Mostadam is Saudi Arabia’s national green building standard. The Saudi Green Building Forum (SGBF) runs it. It supports Vision 2030. At Gold, Platinum, and Net Zero levels, projects need Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for key materials. Giga-projects like NEOM make EPDs mandatory in tender documents.
A concrete supplier in Riyadh was shortlisted for a government project in 2024. The tender asked for Mostadam-compliant materials with verified EPDs. The supplier had none. They lost the contract to a competitor who did.
That gap costs Saudi manufacturers real contracts every year.
This guide is for developers, contractors, and material suppliers in Saudi Arabia. It tells you what Mostadam is, which EPDs you need, and how to get ready before your next tender.
EnviroLink helps manufacturers and project teams across the GCC with EPD studies and Mostadam documentation.
What Is Mostadam?
Mostadam is Saudi Arabia’s official green building rating system. The Saudi Green Building Forum created it. It rates buildings on energy, water, materials, indoor air quality, and site impact. It supports Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative. It is mandatory for government buildings above certain size thresholds.
“Mostadam” (مستدام) means “sustainable” in Arabic. The SGBF built this system for Saudi Arabia. It fits the local climate, building codes, and energy goals. It is not copied from a foreign standard.
Mostadam covers homes, offices, hotels, and public buildings. Government buildings above 5,000 square meters usually need it. Always check the latest rules with the SGBF — they update regularly.
How Is Mostadam Different from LEED?
LEED comes from the US Green Building Council. It is used worldwide. Mostadam is built for Saudi Arabia. It uses Saudi codes and fits the Gulf climate.
LEED uses a points model. Mostadam uses a star rating. Both accept EPDs that follow ISO 14025 and EN 15804. Both are used on Saudi projects. But Mostadam is the national standard.
Mostadam Rating Levels — What Each Level Requires
Mostadam has five levels. EPD needs grow with each star. At Net Zero, product-specific EPDs are required for all major materials.
| Rating Level | Stars | Typical Project | EPD Need | What Is Expected |
| Certified | ★ | Small government or commercial | Low | Meet basic thresholds |
| Silver | ★★ | Mid-size residential and commercial | Low–Moderate | Better energy and water use |
| Gold | ★★★ | Large commercial, institutional | Moderate–High | EPDs expected for major materials |
| Platinum | ★★★★ | Large government, mixed-use | High | EPDs required for key materials |
| Net Zero | ★★★★★ | Giga-projects, major infrastructure | Very High | Product-specific EPDs mandatory |
Rating rules change. Always check current requirements with the Saudi Green Building Forum before you submit any documents.
Does Mostadam Require EPDs?
Not at every level. At Certified and Silver, you usually do not need them. At Gold, EPDs for concrete, steel, and cladding help your file and reduce delays. At Platinum and Net Zero, they are expected. Skip them and expect problems.
The SGBF is aligning Mostadam with global carbon rules. EPDs are moving from “nice to have” to “required” — faster than most suppliers expect.
Read our full guide on Environmental Product Declarations for GCC projects.
Which Materials Need EPDs for Mostadam Projects?
| Material | EPD Demand | EPD Type | Notes |
| Ready-mix concrete | High | Product-specific | Main carbon driver |
| Structural steel | High | Product-specific | Required at Gold and above |
| Aluminum cladding and facades | High | Product-specific | NEOM tenders require it |
| Glass and glazing | Moderate–High | Product-specific | Common on commercial towers |
| Cement and binders | Moderate | Both types accepted | Demand growing at Gold and Platinum |
| Insulation | Moderate | Industry-wide accepted | More scrutiny at higher levels |
| Tiles and flooring | Low–Moderate | Industry-wide accepted | Check your tender documents |
See also: EPD vs HPD — what is the difference and when do you need each.
Mostadam vs LEED — What Is the Difference?
Both systems measure building sustainability. Both are used in Saudi Arabia. But they work differently.
| Feature | Mostadam | LEED |
| Managed by | Saudi Green Building Forum | US Green Building Council |
| Origin | Saudi Arabia | United States |
| Rating scale | Stars — Certified to Net Zero | Points — Certified to Platinum |
| Geographic focus | Saudi Arabia | Global |
| Government mandate | Mandatory for large KSA government buildings | Voluntary in most markets |
| EPD credits | Materials credits — evolving | Up to 2 points for EPDs |
| Climate focus | Built for extreme heat | Adaptable — not Saudi-specific |
| Vision 2030 alignment | Direct — built into the system | Indirect |
Read our guide on EPD for LEED v4.1 if your project needs both Mostadam and LEED compliance.
Can One EPD Work for Both Mostadam and LEED?
Yes. An EPD that follows ISO 14025 and EN 15804 works for both. EPD International and IBU are accepted by both systems. One product-specific EPD covers Mostadam and LEED v4.1. This saves you time and money.
NEOM and Giga-Project EPD Requirements
NEOM and Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects have stricter rules than standard Mostadam. Product-specific EPDs are mandatory for structural and facade materials.
EPDs for NEOM must usually be under three years old at tender. Standard Mostadam allows up to five years. This matters if you target The Line, Sindalah, Oxagon, Diriyah Gate, or Qiddiya.
| Requirement | Standard Mostadam | NEOM and Giga-Projects |
| EPD type | Industry-wide accepted at lower levels | Product-specific — mandatory |
| EPD age | 5-year validity | Often under 3 years |
| Materials covered | Key structural materials | Structural, facade, and MEP |
| Embodied carbon | Emerging requirement | Required on most packages |
| Program operator | EPD International and IBU accepted | EPD International preferred |
An aluminum cladding manufacturer in Jeddah supplied facade systems for a Diriyah Gate project. The project needed product-specific EPDs verified through EPD International. EnviroLink delivered three EPDs in 14 weeks. All three cleared the sustainability review on first submission.
Read our guide on embodied carbon GCC to learn more.
How to Get EPDs Ready for Mostadam — Step by Step
The full EPD process takes 12 to 20 weeks. Start before you bid — not after you win.
Step 1: Confirm your Mostadam target level. Find out if the project targets Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Net Zero. This tells you what EPDs you need.
Step 2: List your key materials. Start with concrete, steel, aluminum, and glass. These are the most common materials that need EPDs on Saudi projects.
Step 3: Choose your EPD program operator. EPD International is accepted across Mostadam, LEED, and GSAS. Confirm with your consultant first. Read our guide on EPD program operators.
Step 4: Run a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). A certified LCA consultant reviews your product’s environmental impact. Clean factory data speeds things up. Most Saudi manufacturers finish data collection in four to six weeks. Learn more about Life Cycle Assessment.
Step 5: Get third-party verification. An accredited verifier checks your LCA and EPD report. This step is required. No verification means no accepted EPD.
Step 6: Register and publish. Submit the verified EPD to your program operator. It gets a public registration number. That number is what project reviewers check.
Step 7: Submit to your project team. Share EPD files and registration numbers with your Mostadam consultant. Include the product name, manufacturer, EPD number, program operator, issue date, and expiry date.
Mostadam Certification Cost and Timeline
Mostadam Certification Fees
The SGBF sets Mostadam fees. They vary by project type, size, and rating level. Get the current fee schedule from the Saudi Green Building Forum or your consultant. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Mostadam fees cover the building assessment process. EPD costs are separate. The official Mostadam platform provides project assessment services and publishes fee information for sustainability assessments. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
EPD Cost for Mostadam Compliance
| EPD Scope | Cost Range (USD) | Timeline |
| Industry-wide EPD | $2,000–$6,000 | 8–14 weeks |
| Product-specific EPD | $5,000–$16,000 | 12–20 weeks |
| Batch of 3 products (same category) | $8,000–$18,000 | 12–16 weeks |
| LCA study only (no EPD) | $2,000–$8,000 | 6–12 weeks |
Batching saves money. A steel manufacturer with three rebar products can often finish all three EPDs for less than double the cost of one. Run data collection together and lower the cost per product.
Total EPD Timeline
- Data collection: 4–6 weeks
- LCA study: 6–10 weeks
- Third-party verification: 2–4 weeks
- Program operator registration: 1–2 weeks
- Total: 12–20 weeks
Start at least six months before your tender deadline.
Common EPD Mistakes Saudi Manufacturers Make
- Starting after winning the tender. EPDs take 12–20 weeks. Start before you bid.
- Using the wrong EPD type. Read the project spec first. Industry-wide EPDs are rejected when product-specific ones are required.
- Wrong program operator. Check acceptance with your consultant before you register.
- Expired EPD. Some projects need EPDs under three years old. Check dates before every tender.
- Mismatched product scope. Your EPD must match the exact product you supply. A generic EPD may not pass.
- No LCA data ready. Starting from scratch adds four to six weeks. Organize your factory data now.
What Is Mostadam Certification?
Mostadam is Saudi Arabia’s green building standard. It rates buildings on energy, water, materials, and environmental impact. It uses stars — from one star (Certified) to five stars (Net Zero). The Saudi Green Building Forum runs it. Large government buildings must get it. At higher levels, projects need EPDs. EPDs are short documents that show the environmental impact of a building material. At Gold level and above, EPDs are expected. On NEOM and giga-projects, they are mandatory.
Get Your EPDs Ready for Mostadam — Work With EnviroLink
Mostadam is Saudi Arabia’s national green building framework. EPDs are now central to compliance — not just at the top levels, but across the project pipeline.
Get ready before you tender. Not after.
EnviroLink delivers EPD studies, LCA reports, and Mostadam documentation support for manufacturers and project teams across Saudi Arabia and the GCC. Our EPDs are accepted by Mostadam, LEED, Estidama, and GSAS in all six GCC countries.
Contact EnviroLink today for Mostadam EPD support. Our team responds within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions — Mostadam Certification Saudi Arabia
What is Mostadam certification?
Mostadam is Saudi Arabia’s green building rating system. It uses stars — from 1 (Certified) to 5 (Net Zero). It covers energy, water, and materials. The Saudi Green Building Forum runs it. Large government buildings must use it.
Is Mostadam mandatory in Saudi Arabia?
Yes — for government buildings above set size limits. Private projects are not always required to certify. But many do to meet tender specs. Check the SGBF for the latest rules.
Does Mostadam require EPDs?
It depends on the level. At Certified and Silver, you usually don’t need them. At Gold, they are expected. At Platinum, Net Zero, and NEOM projects, product-specific EPDs are mandatory.
How does Mostadam compare to LEED?
Mostadam is Saudi Arabia’s national standard. LEED is a US system used globally. Mostadam uses stars. LEED uses points. Both are used on Saudi projects. But Mostadam is the required national framework.
Can one EPD be used for both Mostadam and LEED?
Yes. An EPD from EPD International or IBU works for both. It must follow ISO 14025 and EN 15804. One EPD covers both systems and saves you time and money.
What materials need EPDs for Mostadam projects?
Concrete, steel, and aluminum cladding need them most. Glass and glazing are also common. At Gold and above, start with structural and facade materials. Always check the tender spec — needs vary by project.
How long does it take to get EPDs for Mostadam?
Plan for 12 to 20 weeks. Start at least six months before your tender deadline. Having clean factory data and batching products in one study can help you finish faster.
