Middle East Regulatory News

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 Cooper...

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 O...

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.

On 22 July 2025, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of changes to its Technical Regulation for Packaging. The update, circulated under G/TBT/N/SAU/1286/Add.1, conf...

On 22 July 2025, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of changes to its Technical Regulation for Packaging. The update, circulated under G/TBT/N/SAU/1286/Add.1, confirms that the provisions of the regulation have been aligned with the recently issued Product Safety Law. The notification includes the revised regulation and the updated list of standards.

Scope and General Requirements

The revised regulation sets out mandatory requirements for all packaging products placed on the Saudi market, whether manufactured locally or imported. It applies to packaging used for containing, protecting, handling, and presenting goods, with specific exclusions for packaging related to food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and medical devices, which are regulated under separate technical rules.

Key Regulatory Updates

Key updates include:

• Alignment with the Product Safety Law ensuring packaging meets safety, environmental, and consumer protection standards without discrimination between local and foreign products.
• Detailed compliance obligations for manufacturers, authorized representatives, importers, and distributors, including requirements for technical documentation, conformity assessment, labelling in Arabic, and product traceability.
• Enhanced basic requirements for design, materials, reusability, recycling, and the prohibition of hazardous substances, including limits on heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium.
• Clear conformity assessment procedures and recognition of both Saudi and internationally harmonized standards.
• A comprehensive list of 43 national, regional, and international standards, covering environmental optimization, material recycling, barcoding, accessible design, and packaging performance criteria.

Transition and Comments

Economic operators must ensure compliance within the transition period set by the regulation. Products failing to meet the requirements may be subject to withdrawal from the market, fines, or other enforcement measures.

The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) has invited WTO members and stakeholders to submit comments within 30 days from the notification date.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has submitted an addendum to the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding changes to its Technical Regulation on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and E...

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has submitted an addendum to the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding changes to its Technical Regulation on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The update, circulated under d G/TBT/N/SAU/1166/Corr.1/Add.1 on 23 July 2025, aligns the regulation with the country’s recently issued Product Safety Law. The WTO notification includes the revised regulatory text and the updated list of applicable standards.

Scope and Key Compliance Requirements

According to the WTO notification, the updated regulation strengthens the safety, health, and environmental compliance of electrical and electronic equipment placed on the Saudi market. It introduces clearer compliance obligations for manufacturers, importers, and distributors, including the preparation of technical documentation, Arabic-language safety instructions, and the application of mandatory conformity assessment procedures.

The regulation applies to a broad range of products, including household appliances, IT equipment, lighting devices, tools, toys, and monitoring instruments. Exemptions include medical devices, military equipment, and certain large-scale industrial machinery.

The technical limits for hazardous substances remain unchanged, setting maximum concentrations in homogeneous materials for:

• lead (0.1%)
• mercury (0.1%)
• cadmium (0.01%)
• hexavalent chromium (0.1%)
• polybrominated biphenyls (0.1%)
• polybrominated diphenyl ethers (0.1%)
• selected phthalates (0.1%)

Implementation, Enforcement and Consultation

Economic operators are required to maintain records, conduct risk assessments, ensure continued conformity of serial production, and cooperate with market surveillance authorities. Non-compliant products may be subject to recalls, withdrawal from the market, or other corrective measures.

The updated regulation and its associated list of standards are available via the WTO and SASO platforms. Interested stakeholders have 30 days from the date of notification to submit comments.

The Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO) has officially issued a new Technical Regulation for Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing, aligning national safety requirements w...

Update: In line with the timeline specified in the WTO notification, Jordan’s standard DJS 990:2024 has entered into force.  Mandatory GHS labelling for chemicals substances and mixtures apply from...

Update: In line with the timeline specified in the WTO notification, Jordan’s standard DJS 990:2024 has entered into force.  Mandatory GHS labelling for chemicals substances and mixtures apply from 1 June 2025. 

Original Text: 

On 2 October 2024, the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization (JSMO) notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft standard for the labelling of chemical substances. The second edition of the draft standard, DJS 990:2024, is expected to be adopted on 30 December 2024.  

Previously, Jordan had not formally adopted the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). However, this new standard mandates labelling in accordance with the provisions of the 8th revised edition of the UN GHS and the European CLP Regulation (EC 1272/2008). As a Middle Eastern country, this move marks a significant step towards Jordan’s full implementation of the GHS.  

Jordanian Technical Regulation 119/2022  

Earlier in 2022, the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization (JSMO) enacted Technical Regulation 119/2022, which outlines the specific requirements for labelling products that are sold or imported into Jordan.   

Scope of DJS 990:2024  

The DJS 990:2024 standard applies to all chemical substances and mixtures, excluding radioactive substances and mixtures, as well as veterinary medicinal products, food or feeding stuffs, cosmetic products, and medical devices.  

Insights from the New Labelling Standard  

As per the draft standard, DJS 990:2024, the label should be in both Arabic and English. The main elements that need to be included on the label are as listed below but more information can be found in standard here.  

• Country of origin and contents  

• Chemical identifier  

• Hazard and precautionary statements  

• Signal word  

• Hazard class and pictogram  

Label and Pictogram Dimensions  

The recommended dimensions for the label and pictogram, depending on the volume of the package are given in the table below.  

Comment Period and Enforcement Date  

The draft is currently open for comment. Stakeholders are invited to comment until 1 December 2024. The standard will come into force on 1 June 2025.   

On 16 April 2025, seven Gulf countries (United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen) submitted a joint addendum to the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding their dr...

On 16 April 2025, seven Gulf countries (United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen) submitted a joint addendum to the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding their draft Technical Regulation on maximum limits for pesticide residues in agricultural and food products.

Key Updates

• The update, coordinated by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) representing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), amends several Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in the Gulf Standard Organization’s (GSO) 2019 draft standard.

• The revised limits apply to a wide range of commodities, including fruits (e.g. apples, mangoes, and citrus), vegetables (e.g. cucumbers, tomatoes, and leafy greens), grains (e.g. barley, sorghum, and wheat), and animal products (e.g. meat, milk, and eggs).

• Notable affected pesticide substances include chlorpyrifos, fenpyroximate, imazalil, and metalaxyl, among others.

• The changes aim to align with updated scientific assessments and regional safety priorities.

Stakeholder Engagement

• WTO members and stakeholders have 60 days until 15 June 2025, to submit comments.

• The updated draft is accessible here.

• Comments should be directed to the SFDA.

This move reflects the GCC's continued effort to harmonize food safety regulations with international standards, considering regional consumption patterns and risk assessments.