On May 28, 2026, the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization released SASO 2663:2026, introducing new mandatory energy and water efficiency requirements that deserve close attention from appliance exporters, post-press binding system manufacturers, equipment integrators, and compliance service providers. The notable industry concern is that the standard is stated to apply not only to household and similar appliances, but also to commercial-grade Binding Systems exported to Saudi Arabia, requiring smart power monitoring capability and SASO-recognized laboratory certification.

Event Overview

On May 28, 2026, SASO officially issued SASO 2663:2026, titled Energy Efficiency and Water Efficiency Requirements for Household and Similar Electrical Appliances.

According to the provided information, the standard for the first time includes mandatory clauses covering “automatic sleep power consumption of no more than 0.5W” and “real-time uploading of energy consumption data in standby mode.”

The published information also states that the standard simultaneously applies to commercial-grade Binding Systems, including perfect binding lines and hardcover binding linkage lines. Equipment exported to Saudi Arabia must be equipped with an embedded power consumption monitoring module compliant with IEC 62301:2011 and must obtain certification through a SASO-recognized laboratory.

Which Industry Segments Are Affected

Direct Exporters to the Saudi Market

Direct trade companies exporting Binding Systems to Saudi Arabia are affected because the new requirement is linked to market access for equipment shipments. The impact is mainly reflected in export documentation, product configuration confirmation, and certification preparation before shipment.

From an industry perspective, exporters may need to verify whether existing products already include embedded power consumption monitoring modules that meet IEC 62301:2011. If not, order delivery schedules and contract execution may require additional compliance checks before goods are exported.

Post-Press Binding System Manufacturers

Manufacturers of perfect binding lines, hardcover binding linkage lines, and other commercial-grade Binding Systems are directly affected because the standard requires equipment exported to Saudi Arabia to add a compliant embedded power monitoring module.

The impact is concentrated in product design, electrical control configuration, standby power management, and the ability to support real-time energy data uploading in standby mode. Analysis shows that manufacturers serving the Saudi market may need to review whether their current control systems can support the newly required monitoring and data transmission functions.

Equipment Integrators and Automation Solution Providers

Equipment integrators may be affected where they are responsible for configuring control cabinets, power management systems, or embedded monitoring devices for Binding Systems. The requirement for a module compliant with IEC 62301:2011 means that integration work can no longer focus only on mechanical performance and production linkage.

Observably, the practical impact may appear in module selection, interface compatibility, data acquisition logic, and verification before certification. Integrators involved in Saudi-bound projects should pay particular attention to whether the final system, rather than only a single component, can satisfy the stated standby power and data-upload requirements.

Component Procurement and Supply Chain Teams

Procurement teams are affected because the new rule introduces a specific technical requirement for embedded power consumption monitoring modules. This may influence supplier screening, component specification confirmation, and procurement lead-time planning.

Current attention should be placed on whether purchased modules can support IEC 62301:2011-related measurement requirements and whether suppliers can provide documentation needed for SASO-recognized laboratory certification. The impact is not limited to purchasing cost; it also concerns documentation completeness and technical traceability.

Certification and Compliance Service Providers

Certification agencies, testing laboratories, and compliance consultants may see increased demand from exporters and equipment manufacturers preparing for Saudi market access. The key impact comes from the requirement that Saudi-bound equipment pass certification through a SASO-recognized laboratory.

From an industry perspective, compliance service providers should focus on helping companies distinguish between internal technical upgrades and formal certification requirements, especially where Binding Systems were previously treated mainly as industrial or commercial equipment rather than products subject to appliance-style energy efficiency clauses.

What Companies and Practitioners Should Watch and How to Respond

Track Further Official Clarifications

Companies should continue to monitor official SASO communications related to SASO 2663:2026, especially any further interpretation concerning commercial-grade Binding Systems, certification procedures, and accepted testing arrangements.

Current attention should remain on confirmed requirements: automatic sleep power consumption of no more than 0.5W, real-time energy data uploading in standby mode, embedded power consumption monitoring modules compliant with IEC 62301:2011, and certification through a SASO-recognized laboratory.

Review Saudi-Bound Product Configurations

Exporters and manufacturers should identify which models, production lines, or system configurations are intended for Saudi Arabia. The review should focus on perfect binding lines, hardcover binding linkage lines, and other commercial-grade Binding Systems covered by the provided information.

Analysis shows that a practical first step is to compare existing equipment specifications with the new mandatory items. Companies should verify sleep power performance, standby monitoring capability, data upload function, and whether an embedded monitoring module is already included or must be added.

Separate Policy Signal from Shipment Execution

It is important to distinguish the release of the standard from each company’s specific shipment status. The publication of SASO 2663:2026 is a confirmed regulatory update, while the actual impact on delivery schedules depends on product configuration, certification readiness, and whether the equipment is exported to Saudi Arabia.

From an industry perspective, companies should avoid assuming that all existing orders are automatically compliant. They should also avoid treating the update as only a general policy signal if their equipment falls within the stated Binding Systems scope for the Saudi market.

Prepare Documentation and Supplier Communication Early

Companies involved in procurement, manufacturing, export, or certification should prepare technical files related to power monitoring modules, standby power control, and energy data transmission. Communication with module suppliers should include compliance with IEC 62301:2011 and documentation support for SASO-recognized laboratory certification.

Observably, early coordination can reduce uncertainty in product redesign, testing preparation, and export documentation. For Saudi-bound Binding Systems, compliance planning should be integrated into order review rather than postponed until shipment.

Editor’s View / Industry Observation

Analysis shows that this update is more than a routine appliance energy efficiency change for companies exporting post-press equipment to Saudi Arabia. Because the provided information states that commercial-grade Binding Systems are also covered, the standard may bring energy monitoring and standby power management into equipment categories that are typically discussed in terms of production efficiency and mechanical performance.

Current attention should be placed on the practical compliance path. The rule has already been released, but companies still need to confirm how it applies to their specific models, configurations, and export contracts. It is therefore better understood as a regulatory requirement that has formed, while its operational impact will depend on product readiness and certification execution.

From an industry perspective, the most important signal is that energy efficiency compliance is becoming more embedded in export equipment configuration. For manufacturers and exporters serving Saudi Arabia, technical compliance, supplier documentation, and certification planning may become part of standard project preparation for Binding Systems.

Conclusion

The release of SASO 2663:2026 on May 28, 2026 gives the Saudi market a clearer compliance framework for energy and water efficiency requirements, and it specifically affects Saudi-bound commercial-grade Binding Systems under the provided information.

For relevant companies, the immediate priority is not broad speculation, but targeted verification: whether the equipment includes a compliant embedded power consumption monitoring module, whether standby and sleep power requirements can be met, and whether certification through a SASO-recognized laboratory can be arranged. It is currently more appropriate to understand this update as a concrete compliance signal with direct implications for product configuration, export preparation, and certification planning.

Information Source Statement

Main source: Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization release of SASO 2663:2026, dated May 28, 2026, as described in the provided event information.

Referenced standard in the provided information: IEC 62301:2011, relating to the embedded power consumption monitoring module requirement.

Items requiring continued observation: further official SASO explanations, detailed certification procedures through SASO-recognized laboratories, and implementation guidance for specific commercial-grade Binding System configurations.