All products that are subject to conformity assessment involving intervention of notified bodies shall bear the GCTS(GSO Conformity Tracking Symbol )， with the number of Notified Body (NB) and QR-Code, be implemented beginning 1st January 2017 and will become mandatory from 1st April, 2017.

What’s GCTS

GSO Conformity Tracking Symbol (GCTS): – A symbol granted by GSO representing the Gulf Conformity Marking along with numerals annotated underneath, being a four digit Notified Body (NB) identification number and a QR code for traceability and tracking which is generated by the GSO certificate tracking system.

Under the latest rule, the GCTS with G-Mark, 4 digit notified body identification number and a QR code should be affixed on product, outer packaging and accompanying document.

What’s GSO?

GSO: GCC Standardization Organization

What’s GAC?

GAC: Gulf Accreditation Center

What’s GCC?

The GCC Member Countries are:

• United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• State of Kuwait
• Kingdom of Bahrain
• Sultanate of Oman
• State of Qatar
• Republic of Yemen

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Technical Regulation on Children’s Toy (BD-131704-1)

The new Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Technical Regulation on children toys (BD-131704-1) entered into force on January 1, 2014. Under this regulation toys marketed, distributed and sold in the GCC member countries are obliged to meet all requirements under this Regulation.

GCC Technical Regulation Requirements

There are a number of essential safety parameters for toys falling within the scope of the Technical Regulation, for an example,

• Physical and mechanical properties
• Flammability
• Chemicals
• Safety assessment

Instructions and safety information, warning, Conformity Declaration must in Arabic language.

Intertek’s Service

Intertek Testing Services (Shenzhen) Ltd has been accredited as a Product Certification Body (Notified Body) for the GCC Product Certification and accredited as a GAC Accredited Testing Laboratory it can deliver one-stop toy solutions for the GCC regulation, including:

• Conduct conformity assessments
• Conduct safety assessments (physical & mechanical, chemical etc) 
• Conduct GC-type examinations
• Review labels and markings in Arabic
• Assist to prepare Declarations of Conformity (DOCs)
• Issue Certificates of Conformity (COCs)

Intertek toy experts can advise toy manufacturers during the product development, technical file review and conformity assessment stages on whether a toy is likely to comply with the GCC regulation, In addition, Intertek Dubai can check labels and markings in Arabic.

Contacts:

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact:

Ms. Lany Yang - Customer Service

Lany.Yang@intertek.com