The G‑Mark is a mandatory “entry pass” for products entering the markets of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. The process typically takes 4–7 weeks. The detailed steps are as follows:
Step 1: Confirm Whether Your Product Is Within the Mandatory Scope
This certification primarily applies to Low Voltage Electrical Equipment (LVE) and children’s toys. Check if your product falls into the categories below:
Low Voltage Electrical Equipment mainly includes:
- Kitchen appliances: refrigerators, microwave ovens, ovens, etc.
- Environmental appliances: air conditioners, electric fans, etc.
- Cleaning & personal care: washing machines, hair dryers, electric irons, etc.
- Power supplies & accessories: plugs, sockets, chargers, power cords, etc.
- Other: electric heaters, food mixers, etc.
If your product is not in the above list, G‑Mark may not be required. However, traditional customs clearance documents for the importing country will still be needed.
Step 2: Prepare and Submit Application Documents
If your product requires G‑Mark, you need to prepare a set of technical documents and submit them to a certification body.
Key documents include:
- Application form – signed.
- Test reports – including safety and EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) reports. Accepted reports include: GSO‑recognized CB reports, reports from recognized laboratories for EMC, etc.
- Technical files – circuit diagrams, product photos, nameplate photos.
- Compliance documents – Declaration of Conformity (DoC) from the manufacturer or importer (in English or English‑Arabic), risk assessment report, ISO 9001 certificate.
- Product information – user manual (with safety information) in Arabic or English‑Arabic, trademark registration certificate, business license.
Step 3: Determine Key Certification Details & Timeline
- Certification mode – Low‑risk products may only require a self‑declaration + G‑Mark; high‑risk products (most household appliances and toys) must be tested by a Notified Body (NB) and obtain a GCC Type Examination Certificate.
- Timeline – Typically 4–7 weeks in total (testing ~2–3 weeks, review and issuance ~2 weeks).
- Validity – G‑Mark certificates are generally valid for 3 years.
Step 4: Go Through Testing & Body Review
- Choose and contract – Select a GSO‑recognized certification body (e.g., QIMA, Nemko, etc.) and sign an agreement.
- Document review – The body will review your technical documents and check the validity of existing reports (must be issued within 3 years before the application date).
- Product testing – If the reports are invalid or the product is classified as high risk, testing will be required. For products with valid safety reports (e.g., IECEE CB reports), a difference evaluation may be possible instead of full re‑testing. Tests mainly evaluate electrical safety and EMC.
Step 5: Registration, Certificate Issuance & Labeling
- Registration & issuance – After passing testing, the body registers the product in the GSO database and issues a GCC Type Examination Certificate with a certificate number and QR code.
- GCTS registration – The certificate and product information must be registered in the GSO Certificate Tracking System (GCTS) to obtain a GCTS identifier.
- Apply GCTS mark – After certification, the GCTS identifier (composed of the G‑Mark logo and a QR code) must be affixed to the product, packaging, and instructions.
Important Notes
- Test report validity – Reports used for application must be issued within 3 years before the application date and must clearly state the manufacturer, brand, and model information.
- Language of manuals – The user manual and safety warnings must be in Arabic (English‑Arabic bilingual is also acceptable).
- Additional country‑specific requirements – After obtaining a G‑Mark certificate, exporting to certain countries (e.g., Saudi Arabia, UAE) usually requires additional customs clearance documents (such as Saber). Some countries may also have extra requirements for plugs/sockets, energy efficiency, wireless functions, etc.
