The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), consisting of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Yemen (for certain products), implements mandatory GCC certification (GCC Conformity Marking) for certain products to ensure compliance with technical regulations and safety standards in the Gulf region.
Applicable Product Scope
GCC certification primarily regulates the following high-risk products (updated to 2024):
Low Voltage Electrical Equipment (LVD, such as household appliances, lighting, switches)
Toys (according to GSO safety standards)
Automotive Parts (tires, batteries, safety glass, etc.)
Construction Products (steel, cables, bathroom equipment)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE, such as safety shoes, goggles)
Energy Efficiency Products (air conditioners, refrigerators, motors, etc., require additional energy efficiency labeling)
Exceptions: Medical devices, food, and pharmaceuticals require separate registration (e.g., Saudi SFDA, UAE MOHAP).
2. GCC Certification Authorities
GSO (Gulf Standardization Organization): Establishes unified technical regulations (GSO standards).
National Regulatory Authorities:
Saudi Arabia: SASO (Saudi Standards Organization)
UAE: ESMA (Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology)
Kuwait: KOWSMD
Other member countries: All must be certified by GSO-recognized bodies.
GCC Certification Process
Confirm Applicable Standards for Products
Electrical Products: GSO IEC 60335 (household appliances), GSO IEC 60598 (lighting)
Toys: GSO 2239 (equivalent to EN 71)
Energy Efficiency Products: Must comply with SASO 2663 (air conditioners), SASO 2870 (refrigerators), etc.
Product Testing
Laboratory Requirements: Must be tested in GSO-recognized laboratories
Testing Report Validity: Typically 1-2 years (some high-risk products require annual updates).
Apply for GCC Certificate
Document Submission:
Testing report (must be in Arabic or English)
Factory ISO 9001 certificate (mandatory for some products)
Product technical documents (circuit diagrams, manuals, label designs)
Review Time: Approximately 2-4 weeks (longer for complex products).
Obtain GCC Conformity Marking
Labeling Requirements: Products must permanently display the GCC mark (as shown: ⚪️+GCC text).
Registration Validity: 1-3 years (annual maintenance required).
Key Testing Items (by Product Category)
Electronic and Electrical Products
Safety Testing: Insulation resistance, dielectric strength, temperature rise test (according to GSO IEC 60335)
EMC Testing: Radiated emissions (CISPR 14), immunity (IEC 61000)
Energy Efficiency Testing (if applicable): EER (air conditioners), MEPS (motors)
Toys
Physical Testing: Small parts, sharp edges (GSO 2239/EN 71-1).
Chemical Testing: Lead, cadmium, phthalates (GSO 2239/EN 71-3).
Automotive Parts
Tires: GSO 159 (abrasion resistance, high-speed performance).
Batteries: GSO 34 (UN38.3 certification).
Construction Materials and PPE
Cables: Fire resistance testing (IEC 60332).
Safety Shoes: Impact resistance (EN ISO 20345).
Costs and Time
Testing Fees: Varies by product complexity
Certification Fees: (including registration and annual fees).
Total Cycle: 4-8 weeks (can be shortened to 2 weeks for urgent cases).
Common Questions and Solutions
Relationship between GCC and national certifications (e.g., SASO, ESMA)
GCC is a general certification for the Gulf, but some countries (e.g., Saudi Arabia) still require additional registration (e.g., SABER).
Exceptions: Some products in the UAE require ESMA certification (e.g., LED bulbs).
Factory Inspection Requirements
High-risk products (e.g., medical devices) may require factory inspection, while low-risk products may be exempt.
Labeling and Manuals
Mandatory Requirements: Arabic label + English, must include GCC mark and importer information.
New Regulations and Trends for 2024
Expanded control scope: New solar products, electric vehicle charging stations.
Digital processes: Saudi SABER system mandates integration with GCC certificates.
Carbon footprint requirements: Some construction materials must provide environmental compliance certificates.
Compliance Recommendations
Plan ahead: Testing + certification takes 1-2 months, avoid delays in shipping.
Select GSO-recognized bodies: such as TÜV, SGS, Intertek.
Stay updated: GSO official website (www.gso.org.sa) regularly updates standards.
GCC certification is a core compliance threshold for entering the seven Gulf countries, involving key steps such as product testing, registration, and labeling.
Companies need to choose corresponding solutions based on product categories and closely monitor the details of each country (e.g., Saudi SABER).
It is recommended to collaborate with professional certification bodies to ensure efficient customs clearance and reduce market risks.
About Us
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