Public Available Information

Gulf Conformity Mark (G-Mark) Scheme

Gulf Standards Organization (GSO) regulates the G-Mark Scheme. G-Mark is a requirement for children’s toys and low voltage electrical equipment (LVE) and appliances imported into GCC member states.

About the G-Mark Certification Scheme

The Gulf Mark (G-Mark) indicates that a product is regulated under the Gulf Technical Regulation for Children's Toys and Low Voltage Electrical (LVE) Equipment and Appliances. Specifically, the scheme ensures that products imported into GCC countries - namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Saudi Arabia - meet the essential health, safety and environmental requirements of the region.

Geo Chem is a GSO Notified Body to issue Certificates of Conformity for LVEs and Children's Toys regulated by the Gulf Technical Regulation for export to entire Gulf region.

Regulated Products

GSO regulates LVEs based on two categories. The first category called "List 1" consists of products that do not require certification by a notified body. Instead, manufacturers must self-comply during the production process.

However, LVE List 2 products are subject to conformity assessment by notified bodies like Geo Chem. Products regulated under the Gulf Technical Regulation for Children's Toys and Low Voltage Electrical (LVE) Equipment and Appliances List 2 include:

• Domestic electrical fans
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Washing machines, washers and dryers
• Food grinders, mixers and juice extractors.
• Toasters
• Hair-dressing apparatus and hand dryers
• Electric heating apparatus
• Microwave ovens
• Cookers, grillers and ovens
• Water heaters
• Electric Iron
• Plugs, sockets, extension cords, adaptors and chargers
• Air conditioners

Regulated Children's Toy Products include:

• Toys for under 36 months
• Skates, roller skates, inline skates, skateboards, scooters and toy bicycles for children
• Toys in food
• Protective masks and helmets
• Toys intended to be strung across a cradle, cot or preambular using strings, cords, elastics or straps
• Finger paints
• Trampoline

GSO LVE Assessment Requirements

GSO regulates LVEs based on two categories. The first category called "List-1" consists of products that do not require certification by a notified body. Instead, manufacturers must self-comply during the production process. However, LVE List-2 products are subject to conformity assessment by notified bodies like Geo Chem.

Certification requirements for LVE products include:

• Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) test reports from an accredited laboratory
• Manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity
• Importer’s Declaration of Conformity
• Risk assessment report detailing evidence of risk analysis conducted by either the manufacturer or a notified body like Geo Chem
• Clear LVE product photos
• Rating and warning labels in Arabic or both Arabic and English
• Instruction manual either in Arabic or both Arabic and English
• Plug certification for appliances whose plugs are not included in the equipment test report.
• Additional technical documents like conceptual designs, schematic drawings, technical specifications, and the list of components/materials

GSO Children’s Toys Assessment Requirements

The Gulf Toys Technical Regulation applies to all toys used by children below the age of 14. The regulation applies regardless of whether the toy is intended for the exclusive use of children or not. In particular, the technical regulation includes toys covered by the European Standard EN 71 series and IEC 62115 series for electrical toys.

The list of requirements to certify your toy products include:

• Test reports from an accredited laboratory
• Manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity
• Importer’s Declaration of Conformity
• Risk assessment report detailing evidence of risk analysis conducted by either the manufacturer or a notified body like Geo Chem
• Safety data reports on the chemicals used
• Safety assessment from a notified body like Geo Chem
• Clear photos of the toys
• Rating and warning labels in Arabic or both Arabic and English
• Instruction manual either in Arabic or both Arabic and English.
• Plug certification for appliances whose plugs are not included in the electrical toys test report.
• Additional technical documents like conceptual designs, schematic drawings, technical specifications, and the list of components/materials.

G-Mark Certification Process

The assessment process for G-Mark Certification is as follows:

1. The exporter / importer will have to fill out the GSO Application Form and Declaration of Conformity.
2. Once Geo Chem receives the request, a dedicated and local coordinator will review that request.
3. Geo Chem’s coordinator will check all the necessary documentation and from that, define the application scope of work including the certification requirements.
4. Whenever necessary and to comply with GSO regulations, our coordinator will guide the client through the needed verifications and will schedule the testing of samples, inspection and/or audit (as per requirement).
5. After receipt of satisfactory documents, evaluation, review and passing through certification decision steps, Geo Chem will issue the Gulf Type Examination Certificate.
6. Any further applicable steps or clarification can be taken by writing over mentioned email.

Fee Structure - GSO Scheme*
Particulars	LVE	Children TOYs
Issuance of Gulf Type Examination Certificate (including GCTS activation fee)	(3 Years Validity)	1 Year Validity	2 Years Validity	3 Years Validity	4 Years Validity	5 Years Validity
	1100 USD	800 USD	950 USD	1100 USD	1250 USD	1400 USD
Remarks : - Above charges are inclusive of GCTS activation fee that will be paid to GSO. - For LVE, GCTS activation fee will be paid at once altogether to GSO and certificate will remain valid for 3 years. - For Children Toys GCTS activation can be availed on yearly basis for a maximum validity of 5 years. - Applicable government taxes shall be charges extra at actual. - Testing (if required) shall be charged extra at actual.

* detailed fee structure can be taken by writing over mentioned email i.e. gciqc@gccertifications.com

General Terms & Conditions of Product Certification : Click here to read and accept

Complaint & Appeal Handling - Click here to download

• Complaints Handling Form – Click here to download
• Appeal Form -Click here to download

Please send above filled forms at gciqc@gccertifications.com

Request a Certification

Seeking help in exporting to the Gulf Region? To know more about our services, please feel free to write us gciqc@gccertifications.com