The Gulf Conformity Mark (G-Mark) is a regulatory symbol used by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which consists of seven member states. It demonstrates that products comply with GCC Technical Regulations related to health, safety, and environmental standards. The G-Mark is placed on products and their packaging to indicate this compliance, helping to protect consumers and facilitate smooth trade within the region.
Introduced in January 2014 for toys and expanded in July 2016 to include electrical and electronic products, the G-Mark plays a key role in harmonizing regulations across the GCC. It promotes a consistent marketplace where products meet the same safety and environmental requirements, building trust and transparency in trade practices across member countries.
Products within scope include:
- Refrigerators, freezers and similar items
- Electric Fan
- Washing machines
- Food grinders and mixers, fruit juicers and similar items
- Toasters
- Hairdressing appliances
- Room heaters
- Water heaters
- Microwave ovens
- Other ovens
- Air conditioners
- Plugs, sockets and similar items
- Irons and similar items
Use of the Gulf Conformity Tracking Symbol (GCTS) – a QR code – to represent the G-Mark became mandatory on April 1, 2017. The GCTS provides the consumer with detailed information about the product. It is required for applicable products that are to be exported to GCC Standards Organization (GCC-GSO) member states: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Yemen.
Registration of the Water-Consumption Conservation Product (WER):
As an extension of the G-Mark program, effective January 01, 2024, Water-Consumption Conservation Product sold in GCC must carry Water Conservation Consumption Efficiency labels. The Regulated list covers the following 5 main categories which listed in Annex 1 as per the regulation.
- Category 1: Taps, Mixers, Showers and Sprayers
- Category 2: Urinals
- Category 3: Flow Regulators
- Category 4: Flushing Tanks
- Category 5: Toilets
How SGS can help
SGS is a global leader in inspection, testing, verification and certification services, with extensive experience in managing conformity assessment programs around the world. As a GSO notified body, we are uniquely placed to provide expert guidance on the Gulf Technical Regulations and the overall requirements and procedures for obtaining the G-Mark and the GCTS.