SASO Updates EMC Standard for VR Haptic Devices in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) revised its electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standard for VR haptic devices on April 18, 2026 — mandating Class B emission limits for commercial-grade VR haptic equipment. This update directly affects manufacturers and exporters of VR treadmills, AR interactive walls, and immersive training pods targeting the Saudi market.

Event Overview

On April 18, 2026, SASO published the updated standard SASO IEC 61000-6-3:2026. The revision upgrades the required EMC emission limits for commercial VR haptic devices — including VR treadmills, AR interactive walls, and immersive training cabins — from Class A to Class B. Class B applies to equipment intended for residential and mixed commercial-residential environments. Products failing to meet the new Class B limits will be prohibited from customs clearance in Saudi Arabia starting July 1, 2026. Chinese manufacturers must complete technical compliance adjustments and SASO registration (including application of the updated conformity mark) within 60 days of the standard’s publication.

Industries Affected

VR/AR Hardware Manufacturers (OEM/ODM)

Manufacturers producing VR haptic systems for export to Saudi Arabia are directly impacted because Class B imposes stricter radiated and conducted emission thresholds than Class A — particularly at lower frequencies (e.g., 150 kHz–30 MHz). Compliance may require redesign of power supplies, shielding of control boards, or retesting of entire system configurations.

Export Trading Companies & Distributors

Trading firms handling VR haptic equipment destined for Saudi Arabia face heightened pre-shipment verification responsibilities. Under the new rule, customs rejection risk increases significantly if products lack valid SASO registration tied to the 2026 Class B declaration. Documentation alignment — especially between test reports, technical files, and SASO’s e-SASO portal entries — becomes a critical operational checkpoint.

EMC Testing Laboratories & Certification Bodies

Laboratories accredited for SASO EMC testing must confirm their test protocols and report templates align with SASO IEC 61000-6-3:2026. Notably, the standard references updated measurement setups and uncertainty requirements under Class B. Labs serving Chinese exporters may see increased demand for pre-compliance scans and full-system Class B validation — especially for multi-component immersive setups where subsystem interactions affect overall emissions.

What Relevant Enterprises Should Monitor and Do Now

Confirm product classification against SASO’s official scope notes

Analysis shows SASO’s definition of “commercial VR haptic devices” explicitly includes VR treadmills, AR interactive walls, and immersive training cabins — but excludes standalone VR headsets without integrated motion feedback or environmental actuation. Exporters should verify whether their specific models fall within the regulated scope before initiating redesign or retesting.

Validate existing test reports against the 2026 edition’s technical annexes

From industry perspective, many Class A test reports issued under prior editions (e.g., SASO IEC 61000-6-3:2019) do not cover Class B margin assessments or updated test site validation criteria. Firms should cross-check report dates, test standards cited, and measurement uncertainty statements — rather than assuming prior certification remains valid.

Initiate SASO registration updates no later than June 17, 2026

Current more suitable understanding is that SASO’s e-SASO portal requires separate product registrations for each model line, and newly submitted registrations must reference SASO IEC 61000-6-3:2026 and include Class B-compliant test reports. Registration processing times can exceed 10 working days; submitting by mid-June allows buffer for document correction or clarification requests.

Review supply chain components for potential EMC ripple effects

Observation shows that even minor changes — such as switching to a different AC-DC adapter or motor driver IC — may shift emission profiles beyond Class B limits. Manufacturers should audit bill-of-materials (BOM) revisions made since last certification and re-evaluate high-risk subassemblies (e.g., motion-control modules, haptic feedback actuators) for retesting.

Editorial Perspective / Industry Observation

This update is better understood as a regulatory signal confirming SASO’s strategic shift toward harmonizing EMC enforcement with end-user environment realities — especially as immersive training and experiential retail spaces expand across Saudi cities. From industry angle, it reflects tightening alignment with IEC 61000-6-3:2023 (Ed. 4.0), suggesting future SASO revisions may further emphasize real-world installation conditions over lab-only performance. It is not yet a broad-based market barrier, but rather a targeted technical gate — one that rewards proactive compliance planning over reactive remediation.

More importantly, this change signals that SASO is increasingly treating immersive technology hardware not as niche industrial equipment (Class A), but as consumer-facing infrastructure — placing greater emphasis on coexistence with residential electronics and wireless networks. That framing may inform future requirements in areas such as cybersecurity or energy efficiency.

Therefore, the current impact is operational and time-bound — not structural. However, sustained attention is warranted: SASO has indicated that additional updates to the broader SASO IEC 61000 series are under review, with possible announcements expected in Q3 2026.

Conclusion

This SASO update does not represent a wholesale market access shift, but rather a precise technical recalibration for a defined subset of VR haptic products. Its significance lies in the compressed timeline (60-day implementation window) and the explicit linkage between EMC class designation and physical deployment context. For affected stakeholders, the priority is not speculation about future standards — but ensuring traceable, documented, and portal-aligned Class B compliance by the July 1, 2026 enforcement date.

Information Source

Main source: SASO Official Gazette Notice No. SASO/EMC/VR/2026-001, published April 18, 2026. Pending observation: SASO’s official interpretation of ‘immersive training cabin’ boundaries — particularly regarding modular or retrofit installations — remains subject to case-by-case evaluation and is not yet codified in publicly available guidance documents.