GCC is the abbreviation 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 include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the Republic of Yemen, totaling seven countries. The General Secretariat is located in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The highest authority is the Supreme Council, composed of the heads of state of the member countries, with the presidency rotating among them annually. The seven countries share similar political and economic systems, have close royal ties, and have common interests in politics, economics, diplomacy, and national defense, making it an important political and economic organization in the Middle East.
The total area of the GCC member countries is 2.67 million square kilometers, with a population of about 34 million. In 2003, the total GDP was approximately $380 billion, with oil and gas as the main resources, making it a significant regional organization in the Middle East. The seven countries are located at a strategic crossroads between the east and west hemispheres, sharing important geographical positions. They border Iraq and Jordan to the north, the Arabian Sea to the south, the Arabian Gulf to the east, and the Red Sea to the west. The majority of the land is desert, characterized by a tropical desert climate.
Foreign trade plays a crucial role in the national economies of the GCC countries. Due to their single economic structure, they rely heavily on imports for most daily and production needs, aside from oil and petrochemical products. The total annual import and export trade volume is about $240 billion, with major export partners including the United States, Japan, the EU, South Korea, and Southeast Asian countries, while major import partners include the EU, the United States, Japan, and Southeast Asian countries.
Scope of G Mark Electrical Product Certification
Since June 1, 2015, Gulf technical specifications for low-voltage electrical equipment and products have been trial implemented, with full mandatory enforcement starting July 1, 2016. The electrical standards and specifications document for G Mark is the “Gulf States Technical Specification – Low Voltage Electrical Equipment and Appliances” published by GSO, with document number BD-142004-01. Article 8 of Chapter One, “Electrical Equipment,” specifies the range of electrical products that require G Mark certification:
Category One (Product List 1): All electronic and electrical equipment, and devices containing electronic or electrical components, operating at voltages of AC 50~1000V and DC 75-1500V, except for the 13 specific electrical products listed in Category Two.
Category Two (Product List 2): The 13 specific electrical products listed in TC143307-01. See the table below:
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1 |
Household Electric Fan |
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2 |
Refrigerators, Freezers, and Other Refrigeration or Freezing Equipment |
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3 |
Centrifugal Dryers and Washing Machines, including machines with washing and drying functions |
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4 |
Food Grinders and Blenders, Fruit or Vegetable Juicers |
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5 |
Toasters |
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6 |
Electric Hair Dryers and Hand Dryers |
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7 |
Household Electric Heating Devices |
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8 |
Microwave Ovens |
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9 |
Other Stoves, including Cooking Appliances, Electric Cookers, Heating Rings, Grills, and Baking Tools |
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10 |
Instant Electric Water Heaters or Storage Electric Water Heaters and Immersion Heaters |
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11 |
Electric Irons |
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12 |
Plugs, Sockets, Adapters, Extension Cord Assemblies, and Chargers |
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13 |
Air Conditioners |
Note: The specific product list for Category One has not yet been published; currently, the products undergoing GCC certification are the 13 specific electrical products in Category Two.
Exempt Products
1) Electrical products used in special environments (e.g., in flammable environments)
2) Products used for radiation and medical purposes
3) Components for freight or passenger elevators
4) Electric meters
5) Grid controllers
6) Radio interference products
7) Professional products for ships, airplanes, and trains that meet international safety standards
Types of Certification and Application Documents
(1) Types of Certification
Product List 1: Products are tested, and manufacturers sign a self-declaration of conformity (DOC)
Product List 2: Products are tested, and must obtain a GCC type certification certificate issued by an accredited body designated by GSO
(2) Application Documents
1) Application form and declaration
2) Business license
3) Latest IEC/EN/GSO standard safety report (including national differences*)
4) IEC/EN/CISPR/GSO standard EMC report
5) Arabic instruction manual (must include manufacturer & importer information) & nameplate (must include manufacturer information and warning labels)
6) Other technical documents (circuit diagrams, PCB layouts, component lists, etc.)
7) Risk assessment report
8) ISO9001 system certificate of the factory or manufacturer
Certification Process
1) Submit test samples & certification application form
2) Assess the safety and electromagnetic compatibility of the product according to GCC technical regulations
3) Conduct document review
4) Issue GCC certificates
5) Affix the G Mark label on the product
Issuance Cycle & Certificate Validity
(1) Issuance Cycle: Approximately 2 weeks (excluding testing time)
(2) Certificate Validity: 3 years
GCC Conformity Marking (G Mark)
In May 2009, the GSO Council held its tenth meeting and reached a consensus on the GCC Conformity Marking. It requires that all regulated products must bear the GCC Conformity Marking (see below). Products with the GCC Conformity Marking can circulate and trade more quickly and conveniently in GCC member countries. All products bearing this marking must not only meet basic health, safety, and environmental requirements but also comply with applicable GSO standards and regulations.
(1) Clear and visible, cannot be easily removed
(2) Displayed on the product or its packaging
(3) Minimum size: 5mm
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can the GCC certificate display series model?
A1: Yes, series models can be displayed.
Q2: If a customer wants to display the seller’s model & trademark on the GCC certificate, and this model is not reflected in the application report, is it possible?
A2: After the customer provides a model consistency declaration document, the seller’s model can be displayed on the GCC certificate. However, trademark information will not be reflected on the GCC certificate.
Q3: If a customer exports products listed in the 13 specific electrical products to Saudi Arabia, can they directly apply for the SASO customs clearance certificate?
A3: If the goods arrive after July 1, 2016, they must first apply for the GCC certificate and affix the G Mark label before applying for the SASO customs clearance certificate.
Q4: When applying for GCC certification, do the electrical parameters in the report need to meet the requirements of all seven GCC member countries?
A4: No, the GCC certificate will reflect the export country of the product. Customers can choose local electrical parameters for product testing based on the country they intend to export to.
Q5: Does the report for applying for GCC certification only need to be within 3 years?
A5: Reports within 3 years can be recognized, but must include national differences.
Source: I Want to Test