Saudi Arabia to Introduce a Common Charging Solution for Radio and IT Equipment

Authored by Rebeka El-Hadad, Regulatory Analyst, Compliance & Risks

Introduction of USB Type-C

The Saudi Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and the Saudi Organization for Standardization, Metrology, and Quality (SASO) have notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of their proposed joint Decision to introduce a common charging solution (USB Type-C) for a broad range of radio and information technology equipment.

Scope and Implementation

The draft Decision aims to improve user experience, prevent additional costs, offer high-quality charging and data transfer technology, and support sustainability by reducing the volume of e-waste. It is to be applied in two stages.

From January 2025, the products below would comply with the new requirement:

• Mobile phones
• Tablets
• Digital cameras
• e-readers
• Handheld video game consoles
• Headphones
• Earbuds
• Keyboards
• Mice
• Portable navigation systems
• Wireless routers
• Speakers and portable speakers

From April 2026, the unified charger requirements will extend to laptops.

The draft Decision also covers labeling requirements, including instructions related to charging devices and information on the minimum and maximum supported power. Moreover, the following mandatory standards will be updated to the 2022 versions:

• SASO IEC 62680-1-2 Universal serial bus interfaces for data and power – Part 1-2: Common components – USB Power Delivery specification
• SASO IEC 62680-1-3 Universal serial bus interfaces for data and power – Part 1-3: Common components – USB Type-C cable and connector specification

Next Steps

The WTO deadline for comments is 3 October 2023. The text of this draft Decision has not been provided in the notification. Compliance & Risks have reached out to the authorities to obtain a copy of the text, and this will soon be added to C2P, our regulatory compliance SaaS solution.

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