GCC Certification Overview
The GCC certification refers to a series of certification systems established and implemented by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This certification aims to ensure that products sold in the GCC member states (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman) meet specific technical and quality standards, guaranteeing consumer safety and rights.
GCC certification is a mandatory certification system. Regulation BD-142004-01 came into force on July 1, 2016. As of January 1, 2017, low-voltage electronic and electrical appliances that are locally manufactured in Gulf countries or imported and certified for the domestic market must bear the G mark with a QR code and the certification authority's number.
Suitable for various types of products, including but not limited to electronics, home appliances, toys, food, and beverages. The products must undergo a series of tests, evaluations, and audits to ensure compliance withGCC standards requirements. These standards may include requirements related to product quality, safety, sustainability, and environmental protection.
What products must be certified?GCC Certification?
Technical regulations for low-voltage electrical equipment and articles cover products with alternating voltages ranging fromElectrical equipment products with DC voltage ranging from 50-1000V and between 75-1500V. All products must bear the GC mark to circulate among GSO member countries; products with the GC mark indicate compliance with GCC technical regulations. Thirteen specific product categories are classified under GCC mandatory certification (regulated products) and require GCC certification certificates issued by authorized certification bodies.
13 mandatory product categories include:
1. Household Electric Fan
Microwave Oven
3. Refrigerators/freezers and other household freezing appliances, with a capacity not exceeding 30 cubic feet
4. Additional Ovens; Electric Pots, Electric Heat Plates, Heating Rings, Barbecue Grills, and Ovens
5. Centrifugal laundry dryers/washers, including dual-purpose washing and drying machines with a load capacity not exceeding 12 kg.
6. Rapid Electric Water Heaters, Storage Water Heaters, Immersion Liquid Heaters
7. Food grinder and blender / fruit or vegetable juicer
Ironing Board
9. Home Bread Toaster
10. Plugs, sockets, adapters, power cords, extension cords, and chargers
11. Electric Hair Cutting Appliances & Hand Dryers
12. Air Conditioner
13. Residential Electric Heating Equipment - Soil Heater
GCC Certification Exemption Products:
Electrical products for use in special environments (such as flammable environments)
2. Radiopharmaceuticals
3. Parts for freight or passenger elevators
4. Electric meter
5. Power Grid Controller
6. Radio Interference Products
7. Professional products for ships, planes, and trains, compliant with international safety standards.
GCC Certification Model:
G-mark certification documents:
Application Form
2. Instructions, labels, and bilingual consistency statements in Arabic and English
3. System Certificates (e.g., ISO9001)
4. Compliance Declaration
5. Trademark Registration Certificate and Trademark Authorization Letter (if the trademark is not owned by the applicant)
6. When applying with a CB test certificate, the applicant must provide a CB test certificate and report valid within the last 3 years.
7. Safety and EMC Test Reports
8. Manufacturer and Importer Consistency Declaration
G-mark Certification Process:
1) Manufacturer provides product information (manuals, circuit diagrams, HS codes), samples, and G-mark certification application forms.
2) The institution conducts document review, assesses product safety and electromagnetic compatibility in accordance with GCC technical regulations, determines the product testing standards, and carries out testing.
3) For submissions with CB certificates and reports, assess discrepancies and complete supplementary tests.
4) The institution completes the testing, drafts and reviews the report, and registers the product in the GSO database, with the certification system assigning the product registration number.
5) Issuance of G-mark certificate by the institution, granting the client the right to use the G-mark logo on the product. Note:
a) Applications for CB Certificate reports and EMC Certificate reports within a 3-year validity can be submitted. The institution will review if the reports contain national deviations and if they meet the requirements. This EMC Certificate report must be issued by a GSO-accredited body.
b) The product manual must be bilingual in English and Arabic.
c) After obtaining the G-mark, clearance documents for each of these 7 countries must be applied for for product export.
d) Products outside of the aforementioned 13 specific electrical categories will be provided with test report applications and customs clearance documents for the corresponding countries, following the previous process. Such products currently do not require nor are they allowed to display the G-mark symbol.
GCC Conformity Mark requirements:
1) The product meets GCC regulatory requirements.
2) Products marked with identification meet GCC regulatory requirements.
3) The product must meet not only safety, public health, and consumer protection requirements but also comply with GSO regulations.
4) The legal entity or company is responsible for products bearing the GCC Conformity Marking label, and commits to the product's compliance with all applicable GSO regulations, as well as passing the conformity assessment procedure.
5) To avoid multiple applicable GCC technical regulations, the GCC Conformity Mark indicates that the product complies with all applicable regulations. These regulations must be clearly displayed on the product label and markings.
6) All regulated products must bear the GCC Conformity Marking label prior to entering the GCC market, except for those exempted due to specific economic reasons or administrative measures. Exempted products are only applicable to those that are harmless to health, safety, and related operability. Such exempted products must be notified to all GCC member states by the GSO.
7) The GCC Conformity Marking should not be too large or too small and must be relevant to the technical regulations.
8) If applicable regulations specify the dimensions of the GCC Conformity Marking, it is required that the marking's height be greater than 5mm.
9) The GCC Conformity Marking should be affixed in a suitable location on the product, such as on the product label, printed on the packaging, or as required by regulations, printed on sealed documents.
10) GCC Conformity Marking must be clear, legible, and resistant to wear.
11) GCC Conformity Marking is applied to the finished product at the stage of completion.
12) The GCC Conformity Marking must include the identification code of the notified body
13) No deceptive markings similar to or identical to the GCC Conformity Marking are permitted.
14) The GCC Conformity Marking can be displayed alongside other national or international markings, as long as these markings do not conflict with the GCC Co-Informity Marking causes confusion and does not impose any restrictions or damage to GCCCo.Readability of the Informity Marking.
15) The GCC Conformity Marking can be produced and affixed by the manufacturer, an authorized agent, or the GCC market responsibility person for the product.
16) Manufacturer or manufacturer's agency in GCC member countries must issue a statement indicating: The company has met the requirements of the relevant regulations for formal inspection and quality control system before producing and affixing the GCCCoInformity Marking
17) Certify that the product complies with the basic requirements and conditions of GCC technical regulations. Or state that the product is consistent with the samples tested by the notified body.
18) GCC regulations do not specify otherwise; all declaration documents must be retained for at least 10 years.
19) Statements and labels must include the following at a minimum:
A. Manufacturer's Name or GCC Country's Agency Name
B. Product Identification Features, such as: product name, model, model code, and serial number, etc.
C. Standards, regulations, and technical guidelines for product design and manufacturing.
D. Product Grade or Category (Electrical Appliances)
E. Person Responsible for the Product and Their Signature (Manufacturer or Legally Authorized Agent of GCC Member States)
F. Declaration Document - This document states the manufacturer's or authorized agent's responsibility
G. The identity statement of the signatory from the manufacturer or agency may include additional information, such as: the name and address of the inspection and testing institution, the names and addresses of personnel responsible for the product.
21) To prevent a product from being subject to multiple applicable GCC technical regulations, manufacturers may issue a declaration including all GCC technical regulations the product meets.
22) Declaration documents can be provided to GCC member countries' market research and control agencies at any time.
