New Technical Regulation in Gulf Region Applies Only to Certain Toys

April 10, 2017 | The Toy Industry Association (TIA) is alerting members about a new technical regulation for children’s products in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

As of April 1, 2017, the use of a Gulf Standards Organization (GSO) Gulf Conformity Tracking Symbol (GCTS) is required on certain toys and children’s products. However, the vast majority of toys exported to the region (with the exception of those noted below) are not subject to this regulation.

Toy manufacturers whose products comply with GSO standards are not required to use the GCTS, which is applied in addition to the mandatory “G Mark” certification marking and consists of a QR-code for identification tracking. This technical regulation applies only to products that are not completely addressed by GSO toy standards and must instead undergo review by a “notified body” for type acceptance prior to distribution.

TIA is sharing with members a statement created by Toy Industries of Europe (TIE) that provides more clarification on this matter. Members are encouraged to share this statement with distributors in the GCC region and use it if their products are stopped at import into a GCC country and the customs authorities incorrectly require application of the GCTS to their products.

TIE and TIA are currently in talks with the Gulf Standards Organization to secure documentation regarding this issue and ensure that the new technical regulation is enforced correctly.

Members will be kept apprised of developments; in the meantime, questions may be directed to Al Kaufman, TIA’s senior vice president of technical affairs.