Frequently Asked Questions
Clear and concise answers to the most common questions about classification certificates, ISO standards, local content, qualification, regulatory licenses and working with major national entities.
On this page, we have collected the most frequent questions we receive from contractors, engineering offices, service providers and industrial and service companies across Saudi Arabia.
Our aim is to give you a clearer understanding of what each service involves, the main requirements and how Rowad Al-Tasneef can support you before you start any formal process.
Our aim is to give you a clearer understanding of what each service involves, the main requirements and how Rowad Al-Tasneef can support you before you start any formal process.
What is the difference between initial classification and upgrading a classification grade?
Initial classification allows your organization to enter government and private project competitions, while upgrading your grade increases the size and value of projects you can bid for.
How long does the classification or qualification process usually take?
Timelines vary depending on the type of service, the authority involved and how complete your documentation is. Our role is to structure your file and follow up closely to minimize delays as much as possible.
Do you provide end-to-end support for ISO and local content services?
Yes, we offer advisory support to select the right ISO standards and obtain local content certification, preparing your documentation and coordinating with the relevant authorities in line with local regulations.
Can you support our qualification with entities like Aramco, SABIC or NEOM?
Yes, we provide specialized services to qualify companies with Aramco, SABIC, NEOM and other national entities, including registration, vendor code and meeting requirements such as Ikhtifa and 9COM.
Q5: Can I track the status of my request?
Absolutely. We provide regular updates and progress reports throughout the process.
What is classification and is it mandatory for every organization?
Classification is an official process through which your organization obtains a formal certificate from the relevant authority confirming its technical, administrative and financial capabilities.
Not all activities require classification, but in sectors such as contracting and certain services, having a valid classification is a key requirement to participate in many government and private projects.
Not all activities require classification, but in sectors such as contracting and certain services, having a valid classification is a key requirement to participate in many government and private projects.
What is the difference between initial classification and upgrading the classification grade?
Initial classification allows your organization to enter government and private projects within a specific grade and limits.
Upgrading your classification grade means improving your standing with the authority, enabling you to bid for larger and more complex projects in terms of value, scope and size.
Upgrading your classification grade means improving your standing with the authority, enabling you to bid for larger and more complex projects in terms of value, scope and size.
How long does the classification process usually take?
Timelines depend on the type of service (new certificate, renewal, grade upgrade or data amendment), how quickly your internal documents are prepared and the response time of the authority.
Our role at Rowad Al-Tasneef is to structure your file from the start, ensure all requirements are met and follow up closely to minimize delays.
Our role at Rowad Al-Tasneef is to structure your file from the start, ensure all requirements are met and follow up closely to minimize delays.
Can Rowad Al-Tasneef guarantee approval for any classification or qualification request?
No party can guarantee approval in all cases; final decisions are always made by the relevant authorities in line with applicable regulations. What we do guarantee is a well-prepared file, full alignment with stated requirements and professional follow-up until the authority issues its decision.
Why does my organization need ISO certifications?
ISO certifications demonstrate your organization’s commitment to international standards in areas such as quality, management, safety, security and more.
Having the right ISO standards for your business increases customer and investor trust and improves your chances in government tenders and major projects where these certificates are required.
Having the right ISO standards for your business increases customer and investor trust and improves your chances in government tenders and major projects where these certificates are required.
Do you only provide ISO advisory services or do you handle full implementation?
We provide comprehensive advisory and organizational support to select the right ISO standards, structure requirements and prepare your organization for assessment.
The final audit and certification are typically conducted by an independent accredited body, while our role is to prepare your organization and documentation to reach that stage with confidence
The final audit and certification are typically conducted by an independent accredited body, while our role is to prepare your organization and documentation to reach that stage with confidence
What is a local content certificate and for which projects is it needed?
A local content certificate indicates the percentage of local products, services and workforce within your operations. It is commonly required in contracts and projects that mandate a minimum level of local content under national economic policies.
Having an approved local content certificate strengthens your position in government contracts and projects focusing on local value added.
Having an approved local content certificate strengthens your position in government contracts and projects focusing on local value added.
How can Rowad Al-Tasneef support us with local content requirements?
We help you measure your local content percentage according to approved methodologies, collect the necessary financial and operational data, prepare the required forms and reports, and coordinate with the relevant authority until the local content certificate is issued or updated.
What is the difference between classification, qualification and regulatory licenses?
Classification is an official certificate that evaluates your technical, administrative and financial capabilities and defines the level of projects you can bid for.
Qualification is an approval from a specific entity (such as a water, electricity or housing company) that lists you as an approved vendor, contractor or service provider.
Regulatory licenses are fundamental permits—such as municipal, Civil Defense or safety licenses—that legally allow you to operate in certain activities.
Qualification is an approval from a specific entity (such as a water, electricity or housing company) that lists you as an approved vendor, contractor or service provider.
Regulatory licenses are fundamental permits—such as municipal, Civil Defense or safety licenses—that legally allow you to operate in certain activities.
Can you support our qualification with entities like Aramco, SABIC, NEOM and others?
Yes, we provide specialized services to qualify companies with Aramco, SABIC, NEOM and other national entities, including online registration, vendor code issuance, completing forms and questionnaires and preparing documentation according to each entity’s requirements.
Does qualification with major entities such as Aramco or SABIC guarantee direct project awards?
Qualification means being listed as an approved vendor or contractor and gives you the right to participate in the entity’s tenders and opportunities.
Actual project awards then depend on the competitiveness of your technical and financial proposals and compliance with the conditions of each tender.
Actual project awards then depend on the competitiveness of your technical and financial proposals and compliance with the conditions of each tender.
What is our role versus Rowad Al-Tasneef’s role in these services?
Your organization’s role is to provide accurate data, legal documentation and the required financial and administrative records, and to implement any internal adjustments we recommend.
Our role at Rowad Al-Tasneef is to analyze your situation, structure your file, complete the necessary forms and gaps and coordinate with the relevant authorities to complete the process with the highest possible quality.
Our role at Rowad Al-Tasneef is to analyze your situation, structure your file, complete the necessary forms and gaps and coordinate with the relevant authorities to complete the process with the highest possible quality.
Are your service fees fixed or tailored to each organization?
Our fees depend on the type of service, the size of your organization, the complexity of your file and the number of target entities.
We typically provide a proposal after an initial review of your situation to ensure fair pricing that reflects the actual scope of work.
We typically provide a proposal after an initial review of your situation to ensure fair pricing that reflects the actual scope of work.
Can the work be divided into phases?
Yes, in many cases we divide the engagement into clear phases (such as initial assessment, file preparation, submission and follow-up, handling feedback), and we can link each phase to a defined timeline and cost to match your financial and operational planning.