Middle East Certification

GCC is the acronym for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (Gulf Cooperation Council). The GCC was established on May 25, 1981 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Its member countries are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Yemen and seven other countries with a tropical desert climate.

The GSO Board of Directors held its tenth meeting in May 2009 and formed a unanimous resolution on the GCC Conformity Marking. All regulated products are required to bear the GCC Conformity Marking mark, and these products with the GCC Conformity Marking mark can be more quickly and easily circulated and traded in GCC member countries. All products with the mark must meet the basic health, safety and environmental requirements, in addition to the GSO standards and regulations applicable to the product.

Logo indication

The GCC conformity mark logo indicates

1) Product companies meet the requirements of GCC regulations.

2) The labeled products meet the GCC regulatory requirements.

3) The products should not only meet the requirements of safety, public health and consumer protection, but also meet the requirements of GSO regulations.

4) The legal person or company is responsible for the product with the GCC Conformity Marking label and commits that the product meets all applicable GSO regulatory requirements and has also passed the conformance assessment process.

5) In order to have multiple applicable GCC technical regulations, GCC Conformity Marking indicates that the product complies with all applicable regulations. These regulations should be reflected on the product label and nameplate.

6) All regulated products must be labeled with the GCC Conformity Marking prior to entering the GCC market, except for some special economic reasons or exempted products resulting from administrative means. Exemptions apply only to products that are not harmful to health, safety and related operability, and these exempted products must be notified by GSO to all Gulf member countries.

7) The pattern of GCC Conformity Marking should not be too large or too small, and the technical regulations should be relevant.

8) If the relevant regulations for the provisions of the GCC Conformity Marking logo size, by requiring the logo height is greater than 5 mm.

9) The GCC Conformity Marking logo should appear in an appropriate location according to the nature of the product, such as fixed or printed on the product label, or printed on the product packaging or printed on the closed file according to regulatory requirements.

10) GCC Conformity Marking requires clear, readable, and not easily worn.

11) The GCC Conformity Marking logo is produced and pasted on the finished product stage.

12) The GCC Conformity Marking logo must carry the identity code of the announcement body

13) No other deceptive marks that are identical or similar to the GCC Conformity Marking marks are allowed.

14) The GCC Conformity Marking mark may appear in conjunction with other national or international marks as long as these marks do not confuse the GCCConformity Marking and do not limit or damage the readability of the GCCConformity Marking mark.

15) GCCConformity Marking logo can be made and pasted by the manufacturer, agency or the person responsible for the marketing of the product's GCC.

16) Manufacturers or manufacturers in the GCC members of the agency need to issue a statement that: the company meets the form of inspection, quality control system of the relevant regulatory requirements before the production of the paste GCCConformity Marking logo.

17) declare to ensure that the product meets the basic requirements and conditions specified in the GCC technical regulations. Or declare that the product is consistent with the sample tested by the announcement agency.

18) GCC regulations are not specifically indicated outside, all the declaration documents to maintain at least 10 years.

19) Declarations and labels contain at least the following:

A. The name of the manufacturer or the name of the agency in the GCC country;

B. Product identity features, such as: product name, model number, model code and serial number and other similar data.

C. Product design and production using the standard regulations and technical guidelines;

D. Product grade or category (appliances);

E. The person responsible for the product and his signature (manufacturer or legal agent of GCC member countries);

F. Declaration document - This document states the manufacturer's responsibility or the responsibility of the legal agent;

G. The identity of the manufacturer or agent signing personnel;

20) The declaration file can contain other information, such as: the name and address of the inspection and testing organization, the name and address of the person responsible for the product.

21) To prevent a product from having multiple applicable GCC technical regulations, the manufacturer may issue a statement that all GCC technical regulations met by the product are included in the statement.

22) Declaration documents are readily available to the market investigation and control bodies of GCC member countries

Product range

Other Information

Technical information: voltage frequency AC 220/240V 50Hz, plug BS 1363, etc.

Whether mandatory: mandatory
Certificate validity: valid for three years
Factory inspection requirements: None

Certification Introduction

Since March 17, 2003, Kuwait Industrial Authority (PAI: The Public Authority for Industry) has implemented the ICCP (International Conformity Certification Program) to assess and confirm the conformity of products imported into Kuwait. All regulated products must obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by an authorized agency of the PAI before entering Kuwait for smooth customs clearance.

Since June 17, 2006, PAI will be the original implementation of the ICCP program revised to the conformity system assessment KUCAS program (Kuwait Conformity Assurance Scheme), and September 1, 2006 abolished the original pre-shipment testing method.

Controlled Products

It mainly contains five categories: electronics and electrical appliances, automobiles, chemicals, building materials and others.

Application Process

There are two ways for customers to obtain the clearance document CoC certificate according to their own situation. However, in order to reduce the risk of export, generally customers choose the way of exporting country application.

1. Destination country application

1) Simple process: sampling and testing at port, ------inspection----- (if needed: apply for TEC certificate), -----application for CoC clearance.

2) After the product arrives at the port of Kuwait, the Kuwait Industrial Authority PAI takes a sample at the port for full testing. After the test is completed, PAI conducts technical inspection of the product and issues a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for customs clearance after PAI has reviewed the test report and inspection report and fully complies with the requirements.

Note: For high shipment frequency, you can apply for a Technical Evaluation Certificate (TEC, Technical Evaluation Certificate) from PAI based on the test report. The validity period of the certificate is based on the test report and is valid for 2 years after the test report is issued. During the validity period of the certificate, it is not necessary to submit the test report for each shipment, but only the TEC certificate can be issued.

2. Exporting countries apply for

1) Simple process: sampling and testing in port, ------inspection----- (if needed: apply for TEC certificate), -----application for CoC clearance

2) When the product is in the exporting country, apply to the qualified laboratory for testing. After the test is completed, apply to the qualified inspection agency for pre-shipment inspection PSI and obtain the technical inspection report TIR(Technical Inspection Report) PAI review the test report and TIR inspection report, fully meet the requirements, issued a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for customs clearance.

Note: For high frequency of shipments, customers can apply for Technical Evaluation Report (TER) certificate based on the test report; the validity period of TER certificate is based on the test report, generally 3 years for CB report and 2 years for other IEC reports. During the validity period of TER, it is not necessary to submit the test report for each shipment, only the TER can be issued.

Certification Mark

Other Information

Technical information: voltage frequency AC240V, 50Hz, plug BS 1363
 mandatory or not: mandatory
 Certificate validity.
 1.TER validity: based on the validity of the test report, CB report 3 years, other IEC reports 2 years
 2. TIR validity period: batch validity
 3. CoC validity: batch validity
 Factory inspection requirements: None
 Requirements for licensee: None

Certification Introduction

In order to ensure public health, consumer safety and national security, the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has been implementing the ICCP program since 1995, and on September 30, 2003, MOCI issued a new Product Conformity Certification Program (PCP) to replace the ICCP program, breaking the monopoly mechanism of the ICCP program and introducing third-party assessment bodies and third-party laboratories.

On August 8, 2004, the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Trade issued Decree No. 6386, amending the PCP program, stipulating that all goods under control must provide a valid Certificate of Conformity (CoC) before being allowed to enter the Saudi market,  Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization) control, SASO authorized the designated issuing agency to issue CoC certificate.

All Saudi imports must be accompanied by a CoC Certificate of Conformity, except for products that are prohibited or exempt as specified. the PCP program covers the three requirements of conformity assessment, inspection and certification. The program consists of three types of certification, including: batch-by-batch inspection, registration and type certification. Manufacturers can choose their own according to the actual frequency of shipments.

Saudi Arabia's latest request.

1. the certificate of conformity issued for goods exported to Saudi Arabia should be based on the test report issued by an accredited laboratory.

2. CoC can only be issued to products produced by factories licensed or registered by the government of the exporting country.

3. Each batch of high-risk goods/products to be exported to Saudi Arabia should be inspected prior to shipment, sealed, wax sealed and marked on the seal with the serial number associated with the certificate of conformity of the product.

4. All marks on the product must be verified.

Product Range

All consumer products exported to Saudi Arabian countries are classified as regulated products, covering five major categories: toys, electrical and electronic products, automotive products, chemical products and other products.

Products not under PCP control: food and agricultural products, medicines and cosmetics, medical devices and equipment, crude oil. Products prohibited for export: weapons, alcohol, sedatives, pork, pornographic materials, brewing equipment, fireworks, Christmas trees, nutmeg, masks, videophones, toys or statues showing animals and people, and more than 40 other varieties.

Application Process

1. Batch by batch inspection:

For exporters or suppliers who ship infrequently (e.g., less than three times per year). Pre-shipment inspection PSI and pre-shipment test PST must be conducted, and CoC certificate can be obtained after both are passed.

2. Registration.

Suitable for exporters who ship frequently (homogeneous products), must conduct pre-shipment inspection PSI, and apply for the Statement for Registration (SfR). This method is suitable for the majority of customers, its advantage is that each pre-shipment inspection (PSI: Pre-shipment Inspection), although necessary, but each batch of goods do not need to be pre-shipment testing (PST: Pre-shipment Testing).

3. Type approval:

Suitable for exporters with frequent shipments and high volumes. Requires that the product must fully comply with the relevant provisions, and the manufacturer's quality control system to assess the requirements before the issuance of the type approval certificate Statement for Licence (SfL). This way can save each shipment before the inspection fee or testing fees, simplify the application process to repeat, but also to ensure delivery time, so a part of the more frequent shipments or larger scale, focusing on quality and reputation of large companies favored.

Certification Mark

None, but the following matters need to be noted.

1. Label language: English or Arabic.

2. Instructions, warning language: Arabic or Arabic + English;

3. Products and packaging or labels should be printed with the words MADE IN CHINA; (MADE IN CHINA must be non-removable way reflected in the products and packaging, can not use ordinary stickers stickers).

4. Do not allow any SASO LOGO to be displayed on the product or package without the authorization of SASO registration, so as to avoid the goods being rejected by Saudi customs in the port of destination.

Other Information

Technical information: voltage frequency AC220V 60Hz, plug BS 1363
Whether mandatory: mandatory
Certificate validity: COC batch valid, registration certificate valid for one year
Factory inspection requirements: None

Requirements of the licensee: None

Certification Introduction

The Standards Institution of Israel (SII, The Standards Institution of ISrael) is the official standards body of Israel according to the Standards Law of 1953. To date, the SII has issued and implemented as many as 3,000 Israeli standards, which are designated by the code name "IS". For controlled electrical and electronic products, it is required by law to apply for and obtain SII certification as a clearance and sales permit from January 1, 2005.

For most IEC standards, SII accepts the IECEE mutual recognition system for test certificates for electrical products. According to the CB Scheme rules, SII accepts and recognizes CB reports and CB certificates, and only needs to test for compliance with Israeli differences and additional requirements (including EMC certification standards). However, it should be noted that the current product categories for which SII accepts CB transfer certificates only include: lamps and lanterns, information and office equipment, medical devices, measuring instruments, electronic entertainment equipment, and capacitors.

Product Range

According to the Standardization Law, Israel classifies products according to their potential hazards to public health and safety into four classes for different management.

Category I is the highest degree of risk to public health and safety products, such as household appliances, children's toys, pressure vessels, portable foam fire extinguishers.

Category II is a product with a medium level of potential risk to public health and safety: including sunglasses, balls for various uses, installation pipes, carpets, bottles, and construction materials.

Category III is a low risk to public health and safety products: including ceramic tiles, ceramic sanitary ware, etc.

Category IV is for industrial use only and not directly to consumers: such as industrial electronics.

Application Process

1. Standard Mark certificationStandards Mark certification: voluntary + mandatory certification, in principle, is voluntary certification, but for the implementation of mandatory certification requirements for Class I products.

1) Mandatory products include: Class I products, specifically including storage solar water heaters, plugs and sockets, lamps, ballasts, lamp holders, domestic gas devices, portable electric immersion heaters, electric kettles, fire extinguishing devices, washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, household heating / cooking / frying appliances, elevators, electric blankets, primary battery packs, etc.. Please confirm with GIG whether it is within the mandatory scope.

2) Certification process: SII product test + SII first inspection + SII annual inspection = SII certificate

3) Logo: the following figure.

2. Safety Mark certificationSafety Mark certification: voluntary certification. Mainly also for the first I products. The main function of applying for this certification is to reduce the procedure of customs inspection and enter the market in a short time. Different from the standard mark certification, safety mark certification does not require factory inspection.

1) Compulsory products include: Class I products. Please confirm with GIG whether the specific is within the mandatory scope.

2) Certification process: SII product testing = SII certificate

3) Logo: the following figure.

3. SII type approval Type Approval: the current common way. The application is approved without granting the mark, but allows the product to be imported and sold after customs pre-shipment compliance testing. No factory inspection requirements.

4. SII Shipment Inspection: When the goods arrive at the port, Israeli customs will test and inspect the products batch by batch. This method is more risky.

Certification Mark

Other Information

Technical information: voltage frequency AC230V, 50Hz, plug SI 32

Whether mandatory: mandatory + voluntary
Certificate validity: 1~4 years, based on the product
Factory inspection requirements: Only SII standard certification requires factory inspection
Licensee requirements: local agents are required to hold the certificate