Effective 1 January 2025, the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) have launched the first mandatory phase of unified charging ports for electronic devices placed on the Saudi market.
Under this initiative, all covered electronic devices must be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port in order to be sold in Saudi Arabia.
This measure forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to standardise charging interfaces, enhance consumer convenience, and support technical harmonisation across electronic products.
Scope of Phase 1 – In Effect from 1 January 2025
The first phase applies to a wide range of consumer electronics, including:
Mobile phones
Tablets
Digital cameras
E-readers
Portable gaming consoles
Headphones and speakers
Keyboards and mice
Navigation systems
Wireless routers
All of the above products must now feature a USB Type-C charging interface to be legally placed on the Saudi market.
Phase 2 – Effective 1 April 2026
The second phase of implementation will extend the requirement to:
Laptops
From 1 April 2026, laptops sold in Saudi Arabia must also comply with the USB Type-C charging port requirement.
Compliance and Certification Considerations
Importers and manufacturers placing products on the Saudi market must ensure that:
Technical documentation aligns with applicable standards, including the SASO IEC 62680 series,
IECEE certification applications reflect the updated charging interface requirement, and
Test reports issued by accredited laboratories are current and properly submitted through the relevant regulatory channels.
Failure to meet the applicable technical and certification requirements may affect certificate validity.
This update is based on the official announcement available via the Saudi Government portal. Access the official documentation below:
At C-PRAV, we support manufacturers in understanding evolving global regulatory requirements and aligning product documentation, testing, and certification strategies to ensure smooth market access.