Service · Saudi Arabia · Air conditioners
AC Efficiency Readiness Review
SASO 2663:2025 & SASO 2874:2025
- For
- Manufacturers, exporters and Saudi importers of air conditioners
- What
- An independent check of your test reports and technical file against the new editions, before you apply for certification
- You get
- A written gap report and an action plan, in about 5 working days
- Facts
- Every requirement checked against SASO's workshop presentation of 18 September 2025, on 5 October 2026
1Why now
SASO has adopted updated energy-efficiency standards for air conditioners: SASO 2663:2025 for window and single-split units up to 65,000 Btu/h, and SASO 2874:2025 for large-capacity systems: unitary air conditioners and heat pumps, VRF, chillers, condensing units and computer-room air conditioners. The changeover runs in three steps:
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 31 Aug 2026 | Energy-efficiency and SABER certificates under the old editions are no longer issued. |
| 29 Nov 2026 | All old-edition energy-efficiency and SABER certificates are cancelled. Shipments relying on them must arrive before this date. |
| 1 Dec 2026 | Enforcement starts at local manufacturers and at customs. |
Stock already on the Saudi market stays valid under its existing certificates. The revised SASO 2663 also adds a mandatory minimum SEER per category, on top of updated EER limits. Source: SASO workshop deck, 18 September 2025.
The good news, and the risk: SASO accepts a valid test report issued under SASO 2663:2021 if it already meets every SASO 2663:2025 requirement, so not every model needs retesting. But a report that falls short, for example a SEER below the new minimum or a tested capacity too far below the rated value, is usually discovered only when the application is refused. With the 29 November cut-off, there is little time left to retest.
2What we review
- Which standard applies to each modelSASO 2663:2025 or SASO 2874:2025, based on product type and rated capacity, so each model goes down the right route.
- Your test reportsThat each report comes from a SASO-accepted laboratory and is less than 3 years old, covers every model you will ship, and shows the values the 2025 editions require. For SASO 2663:2025 that means EER at T1 and T3 and SEER against the minimum for your unit type. A 2021-edition report that already meets all of this can be reused; we tell you which ones can.
- Rated vs tested valuesAgainst SASO's acceptance limits: tested cooling capacity at least 95% of rated, tested power at most 105% of rated, tested EER at least the minimum and at least 95% of rated, tested SEER at least 90% of rated.
- Your certification fileThe documents SASO lists for the energy-efficiency certificate and label: test report, instruction sheet, nameplate marking, model image, and declarations of conformity from the manufacturer and the importer. Model numbers and ratings must match across all of them.
- Your timelineWhich shipments can still travel on existing certificates (arrival before 29 November 2026) and which need the new certification.
- Gap report and action planWhat is missing, what to ask your laboratory to add or retest, and the questions to put to your certification body before you apply.
3Example findings
Illustrative findings of the kind the review produces, for a range of split units:
| Finding | Why it matters | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Test reports issued under SASO 2663:2021 for six models | Accepted if they meet every 2025 requirement | Four meet them and can be reused; two need new tests (next two rows) |
| No SEER value in two reports | SASO 2663:2025 sets a minimum SEER (12.80 Btu/W·h for variable-capacity non-ducted split units) | Ask the lab for SEER, or retest those models |
| Tested cooling capacity is 93% of the rated value | SASO requires at least 95% | Re-rate the model, or fix and retest it, before applying |
| Importer's declaration of conformity missing | Required for the energy-efficiency certificate and label | Ask the Saudi importer to prepare it now |
4What this service is not
- Not testing or certification. Testing is done by a SASO-accepted laboratory. SASO issues the energy-efficiency certificate and label, and a certification body issues the SABER certificate. The final decision is theirs.
- No commissions or partner labs. MutabiqAlerts doesn't sell, refer to or earn from any laboratory or certification body, so the review tells you what is needed, not what to buy.
- Not a guarantee of approval. The review reduces the risk of rejection; it can't remove it.
5How a quote works
| Example scope | Wall-mounted split ACs, 2 model families (9,000–24,000 Btu/h, inverter), SASO 2663:2025, into Saudi Arabia |
| What the quote covers |
|---|
| Readiness Review for each model family (up to 10 models per family) |
| Optional rush delivery: 2 working days instead of 5 |
| Fee: fixed, quoted within one working day of receiving your model list |
You receive: a PDF gap report (English; Arabic on request) and one round of follow-up questions by email within 14 days.
We need from you: test reports, model list, nameplate data and any existing certificates (PDF). Files are used only for this review and deleted on request.
Delivery: 5 working days from receipt of complete files and payment.
Payment: 100% before work starts, by bank transfer or PayPal. Transfer fees are paid by the sender.
Large systems (SASO 2874:2025: unitary, VRF, chillers and others) are quoted on request.
6Source
- SASO, updated requirements for the energy-efficiency standards for air conditioners, large and low capacity (workshop, 18 September 2025): saso.gov.sa
- MutabiqAlerts summary: Saudi Arabia tightens air conditioner energy-efficiency rules
Shipping air conditioners to Saudi Arabia?
Send your model list and test reports to [email protected] for a quote within one working day.
Service sheet prepared by MutabiqAlerts. Requirements checked against SASO's workshop presentation of 18 September 2025 on 5 October 2026; the example scope and findings are illustrative. Regulatory information only, not legal advice; confirm requirements with your certification body and SASO before acting. MutabiqAlerts is an independent information service: not a laboratory, certification body or notified body, and not affiliated with GSO, SASO, any government body or any testing, inspection or certification company. Standards are copyrighted by their publishers and are referenced here by number and title only.