Entering the Gulf Market: G-Mark

G-Mark is the common conformity mark of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and rests on GSO technical regulations. Its most widespread fields of application are low voltage electrical equipment and toys.

The obligation lies with the party placing the product on the market; the application is mostly run through an importer or representative established in the region.

• A test report to the GSO/IEC standards
• Product description and model list
• Production control documentation (where the scheme requires it)
• Arabic label and usage information
• The G-Mark certificate

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.

• Annual surveillance and renewal are envisaged
• Some countries such as Saudi Arabia also require a separate process through their national platforms
• Traceability information must be present on the product

1. 01The common mark and national arrangementsThe common mark does not remove member states' own registration and pre-shipment inspection requirements; these are confirmed separately for the destination country.
2. 02G-Mark and the Saudi Arabian arrangementSaudi Arabia runs a separate process through its own technical regulations and electronic platform; the common mark does not take the place of that platform registration.
3. 03G-Mark and the UAE arrangementsIn the United Arab Emirates the mandatory registration and the voluntary quality mark operate separately; the common mark does not satisfy them.
4. 04Scope of the certificateThe certificate is limited to the model, manufacturer and place of manufacture; a change in any of these three requires a new assessment.

This page describes entry into the Gulf (GCC) market. The scheme itself — its scope, process, validity period and required documents — is covered in detail on the certification page.

This section's content is being prepared. The roadmap specific to your product and target market at the quote stage in writing.