of the SQM’s significance, the products it covers, the application process, and the numerous benefits it offers to manufacturers, importers, and distributors. By securing the mark, businesses can build consumer trust, streamline market entry, and gain a significant competitive edge in one of the Middle East’s most dynamic economies.

What is the Saudi Quality Mark(SQM) certification?

This Quality seal is a national quality mark owned by the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO). It serves as a significant symbol of quality and compliance, certifying that a product adheres to Saudi Arabian national standards and has successfully undergone all necessary inspections and testing. More than just a regulatory stamp; it is a critical certification mechanism designed to ensure product quality, safety, and compliance for goods entering the Saudi Arabian market. Its primary purpose is to build consumer confidence, facilitate market entry, and act as a clear indicator of high product quality and safety .

Products Requiring the SQM

This Mark is mandatory for specific product categories, particularly those that significantly impact consumer health and safety. These regulated products include :

✅Liquefied petroleum gas appliances and accessories
✅Flat steel and iron products
✅Steel bars
✅Cement
✅Ready-mix concrete
✅Ceramic tiles
✅Aluminum composite panels
✅Oxo-biodegradable additives
✅Electrical extension cords
✅Plugs, switches and sockets for household and general use

For other product categories, obtaining this certification is voluntary. However, even for these products, acquiring the mark can provide a significant marketing advantage, demonstrating superior quality and commitment to safety .

The Process of Obtaining the Saudi Quality Mark

It involves a structured, multi-step approach designed to ensure thorough compliance and quality assurance. The general process typically includes :

  1. Online Application: An initial application is made on the SASO portal.
  2. Document Review: This involves a comprehensive review of various quality documents, including test reports, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 certifications, and other relevant technical documentation.
  3. Factory Audits: A crucial step where a factory audit is conducted to verify that the quality management system in place complies with SASO requirements. This includes on-site inspection of manufacturing facilities, verification of production processes, and assessment of quality control mechanisms.
  4. Product Testing: Products undergo demanding laboratory testing in accredited facilities to demonstrate compliance with Saudi Arabian standards. Samples are provided for comprehensive evaluation.
  5. Corrective Actions: If any non-conformities are identified during audits or testing, corrective actions must be implemented and verified.
  6. Final Review and Approval: Upon successful completion of all previous steps, the SASO technical committee reviews the application, evaluates test results and documentation, and makes a final certification determination. A certificate and the right to use the quality seal on products and packaging are then granted.
  7. Surveillance Audits: The certificate must be renewed periodically, and continuous compliance must be maintained through regular surveillance audits.

Benefits of Obtaining the Saudi Quality Mark

Acquiring the Quality Mark offers numerous advantages for businesses, enhancing their market position and operational efficiency. Key benefits include:

  1. Enhanced Market Access: This approval provides direct entry into the Saudi Arabian market, simplifying customs processes and reducing potential delays. Products bearing the SQM are often perceived as more reliable and safer, which builds trust with distributors and end consumers.
  2. Increased Consumer Trust and Confidence: This certificate serves as a reliable indicator of quality and compliance, assuring consumers that the product meets stringent Saudi standards. This fosters greater confidence and can significantly influence purchasing decisions.
  3. Competitive Advantage: In a competitive market, it differentiates certified products from non-certified alternatives, positioning the brand as a leader committed to quality and safety.
  4. Legal Compliance and Risk Mitigation: Obtaining the quality mark ensures adherence to mandatory regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of product recalls, legal issues, and financial penalties.
  5. Continuous Improvement: The ongoing surveillance audits encourage continuous development and improvement of products and quality management systems.

Why Choose Watheeq

Watheeq is a trusted, SASO-approved Conformity Assessment Body helping local and international businesses navigate the technical requirements of the SALEEM program. Our experienced team handles everything from SABER registration to final certification ensuring:

  1. Quick turnaround
  2. Full technical support
  3. Accurate documentation
  4. 100% compliance with Saudi quality standards

Conclusion

The Saudi Quality Mark is more than just a certification; it is a strategic asset for businesses aiming to succeed in the Saudi Arabian market. By demonstrating a commitment to quality, safety, and compliance with attentive national standards, companies can unlock significant economic opportunities, build lasting consumer trust, and establish a strong competitive presence. Understanding the requirements and benefits of the SQM is crucial for any manufacturer, importer, or distributor looking to navigate this dynamic market effectively.

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