Joint Workshop Series with SASO Explores Emerging and Evolving Technologies

Throughout 2021, Underwriters Laboratories and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) hosted a joint virtual workshop series to share standardization and safety information related to emerging and evolving technologies. To create the workshop, the two organizations worked together to identify relevant topics for SASO and Saudi Arabia.

Eleven sessions were held throughout the year to discuss key topics including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), autonomous vehicles, circular economy, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence (AI). Each workshop provided an overview of safety and security challenges associated with the technology and addressed how UL standards can be adopted by SASO or adapted with national differences to address these challenges.

“Through this series of workshops with SASO, we have been able to explore how Standards could help drive the safety and sustainability of current and emerging technologies in Saudi Arabia... We look forward to a deeper association as we work together to help make Saudi Arabia safer, more secure, and more sustainable.” - Phil Piqueira, vice president of Global Standards, UL Standards & Engagement

Underwriters Laboratories and SASO began working together in 2007 through the signing of a collaborative memorandum of understanding (MOU). Through the partnership, the two organizations have committed to promoting mutual communication and collaboration, and increasing knowledge of each other’s standards development activities.

“Through this series of workshops with SASO, we have been able to explore how Standards could help drive the safety and sustainability of current and emerging technologies in Saudi Arabia. It was a great opportunity to exchange information and to have all voices heard,” said Phil Piqueira, vice president of Global Standards at Underwriters Laboratories. “Based on the successful interaction and participation by SASO members and other stakeholders, we look forward to deeper association as we work together to help make Saudi Arabia safer, more secure, and more sustainable.”

“SASO is pleased to be working in various fields and technologies with international standardization bodies,” said Saad Al Hatem, director general of the Standards Department at SASO. “UL Standards & Engagement, along with the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, recently provided the opportunity for experts from both sides to transfer experiences and knowledge by involving them and holding several workshops on the topics which support the development of standards in order to enhance protection the consumer and to achieve the goals of sustainable development."

The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization

The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (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.