The Customs Department has made it mandatory on all companies importing safety equipment, extinguishers and elevators to apply for a license to import and sell such equipment. Import companies are also required now to have their registration certificates, whether newly issued or renewed ones, approved by the Civil Defense and obtain a conformity certificate from the country of origin. These procedures are in line with the recommendations made by a committee with members from the Ministry of Interior, said Saud Al-Fahd, Assistant Director of the Customs Department. “The committee is in charge of regulating the work of companies importing safety equipment and elevators. We're not going to give clearance to any safety equipment if the company importing them doesn't have a license. The company should also have the license approved by the Civil Defense and provide the Customs Department with a conformity certificate.” If there is no conformity certificate, samples will be sent to the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) or one of the SASO-approved laboratories, Al
