IJCA Vol 5 Issue 1 - Flipbook - Page 27
2026 | Volume 5, Issue 1
investor confidence by reducing risk and signaling
regulatory maturity.
The International Journal of Conformity Assessment
Key Accreditation and Conformity Assessment
Authorities in the GCC
6.6 Building a Future-Ready Quality Ecosystem
Country
The expansion of accredited TIC services reflects
a strategic transformation of the Gulf’s economic
foundation. By embedding accreditation at the
core of industrial, regulatory, and export systems,
Gulf countries are cultivating a future-ready,
globally integrated, and innovation-driven quality
ecosystem.
Saudi
Arabia
SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and
Quality Organization) – Establishes
national standards, manages conformity
assessment schemes, and regulates
product safety and labeling.
SALEEM – A national product safety
program under SASO.
SABER – An electronic platform through
which conformity assessments and
certificates are issued.
United Arab
Emirates
(UAE)
ESMA (Emirates Authority for
Standardization and Metrology) – Formerly
responsible for technical regulations and
conformity assessment; now operates
under the Ministry of Industry and
Advanced Technology.
ECAS (Emirates Conformity Assessment
Scheme) – Mandates product certification
for regulated categories including
electronics, cosmetics, food, and
automotive products
Kuwait
PAI (Public Authority for Industry) –
Oversees industrial policy, standardization,
and conformity assessment activities.
KUCAS (Kuwait Conformity Assurance
Scheme) – Ensures that imported and
locally manufactured products meet
national safety and quality requirements.
Oman
DGSM (Directorate General for Standards
and Metrology) – A department under
the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and
Investment Promotion responsible for
national standardization and metrology
services
Bahrain
BSMD (Bahrain Standards and Metrology
Directorate) – Oversees standards
development, market surveillance, and
conformity procedures under the Ministry
of Industry and Commerce.
GCC-wide
Programs
G-Mark (Gulf Conformity Marking) – A
regional conformity mark for low-voltage
electrical equipment and children’s toys
sold in GCC markets.
RCAS (GCC Rapid Alert System) – A regional
alert mechanism for unsafe or noncompliant non-food products.
VOC Programs (Verification of Conformity)
– Used by many Gulf states to confirm that
imported products comply with applicable
technical regulations prior to market entry.
This ecosystem supports national development
agendas such as Saudi Vision 2030 and UAE
Vision 2030, while strengthening the region’s
position as a leader in global standards, safety,
and excellence.
6.7 Regional Accreditation Programs and Bodies
Each GCC country has established national
accreditation and conformity assessment
frameworks designed to safeguard product
quality, consumer safety, and international
competitiveness. These systems oversee
laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification
agencies in alignment with recognized standards
such as ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17020, and ISO/
IEC 17065.
Collectively, these national and regional
frameworks reinforce regulatory enforcement,
consumer protection, and international trade
facilitation within the Gulf’s quality infrastructure.
They serve a dual purpose:
1. National quality guardians: ensuring products
and services meet domestic regulatory, safety,
and performance requirements.
2. Global trade facilitators: enabling exporters and
manufacturers to access international markets
through internationally recognized conformity
assessment and certification.
Through participation in international accreditation
arrangements and mutual recognition frameworks,
these bodies strengthen trust in regionally issued
certificates and test results. This cooperation
reduces technical barriers to trade, enhances
regulatory confidence, and supports smoother
import and export processes across global
markets.
Key accreditation and conformity assessment
authorities operating across the GCC are outlined
below, illustrating how each country structures its
national quality infrastructure while aligning with
shared regional and international standards.
Key Authorities
These national and regional frameworks form a
central pillar of the GCC’s quality infrastructure,
supporting regulatory enforcement, consumer
protection, and international trade facilitation.
27
