Gulf Countries Introduce Mandatory Conformity Tracking Symbol for Electronic and Electric Products

The Gulf Conformity Tracking Symbol (GCTS) became mandatory on electronic and electrical products destined for the Gulf countries on April 1, 2017. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) April 16, 2017 - On April 1, 2017, the Gulf Conformity Tracking Symbol (GCTS) became mandatory for electronic and electrical (EE) products being marketed in the Gulf region. Manufacturers wishing to distribute EE products, in any of the seven states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), must first attach a GCTS, defined by the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO).

GSO member states are:
• United Arab Emirates
• Kingdom of Bahrain
• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Sultanate of Oman
• State of Qatar
• State of Kuwait
• Republic of Yemen

The GCTS is mandatory for all products that are subject to conformity assessment involving a notified body under one of the GSO technical regulations.

The technical regulation, Low Voltage Electrical Equipment and Appliances (BD-142004-01), which came into force on July 1, 2016. It sets out the mandatory requirements for safety and electromagnetic compatibility. List (2) defines the thirteen types of low voltage equipment that must meet this technical regulation, these are:
• Domestic Fans
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Centrifugal clothes dryers and Clothes washing machines, including machines which both wash and dry.
• Blenders, grinders and mixers, including juice extractors.
• Toasters
• Hair and hand dryers
• Domestic heaters
• Microwave ovens
• Ovens and other cooking equipment
• Water heaters and immersion heaters
• Smoothing irons
• Plugs, Socket outlets, Adaptors, Cord Extension, Sets and Chargers.
• Air conditioners

Products that meet the technical regulation must now carry the GCTS, affixed to the product or its label, outer packaging and accompanying documents (such as the user instruction manual). The GCTS is a combination of the GC Marking and the QR code. The QR code will not be changed until the GC Type Examination Certificate expires.

The GSO has also further clarified the scope of the products listed in List (2). It has announced that all heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems up to 70 KBTU must obtain the GC Marking. In addition, the GCC has also published two new standards on safety and performance for air conditioners - GSO 2530/2016 and GSO 2531/2016. Stakeholders should be aware that the GSO 2531/2016 Clause 4 safety requirement must be considered in addition to GSO IEC 60335-2-40.

Additionally, stakeholders should also be conscious of the fact that the United Arab Emirates' new national standards - UAE.S 5010-1:2016 and UAE.S 5010-5:2016 - relating to product energy efficiency, will come into force on August 1, 2017.

SGS Electrical & Electronics Services
SGS has several GCC Notified Body accredited and GAC accredited sites among its global network of laboratories. SGS provide the full range of services to manufacturers and retailers working in the electronics industry. They understand regulations and standards for every product and every target market, helping businesses reduce risk, improve efficiency and ensure compliance. SGS can provide a one-stop solution to assist manufacturers and importers access Gulf markets. Learn more about SGS's Electrical & Electronics Services (www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/electrical-and-electronics)

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Gulf Countries: New and Updated Requirements for Electronic and Electric Appliances SafeGuardS. (www.sgs.com/en/news/2017/04/safeguards-05317-gulf-countries-new-and-updated-requirements-for-electronic-and-electric-appliances)

Subscribe here, www.sgs.com/subscribesg, to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:
Sven Dong
Technical Expert
Consumer Goods and Retail, EE
Tel: +86 21 61915666
Email: cts.media ( @ ) sgs dot com
Website: www.sgs.com/ee

About SGS
SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 90,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,000 offices and laboratories around the world.

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