G-Mark Gulf Conformity Mark Certification for Bahrain

The G-Mark is the Gulf Conformity Mark, required under GSO technical regulations before low voltage electrical equipment or children's toys can be placed on the market in any GCC state, including Bahrain. itmad is a GSO-approved Notified Body for low voltage electrical equipment and toys, and itmad conducts the conformity assessment and issues the G-Mark certificate directly. Last reviewed: October 2026.

What the G-Mark is

The G-Mark is the Gulf Conformity Mark, required by the GSO technical regulations before low voltage electrical equipment or children's toys can be placed on the market in any GCC state. The G-Mark is mandatory, and the G-Mark certificate must be issued by a GSO-approved Notified Body. Without the G-Mark, affected products cannot legally enter or be sold in any GCC state, including Bahrain.

itmad as a GSO-approved Notified Body

Only bodies approved and notified by the Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO) can carry out the conformity assessment and issue the G-Mark certificate. itmad is a GSO-approved Notified Body for low voltage electrical equipment and toys. itmad conducts the assessment and issues the certificate directly, so the applicant deals with the body that makes the decision.

Which products require the G-Mark

• Low voltage electrical equipmentEquipment rated between 50 and 1000 volts AC, or 75 and 1500 volts DC. The scope covers household appliances, lighting, power tools, IT and audio equipment, cables, switches, accessories and most mains-powered consumer and commercial products.
• Children's toysProducts designed or intended for play by children under 14, assessed against the GSO toy safety technical regulation covering mechanical and physical properties, flammability, chemical migration and electrical safety where applicable.

The scope changes over time as GSO issues further technical regulations. An applicant who is unsure whether a product falls within a regulated category can send the product details to itmad, and itmad confirms the category before the applicant commits to anything.

The GSO Conformity Tracking Symbol

Certified products must carry the G-Mark together with the GSO Conformity Tracking Symbol (GCTS), a QR code linking the physical product to its certificate record in the GSO system. Customs and market surveillance can scan the GCTS, so a product bearing a G-Mark without a valid corresponding record is immediately identifiable. The GCTS is issued as part of certification and must appear on the product or its packaging as the regulation specifies.

What G-Mark certification involves

• 1. Scope determinationConfirming whether the product falls within a regulated category, which technical regulation applies, and which conformity assessment route is appropriate.
• 2. Technical file reviewAssessment of the technical documentation: design, specifications, circuit diagrams, bill of materials, risk assessment and the standards applied.
• 3. Test reportsReview of test reports against the applicable GSO or international standards. Where testing is missing or from a non-accepted source, itmad identifies what is required and coordinates the testing.
• 4. Factory assessmentWhere the conformity assessment route requires factory assessment, evaluation of production control arrangements at the manufacturing site.
• 5. Certificate and tracking symbolIssue of the G-Mark certificate and the GCTS QR code for application to the product.
• 6. SurveillanceOngoing surveillance as the scheme requires, maintaining the validity of the certificate.

Where G-Mark applications go wrong

Most delays come from the technical file rather than the product. Typical causes are test reports from laboratories not accepted under the scheme, reports against superseded standard editions, a bill of materials that does not match the tested sample, and a model schedule listing variants that were never tested. Each of these causes is straightforward to correct before submission and expensive to correct afterwards, which is why itmad reviews the file first and reports what is missing before the assessment formally begins.

Model identification

Every specific model must be identified on the G-Mark certificate. Wildcard and generic model designations are no longer accepted, and a mismatch between the certificate, the product marking and the HS code declared at import can cause shipments to be held at the port. Where a range shares a platform, the model schedule needs to be built correctly at application stage rather than extended later.

Who needs the G-Mark

• Manufacturers placing electrical products or toys on any GCC market
• Importers and distributors bringing regulated products into GCC states
• Exporters shipping into Bahrain or any other GCC state
• Private label and own-brand retailers responsible for their own compliance
• Businesses whose shipment has been held pending certification evidence
• Suppliers whose clients require certified products

Frequently asked questions

What is the G-Mark?

The G-Mark is the Gulf Conformity Mark, required under GSO technical regulations before regulated products can be placed on the market in any GCC state, including Bahrain. The G-Mark shows that a GSO-approved Notified Body has assessed the product and found conformity with the applicable technical regulation.

Which products need G-Mark certification?

Currently low voltage electrical equipment rated 50 to 1000 V AC or 75 to 1500 V DC, and children's toys intended for children under 14. The scope expands as GSO issues further technical regulations.

Is the G-Mark mandatory?

Yes, for products in regulated categories. Affected products cannot legally be imported, sold or distributed in any GCC state, including Bahrain, without the G-Mark.

Who can issue a G-Mark certificate?

Only a Notified Body approved by the Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO). itmad is a GSO-approved Notified Body for low voltage electrical equipment and toys, and itmad issues G-Mark certificates directly.

What is the GCTS tracking symbol?

The GSO Conformity Tracking Symbol is a QR code issued with the certificate that links the physical product to its record in the GSO system. Customs and market surveillance can scan the symbol to verify that the certificate is genuine and current.

Does the G-Mark apply in Bahrain?

Yes. Bahrain is a GCC state, and the G-Mark is mandatory in GCC states for products in regulated categories. itmad is a GSO-approved Notified Body for low voltage electrical equipment and toys.