Manufacturers and exporters of information and communications technology (ICT) equipment to Saudi Arabia should prepare for updated conformity requirements following the issuance of SASO 3114:2026 – “Requirements for Specific ICT Equipment” by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO).

The new standard replaces the previous SASO CITC GEN-002 specification, which was referenced under Saudi Arabia’s Technical Regulation for Communications and Information Technology Devices. The transition was announced through a bilingual circular published on the SABER conformity platform and introduces key deadlines that businesses supplying affected products to the Saudi market should consider.

Transition from SASO CITC GEN-002 to SASO 3114:2026

The previous GEN-002 specification, originally developed by the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC)—now the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST)—established conformity requirements for specific categories of ICT devices. It was later incorporated by reference into SASO’s technical regulation.

SASO has now updated this framework through SASO 3114:2026, introducing revised requirements that applicable ICT products must meet to obtain conformity certification for the Saudi market.

Products Covered by the New Standard

The standard applies to specific categories of ICT equipment. Based on the scope of the replaced specification, affected products may include:

Mobile phones
Tablets and computers
Mobile routers
Customer premises equipment (CPE)
Cellular Internet of Things (IoT) devices

Manufacturers and exporters should verify whether their products fall within the scope of SASO 3114:2026, as this will determine the applicable conformity assessment requirements.

Key Transition Dates

The implementation of SASO 3114:2026 includes two important deadlines:

1 November 2026 – Mandatory application of the new standard
A transition period will remain in place until 31 October 2026, during which conformity certificates may continue to be issued under the previous GEN-002 requirements. From 1 November 2026, all new certificates for products within scope must comply with SASO 3114:2026.

31 March 2027 – Expiry of existing GEN-002 certificates
Certificates of conformity and shipment certificates issued under the previous specification will remain valid only until 31 March 2027. After this date, affected products will require certification under SASO 3114:2026 to continue accessing the Saudi market.

Impact on Manufacturers and Exporters

The transition requires businesses to address both new and existing certifications. Products entering the conformity assessment process after November 2026 must comply with the updated standard, while products already certified under GEN-002 will need to undergo the necessary transition process before the March 2027 deadline.

To ensure a smooth transition, manufacturers and exporters should begin preparations early, considering potential requirements for product assessment, testing, documentation updates, and certification timelines.

Recommended Actions for Businesses

Companies exporting ICT equipment to Saudi Arabia should:

Review their product portfolio to determine which items fall under SASO 3114:2026.
Assess existing GEN-002 certificates and track their validity until the 31 March 2027 transition deadline.
Plan recertification activities and any required testing before the 1 November 2026 implementation date.
Coordinate compliance, product, and export teams to ensure timely alignment with the new requirements.