The GCC stands for the Gulf Cooperation Council (Gulf Cooperation Council). The Gulf Cooperation Council was established on May 25, 1981, in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Its member countries currently includeSaudi 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.
What is 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 this regulation, low-voltage electrical equipment must meet the safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements of the technical regulations and affix the GC mark to be sold in the member countries of the Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO). Some regulated products must be certified by third-party certification bodies authorized by the GSO and registered with the GSO before they can affix the GC mark.
On November 14, 2016, the Gulf Arab Cooperation Council Standardization Organization (hereinafter referred to as GSO) officially released the usage rules for the GSO Conformity Tracking Symbol (GCTS).
The GSO Conformity Tracking Symbol refers to a tracking symbol generated by the system after registration in the GSO certificate tracking 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 on 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 the products;
3) The symbol affixed on the certificate must have a minimum size of 4 cm in length and 2.2 cm in height, implemented by the issuing body;
4) The symbol must be affixed to the product or its label (nameplate);
5) If the product’s inherent properties (such as being too small or unsuitable surface material) prevent the symbol from being affixed to the product, it must be affixed to the product’s smallest outer packaging and accompanying documents (such as the user manual) with a QR code;
6) The conformity mark, QR code, agency code, and registration serial number are considered a whole and must be scaled proportionally;
7) The main color of the symbol 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 should be clear and readable, and not easily removable;
11) The symbol must comply with regulatory requirements and must not be falsified.
Catalog of Products with GC Mark Certification
| 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 Combo, with a Washing Capacity Not Exceeding 12 Kilograms |
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 Grinder and Mixer/Fruit or Vegetable Juicer | 85094000 |
IEC60335-1, IEC 60335-2-14, IEC62233, IEC61000-3-2 IEC61000-3-3, CISPR 14-1, CISPR 14-2 |
| 5 | Household Toaster | 85167200 |
IEC 60335-1, IEC 60335-2-9, IEC62233, IEC61000-3-2 IEC61000-3-3, CISPR 14-1, CISPR 14-2 |
| 6 | Electric Hair Clippers 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 Heater | 85162910 |
IEC 60335-1, IEC60335-2-30 (Indoor), IEC62233 IEC61000-3-2, IEC61000-3-3, CISPR 14-1, CISPR 14-2 |
| 8 | Microwave Oven | 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 Iron | 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 GCC-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 (specific testing costs vary by product)
Common Questions about GC
1. In which countries can the GC mark certification certificate/conformity certificate 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: 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 are obtained for different types of applicants 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 can be changed 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 product’s size or material is not suitable for affixing a label, 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 product’s size or material is not suitable for affixing a label, the corresponding information should be placed on the product packaging or accompanying documents.
④ Importers should ensure that the product comes with instructions and safety information written in Arabic.
⑤ Importers should keep 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 after approval by the competent authorities of the Gulf member states.
⑦ The market supervision authorities 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.
Source: e Inspection
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