G mark for LVED

The G Mark (Gulf Conformity Mark) is the definitive passport for electrical products entering the GCC marketplace. Governed by the Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO), this mandatory safety framework ensures that Low Voltage Electrical Equipment (LVED) meets rigorous technical standards.

• Regional Reach: Valid across UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Yemen.
• Dual Focus: Mandatory compliance with both Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC).
• Trust Mechanism: Integrated with a QR-based  Tracking Symbol (GCTS) for instant digital verification.

The Gulf Technical Regulation for Low Voltage Electrical Equipment and Appliances (BD-142004-01) makes the G Mark a compulsory requirement for all products falling under its scope. Failure to obtain this certification results in severe consequences, including shipment rejection, detention at customs, and the inability to legally sell the product in the GCC market.

Key Compliance Areas for G Mark Appliances:

1. Safety (Low Voltage Directive – LVD): Products must be safe when used as intended, covering protection against electrical hazards, mechanical safety, fire, heat, and radiation.
2. Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC): Products must function correctly in their electromagnetic environment without causing interference to other equipment, and they must be immune to reasonable levels of external interference.

For manufacturers of g mark appliances, demonstrating compliance in these two critical areas is paramount to receiving the certificate. Instacertify’s expertise ensures your products meet the specific safety and EMC deviations required by the Gulf standards.

The G Mark regulation targets electrical equipment designed for use with a voltage rating between 50V and 1000V for alternating current (AC) and 75V and 1500V for direct current (DC).

The GSO categorizes LVED products into two lists, which dictates the mandatory conformity assessment procedure:

List 1: Lower Risk Products (Self-Declaration)

Products in List 1 are generally considered lower risk and do not strictly require a GSO-approved Notified Body (NB) for certification. The manufacturer issues a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) based on in-house testing and a robust factory quality control system.

List 2: Higher Risk Products (Mandatory Notified Body Intervention)

Products in List 2 pose a higher potential risk to consumers and require mandatory third-party intervention. For these items, a GSO-approved Notified Body must assess the design and technical documentation and issue a Gulf Type Examination Certificate before the G Mark can be applied.

This category is crucial for manufacturers of gmark home appliances as it includes most major household items. Instacertify specializes in coordinating and facilitating the NB assessment for all List 2 products.

List 2 Regulated G Mark Appliances (Examples)	HS Code (Relevant)
Household Electric Fans (Domestic use)	8414.51 / 8414.59
Refrigerators, Freezers, and other freezing equipment	8418
Clothes Washing Machines, Dryers, and Washer-Dryers	8450
Food Grinders, Mixers, Juice Extractors	8509
Toasters	8516.72
Electro-thermic Hair-Dressing and Hand Dryers	8516.31 / 8516.33
Domestic Electric Heating Apparatus	8516.29
Microwave Ovens	8516.50
Cookers, Grills, Roasters, Ovens, and Cooking Plates	8516.60
Electric Instantaneous/Storage Water Heaters & Immersion Heaters	8516.10
Electric Smoothing Irons	8516.40
Air Conditioners (Domestic)	8415
Plugs, Socket Outlets, Adaptors, Cord Extension Sets, and Chargers	8536

If your product is one of these g mark appliances, securing the Gulf Type Examination Certificate via an NB is a necessary step that Instacertify simplifies.

To ensure a seamless evaluation, the following technical documentation must be compiled:

• IECEE CB Test Reports: Including valid CB Certificates (not older than 3 years).
• EMC Test Reports: Proving the device does not interfere with regional telecommunications.
• Manufacturer’s Risk Assessment: A detailed analysis of potential hazards and mitigations.
• Multilingual Manuals: Instruction guides in both Arabic and English.
• Product Photos: Clear images of the product, internal components, and the rating plate.

Our process is structured to be seamless, efficient, and fully compliant with the Gulf Technical Regulations BD-142004-01. When you partner with us, getting your G Mark becomes a straightforward journey.

Step 1: Preliminary Assessment & Strategy

• Product Classification: We accurately determine if your product falls under the LVED scope and whether it is a List 1 (Self-Declaration) or List 2 (Notified Body) product.
• Gap Analysis: We review your existing product documentation (test reports, schematics, manuals) against the specific GSO standards and identify any missing or non-compliant elements.
• Quotation & Agreement: Based on the classification and necessary steps, we provide a transparent, all-inclusive quotation detailing the projected G Mark certification cost and timeline.

Step 2: Documentation & Technical File Compilation

The Technical File (or Technical Construction File) is the most crucial document for G Mark approval. We assist in preparing and compiling all mandatory documents in the required English and Arabic formats:

• Manufacturer and Importer Declaration of Conformity (DoC).
• Risk Assessment Report (mandatory for all regulated products).
• Detailed product description, drawings, schematics, and Bill of Materials (BOM).
• Instruction manuals, including safety warnings in both English and Arabic.
• Trade/Business License and Trademark registration.

Step 3: Product Testing and Notified Body (NB) Engagement

• Testing: If required, we coordinate product testing at GSO-recognized ISO 17025 accredited laboratories to obtain valid Safety (LVD) and EMC test reports. We can utilize valid existing test reports (e.g., IECEE CB Scheme reports) but ensure all Gulf national deviations are covered.
• NB Submission (for List 2 G Mark Appliances): We manage the entire interaction with the GSO Notified Body. We submit the completed technical file and test reports for their conformity assessment.

Step 4: GSO Registration and Certificate Issuance

• Type Examination Certificate: Upon successful review of the technical file and test reports, the Notified Body issues the Gulf Type Examination Certificate.
• GSO Platform Registration: We handle the mandatory registration of the certificate on the official GSO G Mark website (GCTS platform). This step is essential for obtaining the unique QR code.

Step 5: Final Marking and Compliance

• Affixing the G Mark: We guide you on the correct reproduction and affixing of the GSO Conformity Tracking Symbol (GCTS), which consists of the G Mark symbol and the unique, product-specific QR Code. This must be clearly visible on the product and/or packaging.

By executing the process with Instacertify, manufacturers can effectively manage the journey to obtaining their G Mark, ensuring every aspect of technical and administrative compliance is covered.

The overall G Mark certification timeline is dependent on several factors, including the completeness of the manufacturer’s existing documentation and whether the product is a List 1 or List 2 item. Our G Mark online platform helps streamline submissions, significantly reducing delays.

Step	Estimated Timeline (Working Days)	Notes
Initial Assessment & Documentation Gathering	3–5 Days	Depends entirely on client readiness. Instacertify’s quick checklist simplifies this.
Product Testing (If required)	15–30 Days	Varies based on product complexity and lab workload. We leverage international reports to save time.
Risk Assessment & Technical File Preparation	5–10 Days	Done in parallel with testing. Crucial for both List 1 and List 2.
Notified Body Assessment & Review (List 2)	10–20 Days	This is the NB’s review time for the Gulf Type Examination Certificate issuance.
GSO Platform Registration & Final Certificate Issue	5–10 Days	Final registration on the GSO G Mark website and QR code generation.
Total Estimated Timeline	40–75 Days	The overall time for a new List 2 product requiring full testing. Renewal is significantly faster (approx. 30 days).

Providing a fixed, universal G Mark certification cost is challenging, as the expense varies widely based on the product’s nature and required testing. However, we believe in complete transparency and structure the cost around three main components:

Cost Component	Description	Variability Factor
1. Product Testing Fees	Charges from the GSO-accredited testing laboratory for Electrical Safety (LVD) and EMC testing.	High: Dependent on the product’s complexity, the number of models/variants, and the need for new reports vs. utilizing existing CB reports. This is usually the largest portion of the cost for new products.
2. Notified Body (NB) Fees	The mandatory service fee charged by the GSO Notified Body to conduct the assessment, issue the Gulf Type Examination Certificate, and perform initial GSO registration (mandatory for List 2 g mark appliances).	Medium: This is a fixed fee set by the NB and is non-negotiable, regardless of your consultant.
3. Instacertify Professional Fees	Our fee for end-to-end consultancy, documentation management, technical file creation, risk assessment, NB coordination, G Mark online portal management, and final compliance guidance.	Fixed & Competitive: Based on the scope of work (List 1 vs. List 2). Our fee is designed to be highly cost-effective while guaranteeing a smooth process.

Instacertify’s Transparency Commitment:

We commit to providing a detailed, single-figure quotation that is all-inclusive, ensuring you are never surprised by hidden fees. Our goal is to make your total G Mark certification cost predictable and justifiable.

The Gulf Type Examination Certificate issued for the G Mark is generally valid for three (3) years. Before the expiry date, a renewal process must be initiated. Instacertify provides proactive support to ensure your certification remains active, covering re-assessment of any updated standards and technical documentation reviews.