“SASO is striving to boost bilateral trade exchange between Saudi Arabia and other countries through ensuring the smooth flow of products by maintaining all the approved quality standards and specifications,” he said.

Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency on the occasion of a meeting hosted by SASO involving prominent Saudi commercial attaches here on Saturday, Mulla said the organization has signed as many as 15 agreements with a number of countries in order to ensure the quality of products being imported into the Kingdom. SASO has also signed agreements with 10 international laboratories with regard to carrying out necessary inspections and tests.

Mulla lauded the efforts being made by the Saudi commercial attachés in further boosting trade exchange between the Kingdom and other countries.

“Saudi Arabia is witnessing robust economic growth thanks to the wise policies being pursued by the government. This has produced a positive impact on further strengthening the economy to reach new heights on the global economic map and that resulted in the Kingdom’s joining of the G-20,” he pointed out.

According to Mulla, SASO has so far issued more than 24,600 standards and specifications in various fields, of which most were in compliance with international standards.

“These standards constitute the first line of defense for the protection of consumers as well as the Saudi market from commercial fraud, and ensuring the safety and health of consumers,” he said, while highlighting the key role being played by SASO-approved laboratories in ensuring the safety and security of imported products.

Mulla noted that a huge quantity of products not in conformity with Saudi standards and specifications had been withdrawn from the local market, in addition to concerned authorities being notified such as the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Customs Department so punitive measures could be taken against the violators.

According to Mulla, SASO has so far approved more than 45 laboratories in various fields across the Kingdom. He also highlighted the pivotal role being played by the organization in ensuring the safety and security of products at regional and global levels and this was in cooperation with a number of organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Organization of Legal Metrology, and GCC Standardization Organization (GSO).

SASO, established in 1972, is responsible for determining and enforcing approved standards of services, facilities, utilities and products within the Kingdom, as well as ensuring the well-being of the general public through issuing and implementing standards, quality and metrology systems. Its objectives include consumer protection and maintaining public health and safety as well as environmental protection.