News Details

On 17 December 2025, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Member States (excluding Saudi Arabia), and Yemen notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft Gulf Technical Regulation prepared by the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) Technical Committee No. GSO/TC01. The regulation is titled ‘The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) in GSO Member Countries’ (GSO/TC01/FDS/GSO2654:2025).

This draft technical regulation establishes a harmonised framework for the classification and labelling of chemicals, in line with the tenth revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is excluded from the application of the draft, due to the existence of a national regulation that conflicts with its implementation as a Gulf technical regulation.

The notification initiates a 60-day comment period, ending on 15 February 2026. Dates for adoption and entry into force have not yet been determined.

Overview and Scope

The draft technical regulation establishes criteria for categorizing substances and mixtures based on their physical, environmental, and health hazards, and includes requirements for hazard communication, such as labelling and Safety Data Sheet (SDSs). The draft applies to all substances and mixtures supplied, used, and/or manufactured in GSO Member Countries, unless a GSO Member Country has more specific national rules on classification and labelling. The draft does not apply to the following substances:

• Radioactive substances and mixtures

• Non-isolated intermediates

• Substances and mixtures for scientific research and development

• Substances and mixtures packaged and prepared for individual or household consumption, such as cosmetics, detergents, air fresheners, pharmaceuticals for medical and veterinary use, and food products that may contain pesticide residues. However, these products may voluntarily be supplied with Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

 2024: Previous GCC Draft Standard

On 21 May 2024, a previous draft of  GSO Standard 2654 relating  to the implementation of the GHS was notified to the WTO. This draft was aligned with GHS Rev. 7. More details can be found here.

 Key Provision in the Draft

1. Safety Data Sheets: SDSs must be provided in English (and in Arabic, if available). Suppliers should update the SDS within 18 months whenever new information becomes available. If no significant information becomes available, the supplier should still review the SDS information at least every three years.

2. Labelling: Labels must be bilingual, i.e. in Arabic and English. A single label can provide information in both languages. Labels must be updated as soon as possible whenever new information becomes available.

3. Hazard Classification: Substances and mixtures are classified according to their physical, health and environmental hazards in line with the provisions of GHS Rev. 10.

4. International Alignment: The draft aligns with international standards, such as the EU Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation (i.e. the 9th Adaptation to Technical Progress (ATP) to CLP) and the GHS. This  facilitates global trade and improves the management of  chemical safety in the GCC region.

Target Audience

The draft identifies the following target audiences: consumers; workers; transport workers; and emergency responders using or supplying chemicals in, or to, GSO Member Countries. 

Comment Period and Enforcement Dates

Stakeholders may submit comments until 15 February 2026. The dates for adoption and entry into force are yet to be decided.