Gulf Comfirmity Mark

Gulf Conformity Marking

Definition

The marking is not a quality mark, but rather a marking that signifies the conformity of products to the least essential requirements of health, safety and environment. Affixing of Gulf Conformity Marking will be compulsory for product categories for which Gulf Technical Regulations for conformity assessment are issued. Priority has been given to regulations pertaining to toys and low-voltage devices. The technical regulations shall determine the conformity assessment procedures that should be applied by the manufacturer or a Notified Body, as a third party that is brought on board to carry out the conformity assessment procedures as stated by the technical regulations concerned with each product category.

The main features of this marking are as follows: 

1. The Gulf Conformity Marking signifies the manufacturers' fulfilment of all requirements in the Gulf Technical Regulations for products.

2. The Gulf Conformity Marking confirms the compliance of industrial products with the Gulf Technical Regulations.

3. The concept of conformity is not restricted to the essential requirements pertaining to safety, public health, consumer protection, etc.   Sometimes, given regulations may require specific commitments that may not necessarily constitute part of the essential requirements.

4. Affixing of the Gulf Conformity Marking on products means that the natural or legal entity that undertakes the action of affixing or assumes the responsibility of marking affixing is assured that the concerned product is compliant with the whole requirements of the relevant regulations that are applicable to the product. The marking also signifies that the product has passed all adequate conformity assessment procedures.

5. In case of having more than one applicable Gulf Technical Regulation, the Gulf Conformity Marking means that products are in full compliance with all requirements of such regulations. The applicable regulations, where suitable, should be accordingly recorded on the label of the products.

6. Any product subject to the Gulf Technical Regulations should bear the Gulf Conformity Marking to be placed on the GCC markets. In case of exceptions in the context of the Gulf Technical Regulations, the exceptions will just mean not to go by the administrative steps in relation to some products that may not be practical or economic.  

7. The Gulf Conformity Marking should take the format shown in the Technical Regulation.

8. In case of minimizing or maximizing the Gulf Conformity Marking, the ratios illustrated in the diagram layout should be taken into consideration. 

9. If the concerned regulations do not prescribe given dimensions, the Gulf Conformity Marking should be of at least 5 mm high.

10. The Gulf Conformity Marking should be affixed on products or printed on the label of products. If not feasible or possible, due to the nature of products, the marking should be printed on the packaging (if any), or on the enclosed documents in accordance with what is stated in the relevant regulations in that respect.

11. The marking should be affixed in a clear, legible, permanent, and inerasable manner.

12. The marking should be affixed at the end of the products control stage.

13. The Gulf Conformity Marking should be accompanied with the identification number of the notified body (refer to the notified bodies guide for more information on identification numbers of the notified bodies).

14. It is strictly prohibited to affix other marks for the purpose of deception with respect to the concept and format of the Gulf Conformity Marking. 

15. Any given product could bear other marks that may signify conformity to national or international standards provided that they will not cause any confusion with the Gulf Conformity Marking. Other marks could be affixed on the product or the packaging or the accompanying documents provided that they will not cause any confusion with the Gulf Conformity Marking. These other marks may tamper may only be affixed on the product, its package or enclosed documents, provided that they do not compromise the readability and legibility of the Gulf Conformity Marking.

16. The Gulf Conformity Marking should be affixed by the manufacturer or its agents or legal representatives in the GCC market. The person in charge of placing product on the GCC market may also affix it, if this is set forth in the Gulf Technical Regulations.

17. The manufacturer or its agent in the GCC States must declare that it has been awarded Gulf Conformity Marking after satisfying the relevant requirements (Type testing, quality system implementation, etc.).

18. In case there are more than one Gulf Technical Regulation applicable to the product, the manufacturer could issue a single declaration comprising all the fulfilled Gulf Technical Regulations, which the product fulfils their requirements.

19. The declaration and its content shall be made available to the concerned control and market survey bodies in the GSO Member States if requested.