During a workshop that was held in Asharqia Chamber on Thursday 12 April 2018, Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization in the Eastern Region reviewed the technical regulations for building materials, which consists of two parts. The first one concerned with metals and their alloys for the construction sectors and buildings, and the second part concerned about insulation and building cladding materials. The workshop witnessed a remarkable presence of interested parties.
The Director General of the Authority in the Eastern Region, Dr. Tamas Al-Hammadi, opened the workshop. He stressed the need for companies to comply with the standards and requirements of the regulation, which come within the initiative of the Authority for the Safety of Products within the National Transformation Program 2020 and in line with the accession of the Kingdom to the World Trade Organization and the Kingdom's commitment to harmonize their relevant systems in line with the principles of the conventions of the Organization, particularly the TBT Agreement. This agreement stipulates that no unnecessary technical requirements should be put in place for the flow of goods between Member States, and that no distinction should be made between products of different origin in terms of technical requirements and conformity assessment methods. This could be done through the issuance of technical regulations covering the legitimate basic requirements and the standardization of work procedures.
In addition, Eng. Mohamed Huraira, a Quality and Conformity Expert, spoke about the requirements of the regulation of metals and alloys for construction, and insulation materials and building cladding materials. He pointed out that the regulations came into force and include commitments to the suppliers, provide technical requirements, and will clarify the responsibilities of the regulatory bodies.
Huraira said that the regulation prohibits manufacturing, importing, developing and displaying the products that do not conform to its terms or even advertise for them. As a matter of fact, the product will also undergo conformity assessment procedures at all levels. he stressed the importance of matching high-risk products to the specifications and requirements of the basic quality of Saudi Arabia to protect the consumer and maintain health, which may affect the safety, health, and environment.
He pointed out that the implementation of the regulation will be mandatory. In the event of any violation, the market survey authorities shall take all necessary measures to remove the violation and its effects from the market.
He also states that the Technical Regulations are a document approved by the Board of Directors that sets out the characteristics of the products and their associated processes and methods of production. It includes the administrative provisions that are in force and must be adhered to. It also includes or looks specifically at terms, definitions, packaging, requirements for placing badges or marks on products, services, and processes or methods of production.
The Standard Specification is a document that defines the characteristics of the product, the material or the service, or all that is subject to the measurement, its specifications, characteristics, quality, dimensions, standards or safety requirements. It also includes terms, symbols, testing methods, sampling, packaging, labeling and branding.
The workshop also tackled the mechanism of obtaining the quality mark through the presentation that was presented by Mohammed Hakami. He noted that the quality mark is an important means to guide the consumer towards the goods conforming to the Saudi Standard Specifications. As the quality mark gives the products the satisfaction and the confidence of the consumer, it contributes to increased sales.
He pointed out that the advantages of the quality mark that it is working to build appropriate commercial bases to facilitate the conclusion of export agreements with foreign countries. It also guarantees the continuous development and improvement of the product by following the modern scientific methods that work to improve the product and enhance its competitiveness in the global markets. Moreover, it works in rehabilitating the establishments to obtain local and international quality awards through enhancing the reputation of the local, regional, and international brands, and the smooth flow of goods through the customs outlets. It also helps to facilitate the export of products with the mark abroad, to support the national economy, and to raise the competitiveness of Saudi products in the domestic and international markets, which works to increase the Saudi exports.
He stressed that the procedures for obtaining the quality mark comes through the establishment as it should formally apply for a license to use the logo of quality mark or certificate of conformity through the electronic services on the official website of the Authority and follow the steps that must be taken by the establishments.
The workshop concluded with a number of qualitative interventions from the participants, which had a role in enriching the workshop and its excellence.
