Check an Appliance Before You Buy: Verifying Energy Labels and the Quality Mark with Taakad
An air conditioner or fridge is a long-term purchase in Saudi Arabia. It runs for years, and its running cost shows up on every electricity bill. The label on the box helps, but only if it is genuine and matches the model in front of you.
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) offers a free app, Taakad, to check exactly that. This guide explains what it checks, how to use it in the shop and what to do if something does not match.
Quick answer
Short answer: Taakad is SASO’s consumer app for checking the Quality Mark and energy efficiency labels on electrical products such as air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators, as well as vehicles and tires. Scan the QR code on the label, or search for the product, then compare what the app shows with the label. If they do not match, use the app’s report feature, which takes you to the Ministry of Commerce’s commercial report service.
What Taakad checks
SASO’s Taakad page says the app lets consumers verify the validity of the Quality Mark and energy efficiency labels. It also lists the products that hold the Quality Mark, and lets you compare similar products on energy efficiency, cooling capacity, annual consumption and electrical input.
Taakad at a glance (SASO, checked 22 Oct 2026)
- Run by: the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO).
- Covers: electrical products such as air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators, plus vehicles and tires.
- How it works: scan the label’s QR code, or use search and compare.
- Cost: free on iOS and Android, per SASO.
- Mismatch: use the report feature to reach the Ministry of Commerce’s commercial report service.
Understanding the energy label
SASO explains that energy efficiency labels moved from “stars” to “levels” to make them easier to read. The levels show how well an appliance saves energy. SASO says the unified label applies to appliances such as air conditioners, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators and freezers, and water heaters.
For an appliance, SASO’s page lists what to compare between the app and the label: brand name, model, device type, product type, annual energy consumption, energy efficiency rate and efficiency level.
How to check in the shop
Checking an appliance with Taakad
1
Download Taakad from your phone’s official app store and confirm the publisher is SASO.
2
Find the label on the appliance or its box, and locate the QR code.
3
Scan the code. If there is no QR code, use the app’s search feature instead.
4
Compare the details: brand, model and efficiency level should match the label and the unit.
5
Check the model on the appliance itself, not just the box.
6
Report a mismatch through the app if anything differs.
| Looks right | Ask questions |
|---|---|
| App details match the label | App shows a different model or level |
| Model on the unit matches the box | Model on the unit differs |
| QR code scans to the product | Code will not scan and search finds nothing |
| Product appears in Taakad’s lists | Seller discourages you from checking |
Comparing models before you buy
The search and compare tools are useful at home too. SASO says you can compare similar products on efficiency, cooling capacity and annual consumption. Shortlist a few models, compare them in the app, then visit the shop.
A more efficient unit can lower running costs over time. Our guide to checking and paying your electricity bill helps you track consumption once it is installed.
Tip
For air conditioners, compare the cooling capacity as well as the efficiency level. A unit that is too small for the room may run harder than you expect.
Vehicles and tires
SASO’s page says Taakad also covers vehicles and tires with QR code labels. For tires, the details include the manufacturer, trade name, rim size, tire type and energy efficiency level. For new vehicles, the fuel economy label can be scanned and compared too.
If something does not match
SASO says to use the report feature in the app. It takes you to the Ministry of Commerce’s commercial report service. If you have already bought the item, our guide to filing a commercial complaint with the Ministry of Commerce explains the next steps.
Warning
Do not rely on a printed label alone for a big purchase. Check it in the official app and keep your invoice, which you may need for any complaint.
FAQ
Is Taakad free?
Yes. SASO says it is free to download on iOS and Android.
What if the label has no QR code?
Use the search feature in the app to find the product.
How do I know a label is fake?
SASO says to compare the label with the data shown in the app. If they differ, report it.
Last checked: 22 October 2026 (Asia/Riyadh) against SASO’s Taakad page and SASO’s energy label news page. Features can change; confirm in the app. Infosaudia is an independent guide and is not affiliated with SASO or any government agency.
