Access to the Gulf Market

G-Mark is the common conformity mark of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and is based on technical regulations published by GSO. Although it is a common mark, some member states additionally apply their own national regimes; therefore additional steps may be required depending on the target country.

• Foreign test reports may be accepted as input by the authorised body; the decision to accept belongs to the body.
• Having obtained the common mark does not remove member states' own national registration and pre-shipment inspection requirements.
• A CB Scheme report reduces the testing burden for electrical products.
• The scope of the certificate is limited to the model, manufacturer and place of manufacture; a change in any of these three requires a new assessment.
• The Arabic label and information requirement cannot be substituted by any report; it is checked separately before shipment.

• G-Mark is mandatory for products within the scope of GSO technical regulations
• The most common areas of application are low-voltage electrical equipment and toys
• The process involves obtaining a certificate from a body authorized by GSO
• Annual surveillance and renewal are envisaged
• Some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, additionally operate their own national platforms
• Arabic-language information and labelling are expected

G-Mark applications are usually processed through an importer or representative resident in the region. Under country-based regimes (e.g. Saudi Arabia's SABER), the local importer must be registered in the system, and this party carries out the transactions.

• G-Mark

1. 01Scope DeterminationIt is determined which legislation and marking scope the product falls under in the target market. This step defines the entire process; getting it wrong wastes all subsequent work.
2. 02Determining Applicable StandardsThe standards accepted by the market and any national deviations are identified. The same IEC standard may apply with different deviations in different markets.
3. 03Establishing the Test PlanIt is assessed which part of existing test reports will be accepted; missing tests are planned. A CB Scheme report, if available, reduces retesting.
4. 04Local Party and RegistrationIf the market requires an established representative, importer or applicant, this party is designated and the necessary registrations are made.
5. 05Tests and Technical FileTests are conducted and the technical file is prepared. Some markets require testing to be performed within their own country.
6. 06Certification or DeclarationDepending on the market's regime, a manufacturer's declaration is drawn up or a certificate is obtained from the authorised body; a factory audit is carried out if required.
7. 07Marking and LabellingThe mark and label are applied according to the market's format and language rules. The language requirement is checked at customs in most markets.
8. 08Shipment and CustomsIf a pre-shipment document is required, it is obtained; the document set to be presented at customs is completed.

• The G-Mark and traceability information appear on the product
• Arabic-language labelling and usage information are expected
• The certificate and product conformity are checked at customs
• An additional conformity document (e.g. SABER SCoC) may be required depending on the country

• Assuming G-Mark alone is sufficient in all Gulf countries
• Skipping SABER procedures for Saudi Arabia
• Not preparing Arabic-language documentation
• Not planning for the annual surveillance obligation