Saudi SASO Launches ICT-2026 AI Review System for ICT Products

Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) officially launched the ICT-2026 AI review system on May 9, 2026, to streamline conformity assessment for smart terminal products under the SASO Certificate of Conformity (CoC) scheme. This update directly affects exporters and manufacturers of POS hardware, self-service kiosks, and digital signage — particularly those based in China — due to newly mandated Arabic UI localization requirements and a compressed review timeline.

Event Overview

On May 9, 2026, SASO activated the ICT-2026 AI review system exclusively for information and communication technology (ICT) terminal products seeking SASO CoC certification. The system requires mandatory submission of Arabic-language user interface screenshots and documentation outlining localization logic. Previously, the average review cycle was 45 days; it is now reduced to 15 working days.

Industries Affected

Export-Oriented Manufacturing Enterprises

Manufacturers exporting POS terminals, kiosks, or digital signage to Saudi Arabia are directly affected because the new system enforces Arabic UI compliance as a prerequisite for certification. Impact manifests in revised pre-submission testing protocols, increased documentation burden, and tighter internal timelines for localization validation.

Localization & Testing Service Providers

Third-party labs and localization vendors supporting export clients must now align test reports and UI verification outputs with SASO’s updated technical expectations. The shortened 15-day window increases pressure on turnaround time, requiring earlier engagement and more granular Arabic UI logic documentation than previously required.

Distribution & Certification Intermediaries

Agents and certification consultants facilitating SASO CoC applications face revised procedural checkpoints: Arabic UI evidence must be verified before submission, and any discrepancy between submitted screenshots and live device behavior may trigger AI-driven rejection. This raises the bar for pre-submission quality assurance handoffs.

What Stakeholders Should Monitor and Do Now

Track official SASO guidance updates on UI scope and localization logic definitions

Current specifications do not detail whether dynamic content, error messages, or accessibility features fall under mandatory Arabic coverage. Exporters should monitor SASO’s public notices and portal announcements for clarifications — especially regarding edge cases like multilingual fallback behavior.

Validate Arabic UI implementation against real-device rendering, not just static screenshots

The ICT-2026 system uses AI to cross-check submitted screenshots with functional logic descriptions. Discrepancies — such as untranslated tooltips, hardcoded English strings, or inconsistent right-to-left layout — may result in automatic flagging. Firms should conduct end-to-end Arabic UI tests on physical units prior to submission.

Adjust internal certification timelines to accommodate parallel localization and functional testing

With the review window cut from 45 to 15 working days, there is no room for iterative resubmissions. Companies should integrate Arabic UI verification into early-stage development cycles and allocate dedicated resources for bilingual QA sign-off before initiating the formal SASO application process.

Confirm whether legacy submissions under the previous system remain valid through transition periods

As of May 9, 2026, the ICT-2026 system is active, but SASO has not publicly confirmed whether pending applications under the prior workflow will be migrated, extended, or invalidated. Exporters with ongoing certifications should verify case status directly via SASO’s e-portal or authorized representatives.

Editorial Perspective / Industry Observation

Observably, the ICT-2026 rollout signals SASO’s broader shift toward automated, language-aware regulatory enforcement — not merely an efficiency upgrade. Analysis shows this move prioritizes consumer-facing usability over technical compliance alone, effectively raising the market access threshold for ICT hardware in Saudi Arabia. It is better understood as both a procedural change and a policy signal: localization is now treated as a core conformity requirement, not a supplementary documentation item. From an industry perspective, sustained attention is warranted because future SASO AI modules for other product categories (e.g., home appliances or medical devices) may adopt similar linguistic validation logic.

This development underscores how regulatory digitization increasingly intersects with language and interface design — a convergence that extends beyond translation into architecture-level product planning.

In summary, the ICT-2026 system represents a concrete operational shift — not just a theoretical policy update — for firms targeting the Saudi ICT hardware market. Its significance lies less in speed alone and more in the formalized linkage between software localization, regulatory approval, and AI-assisted verification. Currently, it is most accurately interpreted as a binding procedural requirement with immediate implications for product release planning, rather than a long-term strategic trend still under development.

Source: Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) official announcement, effective May 9, 2026.
Noted for continued observation: SASO’s forthcoming clarifications on scope boundaries (e.g., firmware vs. cloud-based UI elements) and transitional arrangements for applications submitted before May 9, 2026.