Saudi Arabia — Important Updates on the Energy Efficiency Program for Lighting Products

By Eslam Abdelaal, Saudi regulatory program expert

The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) has circulated new announcements related to energy efficiency standards for lighting products: Part I SASO 2870:2018, Part II SASO 2902:2018 and Part III SASO 2927/2019.

What’s new?

SASO 2870:2018 Energy efficiency, Functionality and Labeling Requirements For Lighting Products - Part I

1. Acceptance of SASO 2870/2018 test reports with validity up to three years
2. SASO to allow the use of the same test reports for models different in color temperature only, and with the same technical specifications and internal components of the product

SASO 2902:2018 Energy Efficiency, Functionality And Labeling Requirements For Lighting Products Part II:

1. Street lighting products already registered under SASO 2902:2018 and fall under the scope of SASO 2927:2019 can still be upgraded online and transferred under SASO 2927:2019 without any additional fees after satisfying the new requirements. The certificate will be valid for the same remaining period of the previous license.
2. Allows the submission of test reports that meet all product requirements, except for survival factor and lumen maintenance test at 2,000 hours until further notice with the following evidence:
   • Provide a letter of commitment by the importer to submit the remaining test reports within 30 days from the test completion date through the electronic registration system (SLS).
   • Submit proof of sample receipt from the laboratory showing the start and end date of the test.
3. Acceptance of SASO 2902/2018 test reports with validity up to three years
4. New requirements for family registration:

• The product family definition (lamp or luminaire) must include the minimum performance that applies to all products included in the family:
  • Luminous flux
  • The same type of product
  • The same country of origin
  • All models in the family must have the same energy efficiency level (depending on the declared value)
  • Products within the family must not exceed by more than 100% the minimum declared value of luminous flux (lumens) of the main family model.

5. LED Control Gear:
   • Amending the requirements for the control gear by calculating the efficiency of the control gear through the European Directive according to the following equation:

η =P^0,81/(1,09×P^0,81+2,10)

SASO 2927/2019 energy efficiency functionality and labeling requirements for lighting products – part III : street lighting

1. Allows the submission of test reports that meet all product requirements, except for survival factor and lumen maintenance test at 2,000 hours and corrosion test at 2,500 hours until further notice with the following evidence:
   • Submit proof of sample receipt from the laboratory showing the start and end date of the test.

1. Allows manufacturers to choose the voltage range, including the national standard voltage 230 V.
2. Acceptance of SASO 2927/2019 test reports with validity up to five years
3. New requirements for family registration:
   • The product family definition (lamp or luminaire) must include the minimum performance that applies to all products included in the family:
     • Luminous flux
     • The same type of product
     • The same country of origin
     • All models in the family must have the same energy efficiency level (depending on the declared value)
     • Products within the family must not exceed by more than 100% the minimum declared value of luminous flux (lumens) of the main family model.
4. LED Control Gear:
   • Amending the requirements for the control gear by calculating the efficiency of the control gear through the European Directive according to the following equation:

η =P^0,81/(1,09×P^0,81+2,10)