I. Three-Tiered Standards System: International, GCC, and National
Energy storage regulations in the Middle East follow a three-tiered structure: international, regional, and national. The international tier serves as the technical baseline; energy storage batteries must comply with international standards such as IEC 62619 (safety of industrial lithium secondary cells/batteries), the IEC 62933 series (electrical energy storage systems), and UN 38.3 (transport safety).
At the regional level, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Standardization Organization coordinates technical regulations across the six Gulf states; these are based on IEC standards but incorporate additional requirements specific to the region’s climate and culture, with most electrical products requiring the G-Mark conformity mark. At the national level, agencies such as SASO (Saudi Arabia) and ESMA (UAE) transpose these into mandatory local regulations and impose stricter requirements through utility company procurement specifications. Chinese enterprises entering the Middle East cannot rely on CE or UL certificates alone;
they must obtain separate certifications for the specific destination country.
II.
Saudi Arabia: Dual-Certification Clearance (SASO Certification + SABER)
Saudi Arabia is the largest energy storage market in the Middle East, and market access centers on the SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization) system.
With the implementation of the “Regulations on the Safety Supervision of Energy Storage Equipment” in March 2025, all energy storage batteries must obtain SASO energy storage product certification; uncertified products are strictly prohibited from importation.
Certification is categorized into three types: individual cells and battery packs apply for a CoC certificate based on SASO/IEC 62133-2:2017 (valid for 3 years, subject to annual surveillance); commercial/industrial and residential energy storage systems apply for energy storage battery certification based on SASO/IEC 62619:2022 (valid for 3 years); and the mandatory Saudi standard SASO 2870 adds tropical climate adaptability testing (50°C, 95% relative humidity) and Arabic labeling requirements to the IEC 62619 baseline.
Customs clearance is processed via the SABER platform: first, register for a PC certificate (model registration, valid for 1 year), then apply for an SC certificate per shipment; both registrations must be completed by the local Saudi importer on the SABER platform, and certificate details must match the shipment specifics.
III.
UAE: Dual Market Access via ECAS Certification and DEWA Approved List
Energy storage components in the UAE must obtain ECAS (Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme) certification, issued by conformity assessment bodies authorized by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT); products lacking this certification will be detained at the port.
Battery energy storage systems primarily follow IEC 62619 for safety, with UL 1973 accepted as an equivalent standard; performance testing follows IEC 62620, and UN 38.3 reports are required for transportation. ECAS certificates are issued for specific models and capacities—general manufacturer certificates are invalid—and are valid for 1 to 3 years.
Parallel to ECAS is utility-level access: projects in Dubai require equipment to be included on the DEWA approved list (Hab Reeh registration) and must meet DEWA grid code requirements regarding EMS communication protocols (such as IEC 61850), while Abu Dhabi requires third-party commissioning inspections mandated by ADWEC.
In short, ECAS governs “import and sales eligibility,” while the DEWA list governs “grid-connection and installation eligibility”; both are mandatory.
IV. Extreme Environments and Localization Requirements
Technical requirements for energy storage components in the Middle East significantly exceed general international standards.
High-temperature conditions: Saudi Arabia requires battery systems to operate at rated power in an ambient temperature of 55°C, with capacity degradation not exceeding 8% after 100 cycles (per the SASO 1502:2025 high-temperature test standard introduced in 2025); the UAE’s DEWA mandates a service life of at least eight years at 55°C, leading the industry to widely adopt liquid cooling solutions and design thermal management systems to operate without derating at that temperature. Protection standards: Outdoor equipment requires a minimum IP65 protection rating; projects in coastal areas (Jeddah, Yanbu, Jubail) must pass a salt spray test of at least 240 hours, and containerized energy storage units typically utilize C5-M grade anti-corrosion coatings. Grid requirements: Due to the relative fragility of Middle Eastern power grids, requirements for Low-Voltage Ride-Through (LVRT), High-Voltage Ride-Through (HVRT), and black-start capabilities often surpass IEC standards.
Localization: Large-scale projects in Saudi Arabia incorporate Local Content Requirement (LCR) scoring; government tenders mandate specific local procurement ratios (raised to 50% in 2025); SABER registration must be completed by a local importer; and product labels, manuals, and packaging must be in Arabic (or bilingual Arabic-English).
V. Practical Implementation Pathways and Trends
Practical advice for exporting to the Middle East follows a three-step approach: First, plan the certification pathway by prioritizing the acquisition of IECEE CB certificates (IEC 62133-2 or IEC 62619). Since Saudi Arabia’s SASO standards are technically equivalent to CB standards, test data can be largely reused—requiring only supplementary testing for national deviations—which significantly shortens certification timelines (from 6–10 weeks) and cuts testing costs by approximately 30%; a joint application for CE, SASO, and KC certifications can yield overall savings of 30% to 50%. Second, ensure environmental adaptability; incorporate requirements for full-power operation at 55°C, IP65-level protection, and resistance to salt spray and dust into the R&D and design phases to prevent rejection upon arrival due to non-compliance. Third, establish a local presence; partner with local importers to complete SABER/ECAS registration and align with Saudi Arabia’s Local Content Requirements (LCR) and policies allowing 100% foreign ownership of manufacturing plants. Chinese enterprises have already deeply integrated into local supply chains through joint ventures (such as the 30GWh-class battery plant established in partnership with the Saudi sovereign wealth fund).
Regarding trends, the period from 2026 to 2028 is expected to be a boom era for energy storage in the Middle East;
driven by 2030 targets (48GWh for Saudi Arabia and 6GWh for the UAE) and bundled solar-plus-storage tenders, differentiated technical capabilities for high-temperature and dusty environments are becoming the decisive factor in winning orders.
Conclusion
The requirements for exporting energy storage components to the Middle East market can be summarized as “three-tier standards, dual-country/dual-certification, high-temperature/dust resilience, and localization priority”: Saudi Arabia requires SASO plus SABER certification, while the UAE requires ECAS plus DEWA approval;
products should be designed for 55°C operation and IP65 protection; certification processes should be accelerated by leveraging CB certificate transfers; and market access should be secured through local importers and joint ventures.
Mastering compliance with the Middle East’s “extreme climate” conditions is the key to unlocking this market, which is valued in the tens of billions of dollars.
