Discussing Sustainability with Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization
On Oct. 18, 2021, UL Standards & Engagement participated in the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization’s (SASO) fifth Standards Forum, a virtual, World Standards Day event following the 2021 theme of ‘’Shared Vision for a Better World.’’ Standards Manager for the Middle East and North Africa Zahi Daher presented at the second workshop at the forum, which focused on the role of standards in promoting more sustainable innovations in industry and the concept of circular economy in relation to sustainability standards.
In his presentation, Daher outlined the UL Standards & Engagement journey of circular economy development including an introduction to circularity and how UL 3600, the Standard for Measuring and Reporting Circular Economy Aspects of Products, Sites and Organizations provides a way to measure and report progress towards circularity at the product, site, and corporate level. UL Standards & Engagement and SASO agreed to work closely as the organization plans to adopt UL 3600. This collaboration will include the formation of a committee to facilitate, discuss, and review the standard to address any national requirements. UL Standards & Engagement is also encouraging SASO to participate as a member of the standards technical panel (STP) that serves this Standard, STP 3600.
Participants in attendance included the Minister of Commerce of Saudi Arabia, Majid bin Abdullah Al Kassabi, Ph.D.; the Governor of SASO, Saad bin Othman Alkasabi, Ph.D.; and the ISO President, Eddy Njoro.
In 2007, UL Standards & Engagement and SASO signed a collaboration agreement to promote the sharing of standardization and safety information, as well as mutual communication and collaboration in standardization. SASO is a government body responsible for facilitating the development of standards in Saudi Arabia by coordinating standardization activities with government, industry, and the community.
SASO establishes and approves the country’s standard specifications for goods, products, services, measuring, and calibration devices. The organization also determines sampling methods, testing methods, technical inspection, and quality systems. Additionally, SASO determines technical implementation principles and conditions, classifications, engineering drawings, terms, definitions, symbols, and other matters issued by the council in the field of specifications, standards, calibration, and quality, with the exception of food and pharmaceutical products.