Middle East - Home

On 22 October 2025, the Gulf Cooperation Council Standardization Organization (GSO), represented by the Gulf Technical Committee for Medical Devices and Supplies (GSO/TC 11), signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), represented by the European Technical Committee for Non-active Medical Devices (CEN/TC 105). The agreement aims to enhance collaboration in developing and harmonizing standards for non-active medical devices, and to promote the exchange of expertise and capacity building between the two regions.

Cooperation on Key Medical Device Standards

The partnership will focus on developing and harmonizing standards for a wide range of products, including blood pressure measuring devices, thermometers, catheters, medical needles and syringes, medical and surgical gloves, medical and respiratory masks, wound dressings, and products designed to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

Supporting Alignment Between GCC and European Standards

This is the sixth Technical Cooperation Agreement that the GSO has signed since 2022 to align Gulf technical committees with their European counterparts. Previous collaborations have covered areas such as:

• Oil and gas (GSO Technical Committee (GSO/TC 07) for Oil and Gas with the European Committee CEN/TC 12)
• Plastics and rubber (GSO Technical Committee (GSO/TC 02) for Plastics and Rubber with the European Committee CEN/TC 145)
• Children’s toys (GSO Technical Committee (GSO/TC 14) for children’s supplies and toys with the European Committee CEN/TC 52)
• Fire safety (GSO Technical Committee (GBC-TC-FF) for Gulf Building Code – Fire Fighting) with the European Committee CEN/TC 127)
• Air conditioning equipment and heat pumps (GSO Technical Committee (GSO/TC 03) for Heat Pumps and Air Conditioning Equipment with the European Committee CEN/TC 113).

Through these initiatives, the GSO aims to raise safety and quality standards throughout member states in collaboration with partner organizations. This cooperation also supports regional quality infrastructure, strengthens capacity building, and knowledge sharing, promotes technical harmonization, and contributes to improved product quality, consumer protection and sustainable development in the GCC region.

On 13 August 2025, UAE’s Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology (MOIAT) notified the Cabinet Decision 2025 i.e. UAE Control Scheme of Cosmetics and Personal Care Products to the World Trade Organization (WTO). All cosmetics and personal care items that are manufactured, imported, supplied, or packaged for use in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are specifically subject to this cabinet decision.

Previous Update in 2014       

Earlier in 2014, United Arab Emirates (UAE) published Cabinet Decisions No. 5/2014 for Perfumes while No. 18/2014 for Cosmetics).

Key Insights from the Control Scheme

1. Scope

• Applies to all cosmetics & personal care products manufactured, imported, supplied, or marketed in the UAE.
• Excludes medicinal products, medical cosmetics, and cosmetic devices.

2. Standards and Compliance

• Mandatory compliance with UAE/GSO standards:
• UAE.S GSO 1943 – Safety of Cosmetics & Personal Care Products
• UAE.S GSO 2528 – Claims Regulation
• UAE.S GSO 2636 – Product Information File (PIF)
• UAE.S ISO 22716 – Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• UAE.S GSO OIML R87 – Quantity of product in prepackages
• Suppliers must maintain safety reports & PIF for 10 years.

3. Supplier Obligations

• Ensure safe packaging & compliant labelling (name, function, ingredients, origin, batch no., net quantity).
• Cover costs of testing and corrective actions in case of non-compliance.
• Provide required technical documents: trade license, test reports, product formula, free sale certificate (imports), GMP evidence, artwork, CoA, photos.

4. Certification and Marking

• Products must undergo conformity assessment (ECAS).
• Approved products receive a Certificate of Conformity.
• Eligible products may display the Emirates Quality Mark (EQM).

5. Market Surveillance and Enforcement

• Authorities may sample and test products at any stage.
• Non-compliant products may be withdrawn, recalled, or destroyed.
• Suppliers are fully responsible for costs and corrective actions.

6. Violations and Appeals

• Penalties include recall, destruction, or cancellation of certificates.
• Appeals allowed within 14 working days, with decisions issued within 25 working days.

7. Repeals and Implementation

• After cabinet decision is published in the official gazette, Cabinet Decisions No. 5 (2014 – Perfumes) and No. 18 (2014 – Cosmetics) will be repealed.
• As of right now, there is no update. However this cabinet decision will take effect the day after it is published in the Official Gazette.

Comment Period and Enforcement Dates

Stakeholders are invited to submit comment on this control scheme by 12 October 2025. Also as per the notification, adoption and enforcement dates are yet to be determined.