Saudi SASO Raises Minimum Efficiency Class for PV Inverters to Class 3
The new regulation is set for mandatory enforcement starting 1 October 2026. During the transition period, all certified products must be resubmitted for testing; otherwise, certification renewal will not be permitted.
From an industry perspective, inverter manufacturers and export-focused suppliers will bear the earliest impacts, as this change directly affects product compliance status. Major disruptions are expected for product qualification planning, test preparation and shipment scheduling for Saudi-market models. Special attention should be paid to whether existing certified models can complete renewal without additional technical adjustments or new test preparations.
For internal compliance teams and external certification service providers, the core challenge lies not in the regulatory revision itself, but in process scheduling. The re-testing mandate means document control, sample preparation, test booking and renewal sequencing become critical business workflows. The primary risk is misalignment between commercial delivery expectations and certification validity.
For importers, distributors and channel operators handling Saudi-bound products, the key risk concerns sustained market access. Failure to complete re-testing and certificate renewal in a timely manner may trigger issues relating to model availability, listing continuity and shipment planning. It is critical to assess whether the current product portfolio relies heavily on models certified under the previous Class 2 benchmark.
Procurement teams and downstream commercial buyers will also be affected, especially where product approval and lead times are tied to certification status. The main concern is not outright supply disruption, but certification timelines potentially impacting procurement decisions, model substitution discussions and delivery coordination.