SABER DESKSaber Desk · Free article
Routers, CPE, ONT/HAG and Wi-Fi distribution devices: what SASO 3114 changes for network-equipment importers
The short answer
Half of the SASO 3114:2026 scope is network equipment. SASO's Wasif store record lists "Routers and Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)", "ONT (Optical Network Terminal) and HAG (Home Access Gateway), intended to be used either for carrier-owned or open-access network" and "Wi-Fi Distribution devices".
For these products the SABER circular sets the same three dates as for phones: a grace period until 31 October 2026; from 1 November 2026, no certificate of conformity for a covered product unless it meets SASO 3114:2026; and certificates issued under the old standard, SASO CITC GEN-002, discontinued by 31 March 2027 at the latest.
The practical question for distributors and suppliers of network equipment: which of your certified models rely on GEN-002 test reports, and which of those reports will not carry over?
The three network categories, verbatim
From SASO's Wasif store record (read 28 September 2026):
1.0.3 Routers and Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)
1.0.5 ONT (Optical Network Terminal) and HAG (Home Access Gateway), intended to be used either for carrier-owned or open-access network
1.0.6 Wi-Fi Distribution devices
Three practical notes:
- The record gives categories, not definitions. The definitions sit inside the standard itself — 15 pages in English, sold on Wasif.
- ONT and HAG are covered whether they are meant for a carrier-owned network or an open-access one: the record names both.
- The record does not split routers into wired and wireless, and does not define "Wi-Fi Distribution devices". Whether a specific model is covered is a classification question for your Certification Body.
What changes for importers of network equipment
- New certificates. From 1 November 2026, a covered model gets a certificate of conformity only if it meets SASO 3114:2026. A test report that satisfied GEN-002 may not be enough — ask your lab for a gap check against the new standard.
- Existing certificates. A PCoC or SCoC issued under GEN-002 is discontinued by 31 March 2027 at the latest, even if it shows a later expiry. List every model whose certificate was issued under GEN-002 and plan re-certification so that no shipment after March 2027 depends on one.
- Timing. Re-testing and re-certification take weeks, so the practical deadline for the gap check is well before 31 October.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Now → 31 October 2026 | Grace period: confirm scope with your CB, gap-check test reports, book re-testing |
| From 1 November 2026 | New certificates for covered network equipment only under SASO 3114:2026 |
| By 31 March 2027 | GEN-002 certificates of conformity and shipment certificates discontinued |
The rest of the path for a wireless router or CPE
- CST type approval for any device with a radio — Wi-Fi or cellular. Typically about 3–4 weeks in practice.
- IECEE recognition via JEEM, where required — officially up to 15 working days. Confirm the current scope for your HS code on JEEM.
- Test reports to IEC 62368-1 (IEC 60950-1 reports are no longer accepted) and the RoHS file.
- USB Type-C. Wireless routers appear in both USB-C notices: the first mandatory phase announced by CST and SASO (in force since 1 January 2025), and the SABER circular under which SABER applies the requirement from 1 May 2026, checking SASO IEC 62680-1-2:2023 and SASO IEC 62680-1-3:2023. Ask your CB how it applies to each model.
- SABER: registration, Certification Body, the PCoC for each model, then an SCoC for each shipment (valid 90 days — SASO, 15 Sep 2026).
What does not change
- The sequence above.
- The SCoC stays valid for 90 days (SASO, 15 Sep 2026), and it can only be issued while the model's PCoC is valid.
- Products outside the six SASO 3114 categories are not affected — confirm with your CB.
Frequently asked questions
Does SASO 3114 cover wired routers without Wi-Fi?
The record lists "Routers and Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)" without separating wired from wireless. Check the specific model with your Certification Body.
We supply ONTs to a telecom operator, not to retail. Are they covered?
The record covers ONT and HAG "intended to be used either for carrier-owned or open-access network" — both cases are named.
Are our existing router certificates still valid?
Certificates issued under GEN-002 stay usable until 31 March 2027 at the latest, whatever expiry they show. From 1 November 2026, new certificates for covered models require SASO 3114:2026.
Does a CST type approval cover the SABER side?
No. CST type approval is a prerequisite; the PCoC and SCoC are separate SABER certificates, issued through a Certification Body.
Sources: SABER circular updateStandardSpecification.pdf (saber.sa; read 28 Sep and again 4 Oct 2026; md5 d41e7bc3…, PDF created 21 May 2026) · SASO standards store (Wasif), record SASO-3114 — read 28 Sep 2026 · CST news, 23 October 2024 — “CST and SASO Announced that the First Mandatory Phase of the Unified Charging Ports…” (cst.gov.sa; read 28 Sep, 4 Oct and 11 Oct 2026) · SABER circular unify-shipping-outlets.pdf (saber.sa; md5 b197053c…, created 12 Mar 2026) · SABER service cards for the product and shipment certificates (saber.sa; read 26 Sep 2026) · SASO news, 15 September 2026, on the 90-day SCoC validity — saso.gov.sa (in Arabic); read 12 Oct 2026 · CST, Regulations for Licensing of Telecommunications and Information Technology Equipment (cst.gov.sa; decision dated 08/02/2024).
Go deeper, in both languages
The free sample covers the prerequisite stack, PCoC basics and 3 of the 7 traps — one English PDF and one Arabic PDF. The full Compliance Guide has the whole enforced path, every fee and timeline, all 7 traps with fixes, the invoice-matching checklist and a first-year budget worksheet.
Saber Desk is an independent reference — not a certification body, and not affiliated with SASO. We do not issue certificates. Fees and processing times are the official figures published on saber.sa unless marked as observed practice; confirm HS codes and required standards for a specific shipment with your Certification Body. Edition: October 2026.