Riyadh, October 23, 2024 – The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) announced that the first phase of mandatory unified charging ports for mobile phones and electronic devices in the Saudi market will take effect on January 1, 2025. This initiative will require the use of "USB Type-C" ports across a wide range of electronic devices, marking a significant shift in the tech landscape of the Kingdom.
According to CST and SASO, the decision to standardize charging ports is designed to enhance the user experience by providing a single, efficient charging and data transfer solution. This measure is expected to reduce consumer costs, ensure high-quality technology, and improve the overall reliability of tech products in the market. More importantly, it aligns with Saudi Arabia's environmental sustainability goals by helping to reduce electronic waste, a key component of the Kingdom's efforts to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The unified charging port initiative is expected to have a notable impact, reducing local consumption of mobile phone and device charging ports by over 2.2 million units each year. This reduction will also translate into significant financial savings for consumers, with annual savings projected to exceed 170 million Saudi Riyals. Additionally, this shift is set to reduce electronic waste by nearly 15 tons annually, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to environmental sustainability in the tech sector.
The first phase of this initiative will apply to mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, e-readers, portable video game consoles, headphones, earphones, portable speakers, amplified speakers, keyboards, computer mice, portable navigation systems, and wireless routers. A second phase, set to begin on April 1, 2026, will extend these requirements to laptops.
This initiative follows the August 6, 2023, announcement by CST and SASO outlining the roadmap for implementing the unified charging port mandate. Companies and suppliers operating in the Saudi market are required to adopt the "USB Type-C" standard in accordance with the technical regulations and specifications defined by the relevant authorities.