Saudi Arabia’s New Battery Regulation: What’s Changed?
Saudi Arabia is introducing a new battery regulation that aligns more closely with its overarching product safety framework. While the scope remains largely unchanged, the updated regulation brings clearer wording, stricter labeling requirements, and expanded technical obligations—particularly in electrical safety and documentation.
Below is a breakdown of the key changes compared to the current regulation.
Scope
The scope remains essentially the same, but with improved clarity in wording.
The regulation applies to all types of batteries, with the following exclusions:
- Batteries used in military applications
- Batteries for medical devices
- Batteries intended for space applications
Article 7: Importer Responsibilities (Previously Article 4)
The new regulation strengthens traceability and transparency requirements.
Importer details must now include:
- Name or brand name
- Address
- Email address (as required by Article 19 of the Executive Regulation of Product Safety)
This information must be provided: On the product itself, or On the packaging, or If space is insufficient, within accompanying documentation or instructions
Additionally:
Instructions for use and safety information must be provided in Arabic
The technical file must also be available in Arabic, although test reports (e.g., CB reports) are expected to remain in English
Article 11: Marking (Rating Plate)
All product markings must now be in Arabic
It is now mandatory to indicate whether the battery is rechargeable or non-rechargeable
Article 14: Conformity Assessment Procedure
The procedure is now described in more detail, although the core approach remains unchanged.
The regulation continues to rely on the Type 3 conformity assessment procedure, which includes factory inspection in addition to The Saudi Quality Mark (SQM)
Potentially regional schemes (e.g., GCC/GSO conformity routes), although clarification may still be needed
Article 15: Technical File
The responsibility for the technical file lies with the manufacturer:
Must be maintained for 10 years from the date the product is placed on the market and must be provided to authorities upon request
Must be available in Arabic, or supported by an accredited translation
This requirement closely mirrors European regulatory practices, particularly in terms of retention and authority access.
Content of the Technical File (Minimum Requirements)
- Manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity
- Importer’s Declaration of Conformity
- Risk assessment
- Product description (including drawings, schematics, etc.)
- Test reports
- List of applicable regulations and standards
Note:
In practice, full translation of test reports (e.g., CB reports) into Arabic is generally not expected. However, summaries in Arabic are often provided by local laboratories.
Annex 1: Essential Requirements
A major structural change is the relocation of mechanical, electrical, and chemical requirements into Annex 1, along with new design-related obligations.
Electrical Requirements (Expanded)
The new regulation introduces significantly enhanced electrical safety provisions, including:
Battery Management System (BMS) requirements
Protection against:
Overcharge and over-discharge
Leakage current
Short circuits
Reverse polarity
Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Electric arcing
Reverse charging
A particularly notable addition: Mandatory emergency switch-off function, either on the battery itself or the host device
Mechanical Requirements (Enhanced)
In addition to standard requirements such as vibration and drop resistance:
A new clause requires a visual inspection feature, such as:
A transparent window, or
Another indicator enabling inspection of the battery’s condition
Chemical Requirements
No significant changes have been introduced in this area.
Additional Documentation Requirements
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Instructions for use, which may be: Printed, or Provided electronically via QR code
Enforcement Timeline
- Enforcement date: 180 days after publication in the Official Journal
- Transition period: 1 year from publication
Current Status and Expected Timeline:
As of now, the regulation is still under the WTO notification and commenting phase, which is expected to conclude on May 1st. Based on typical regulatory timelines in Saudi Arabia:
- Publication in the Official Journal is likely around June
- Enforcement would therefore be expected around January 2027
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