Saudi Quality Mark (SQM)
Owned by SASO. Voluntary for most categories, mandatory for some, the strongest visible quality signal in the Saudi market.
Turnaround
Typical SQM licensing cycle: 8–12 weeks from application to issuance, depending on factory audit scheduling.
Validity
Multi-year licence with mandatory surveillance audits.
Accredited body
SASO · GSO · ISO 17065
01
What is this?
The Saudi Quality Mark is owned and managed by SASO. It signals to the Saudi consumer and buyer that a product not only conforms to applicable standards but also originates from a manufacturer with a working quality management system.
It is voluntary for most product categories, and a powerful market differentiator, but mandatory for certain regulated categories where SASO has elected to require the mark in addition to baseline conformity.
02
Who needs it
Manufacturers seeking a premium quality signal on shelves.
Producers in categories where SQM is mandatory (specific cement, rebar, electrical and gas categories).
Brands competing in tenders or government procurement where SQM is a scoring criterion.
03
How it works
- 01
Application & eligibility review
We review your product, quality system maturity, and prior compliance history to confirm SQM eligibility.
- 02
Document review
Technical files, manufacturing records, ISO certifications and test reports are assessed against SQM criteria.
- 03
Factory inspection
An on-site audit verifies the manufacturer operates a working quality management system aligned with the relevant standard.
- 04
Product testing
Samples are tested at accredited laboratories against the technical regulation that scopes the SQM for that product.
- 05
License issuance
On successful audit and testing, SASO issues the SQM licence, allowing the manufacturer to display the mark on packaging.
- 06
Surveillance audits
Periodic surveillance audits verify that the quality system remains in place during the licence validity period.
04
Required documents
Don't have these yet? We'll guide you through every one.
Commercial registration & factory licence.
ISO 9001 certificate (or equivalent quality system documentation).
Product technical file and test reports.
Production process flow and quality control plan.
Packaging and labelling artwork.
05
Why RACS
Auditors trained on the specific SASO SQM scheme requirements per product category.
Pre-audit gap assessments so the factory visit is the issuance milestone, not the discovery milestone.
Bilingual reporting that satisfies SASO and gives the factory team something usable.
06
Frequently asked questions
Start your compliance file
Send us your details and we'll respond within 24 hours with the path to compliance and an estimate.
Related services
SASO Certificate of Conformity (CoC)
The official certificate every regulated product needs to enter the Saudi market.
SABER Registration
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Shipment Certificate of Conformity
The per-shipment certificate that completes Saudi customs clearance.