Saudi Accreditation Center

Under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, the Saudi Accreditation Center (SAAC) and the Saudi Irrigation Organization (SIO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two entities in the fields of quality and accreditation and expanding areas of joint collaboration to enhance the efficiency of related activities and services.

The MoU was signed on behalf of SAAC by its CEO, Dr. Adel Alkeaid, and on behalf of SIO by its CEO, Eng. Mohammed Abu Haid.

Areas of cooperation include providing accreditation services for SIO's activities, utilizing laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies accredited by SAAC, as well as providing training and technical qualification services for SIO personnel. The MoU also covers the exchange of scientific and practical expertise and the sharing of data, research, and studies of mutual interest.

The MoU comes as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional partnerships and promote the integration of efforts in the fields of quality and accreditation, contributing to the development of the Kingdom's quality infrastructure.

The Saudi Accreditation Center (SAAC), in collaboration with the Federation of Saudi Chambers, represented by the National Committee for Conformity Assessment Bodies, organized the 2026 Annual Meeting of Conformity Assessment Bodies in Riyadh. The meeting was attended by the Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, SAAC's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Adel Al-Quaid, senior officials from the Center, and representatives of conformity assessment bodies from the public and private sectors.

During the meeting, SAAC's Chief Executive Officer delivered a speech emphasizing that conformity assessment bodies are key partners in building a robust quality infrastructure. He highlighted that direct engagement with these bodies and incorporating their feedback and insights are fundamental to enhancing accreditation services and improving their efficiency.

He further noted that the number of accredited conformity assessment bodies has exceeded 1,000, reflecting the continued growth of the sector and reinforcing the Center's commitment to further developing its services, enhancing the efficiency of the accreditation system, and strengthening its role in supporting the Kingdom's quality infrastructure.

The meeting also featured an overview of the latest developments in the accreditation system and discussions on several topics relevant to the operations of conformity assessment bodies. Participants explored key challenges and opportunities for improvement while exchanging perspectives and proposals aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Center and its stakeholders, enhancing the beneficiary experience, and improving service efficiency.

The annual meeting reflects SAAC's ongoing commitment to fostering effective partnerships with conformity assessment bodies and providing a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange. These efforts contribute to the advancement of the conformity assessment sector, strengthen confidence in the quality of products and services, and reinforce the role of accreditation in supporting the Kingdom's quality infrastructure.

As part of its Accreditation Dialogues series, Saudi Accreditation concluded a panel discussion titled “ISO 15189 International Standard for Medical Laboratories: From Implementing Requirements to Fostering a Culture of Quality,” with the participation of more than 100 professionals and stakeholders.

Led by a distinguished panel of experts, the session highlighted the key requirements of ISO 15189, best practices for its implementation in medical laboratories, and its role in enhancing competence and fostering a culture of quality. The session also provided a platform to discuss challenges facing the sector and address participants’ questions.