GCC stands for the Gulf Cooperation Council, which was established on May 25, 1981, in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Its member countries include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the Republic of Yemen— a total of 7 countries.The GC mark certification is a market access certificate for products entering the markets of the Gulf Cooperation Council member countries.
The GCC certification is based on unified standards and technical regulations established by the Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO). These regulations and standards align with international standards in areas such as electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility, and restrictions on hazardous substances, while also incorporating specific provisions tailored to the actual conditions and needs of the Gulf region. For example, in terms of electrical safety, there are strict requirements for grounding and insulation performance of electrical products to prevent electric shock accidents; regarding electromagnetic compatibility, there are limits on the electromagnetic interference generated by products to ensure they can operate normally in their environment without interfering with other devices.
Scope of GCC Certification Products
The mandatory directory covers 14 major categories of common goods, such as: Household appliances: air conditioners, refrigerators, microwave ovens, electric fans
Power equipment: plugs and sockets, chargers, extension cords Kitchen appliances: induction cookers, juicers, toasters
Other products: toys (all toys require mandatory certification!)⚠️ Note: You can check whether a product is on the mandatory list through the HS customs code.
GCC Certification Documentation
1. Application form;
2. Instructions, nameplates, and bilingual consistency declarations in Arabic and English;
3. Factory quality management documents (manufacturer’s ISO9001 and business license);
4. Declaration of conformity, risk assessment report;
5. Trademark registration certificate and trademark authorization letter (if the trademark is not owned by the applicant);
6. If the applicant holds a CB test certificate, they must provide a valid CB test certificate and report within the last 3 years;
7. Safety (S) test report and EMC test report;
8. Consistency declaration from the manufacturer and importer;
9. Photos of the product and nameplate;
10. Electronic and mechanical schematics.
What is the GC Mark Certification?
Since July 1, 2016, the technical regulations for low-voltage electrical equipment and supplies in the Gulf countries have officially come into effect, mandating GCC certification requirements for certain products. After the implementation of these regulations, low-voltage electrical equipment must meet the safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements of these technical regulations and affix the GC mark to be sold in GSO member countries. Some regulated products must be certified by third-party certification bodies authorized by GSO and registered with GSO before they can affix the GC mark.
On November 14, 2016, the Gulf Arab Cooperation Council Standardization Organization (GSO) officially released the usage rules for the GSO Conformity Tracking Symbol (GCTS).
The GSO Conformity Tracking Symbol refers to a traceability symbol generated by the system after registration in the GSO certificate traceability system. It consists of the GC mark and a traceable QR code, with a 4-digit certification body number and registration serial number below the mark.
Principles for Using the GSO Conformity Tracking Symbol:
1) From January 1, 2017, manufacturers, or their authorized representatives or importers must affix the symbol to the product;
2) The designated certification body must affix the GSO Conformity Tracking Symbol on the certificates it issues and is responsible for urging certified enterprises to affix the symbol on their products;
3) The symbol affixed to the certificate must be at least 4 cm long and 2.2 cm high, implemented by the issuing body;
4) The symbol must be affixed to the product or its label (nameplate);
5) If the symbol cannot be affixed to the product due to its inherent properties (e.g., the product is too small, or the surface material is unsuitable), the symbol with the QR code must be affixed to the product’s minimum outer packaging and accompanying documents (e.g., user manual);
6) The conformity symbol, QR code, agency code, and registration serial number are considered a whole and must be scaled proportionally;
7) The color of the symbol body can only be white or black;
8) The symbol can also be printed on a uniform color background or a patterned background;
9) The conformity tracking symbol must not be combined with the logo of the issuing body;
10) The symbol must be clear and readable, and not easily removable;
11) The symbol must comply with regulatory requirements and must not be falsified.
GC Mark Certification Product Directory
| Serial Number | Product Name | Customs Code | Testing Standards |
| 1 | Household Electric Fan | 84145100 |
IEC60335-1, IEC60335-2-80, IEC62233, IEC 61000-3-2, IEC 61000-3-3, CISPR 14-1, CISPR 14-2 |
| 2 | Refrigerators/Freezers and Other Household Refrigeration Equipment, with a volume not exceeding 30 cubic feet |
84181000, 84182100, 84182900, 84183000, 84184000 |
IEC 60335-1, IEC 60335-2-24, IEC62233, IEC 61000-3-2, IEC 61000-3-3, CISPR 14-1, CISPR 14-2 |
| 3 | Centrifugal Clothes Dryer/Washing Machine, including washer-dryer combos, with a washing capacity not exceeding 12 kg |
84211200, 84501100, 84501200, 84501900 |
IEC 60335-1, IEC 60335-2-7, IEC60335-2-11, IEC60335-2-4, IEC62233, IEC 61000-3-2, IEC 61000-3-3, CISPR 14-1, CISPR 14-2 |
| 4 | Food Grinders and Mixers/Fruit or Vegetable Juicers | 85094000 |
IEC60335-1, IEC 60335-2-14, IEC62233, IEC61000-3-2 IEC61000-3-3, CISPR 14-1, CISPR 14-2 |
| 5 | Household Toasters | 85167200 |
IEC 60335-1, IEC 60335-2-9, IEC62233, IEC61000-3-2 IEC61000-3-3, CISPR 14-1, CISPR 14-2 |
| 6 | Electric Hairdressing Tools and Hand Dryers |
85163100, 85163200, 85163300 |
IEC 60335-1, IEC60335-2-23, IEC62233, IEC61000-3-2 IEC61000-3-3, CISPR 14-1, CISPR 14-2 |
| 7 | Household Electric Heating Equipment – Soil Heaters | 85162910 |
IEC 60335-1, IEC60335-2-30 (indoor use), IEC62233 IEC61000-3-2, IEC61000-3-3, CISPR 14-1, CISPR 14-2 |
| 8 | Microwave Ovens | 85165000 |
IEC 60335-1, IEC 60335-2-25, IEC62233, IEC 61000-3-2 IEC 61000-3-3, CISPR 11, CISPR 14-2 |
| 9 | Other Stoves; Electric Pots, Hot Plates, Heating Rings, Barbecue Grills, and Ovens | 85166000 |
IEC 60335-1, IEC 60335-2-9 (portable), IEC 60335-2-6 (stationary), IEC62233, IEC61000-3-2 IEC61000-3-3, CISPR 14-1, CISPR 14-2 |
| 10 | Electric Instant Water Heaters, Storage Water Heaters, Immersion Liquid Heaters | 85161000 |
IEC 60335-1, IEC 60335-2-35 (instantaneous) IEC 60335-2-21 (storage), IEC62233, IEC61000-3-2 IEC61000-3-3, CISPR 14-1, CISPR 14-2 |
| 11 | Electric Irons | 85164000 |
IEC60335-1, IEC 60335-2-3, IEC62233, IEC 61000-3-2 IEC 61000-3-3, CISPR14-1, CISPR 14-2 |
| 12 | Plugs, Sockets, Adapters, Power Cords and Extension Cords, Chargers |
85444220, 85366910 |
IEC 60884-1, IEC60884-2-5, IEC60950-1, CISPR22 |
| 13 | Air Conditioners | 84151000 |
IEC 60335-1, IEC 60335-2-40, IEC62233, IEC61000-3-2 IEC61000-3-3, CISPR14-1, CISPR 14-2 |
| 14 | Toy Products |
95030010, 95030021, 95030029, 95030031, 95030039, 95030040, 95030050, 95030060, 95030081, 95030082, 95030089, 95030090, 95049010, 95049030, 95049040 |
EN71-1:2011+A2:2013, ,EN71-2:2011, ,EN71-3:2013,EN71-5:2013,EN 71-9:2005+A1:2007 EN71-10:2005 ,EN71-11:2005 ,EN71-12:2013 EN62115:2005+A11:2012 |
GCC Certification Process
1) The enterprise submits a GCC certification application;
2) The enterprise tests the product in a GSO-recognized laboratory according to the relevant Gulf standards and requirements;
3) The enterprise submits all documents and materials required for GCC certification, including test reports and certificates;
4) The GSO reviews the documents submitted by the enterprise, and if the review is passed, the GSO will issue a GCC certificate to the enterprise; if the review fails, the GSO will notify the enterprise that the application was not approved and provide feedback.
Certification Fees
1. Application fee;
2. Certificate fee;
3. Registration fee;
4. Testing fee: based on the actual testing costs incurred (specific testing costs vary by product)
Common Questions about GC
1. In which countries can the GC mark certification certificate/conformity certificate and test report be used?
The GC mark certification certificate/conformity certificate is applicable in the member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes 7 countries: the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
2. Does the GC mark certification/conformity certification include factory inspections?
No. The GC mark certification certificate is only for sample testing; the GC mark conformity certificate is for individual product testing or batch sampling testing.
3. What certificates do different types of applicants receive when applying for GC mark certification?
The applicant must be an independent entity that can bear legal responsibility, which can be a manufacturer or importer. When the applicant is a manufacturer, they apply for the GC mark certification certificate. When the applicant is an importer and cannot prove that the manufacturer has implemented appropriate conformity assessment procedures or cannot provide technical documentation that meets Gulf standards, the importer applies for the GC mark conformity certificate.
4. What is the difference between the GC mark certification certificate and the GC mark conformity certificate?
The GC mark certification certificate has a validity period of 5 years, can be renewed, and changes can be applied for during its validity period; the review content includes both product conformity and production consistency. The GC mark conformity certificate is only valid for batch-tested products and focuses solely on product conformity.
5. What should importers pay attention to after obtaining the GC mark conformity certificate?
① After obtaining the certificate, importers must affix the GC mark and the corresponding GC mark conformity certificate number on each product.
② Importers should indicate their name, registered trade name, registered trade mark, and contact address on the product. If the size or material of the product is not suitable for affixing labels, the corresponding information should be placed on the product packaging or accompanying documents.
③ Importers should ensure that the products supplied by the manufacturer have labels with product model, packaging, serial number, model number, or other elements, as well as the manufacturer’s name, registered trade name, or registered trade mark and contact address. If the size or material of the product is not suitable for affixing labels, the corresponding information should be placed on the product packaging or accompanying documents.
④ Importers should ensure that the product comes with user manuals and safety information written in Arabic.
⑤ Importers should retain all technical documents for at least ten years after obtaining the GC mark conformity certificate.
⑥ Technical documents must be written in Arabic. If this is not feasible, an English version may be submitted with the approval of the competent authorities of the Gulf member states.
⑦ The market supervision agencies of the GCC member states have the right to require importers to submit technical documents or translated versions of some technical documents. The submission deadline is generally thirty days, but may be shorter in urgent cases.
Yiren Inspection provides one-stop GCC certification and Saudi Saber certification services, offering attentive services from material review to PC and SC certificate issuance, considering the perspective of enterprises, with the principle of “reducing costs and speeding up certification” to help enterprises quickly and safely enter the Gulf market.
Moreover, Yiren Inspection, as an authoritative and professional global quality management service leader, provides conformity inspection services, consulting, and document review services, involving the review and consulting of application documents, testing standards, invoices, packing list-related documents.
Yiren Inspection quickly handles customs clearance certification, providing product name + HS code, offering you professional answers and quick processing.
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