The Gulf Standardization organization (GSO) recently issued a regulatory circular to all Notified Bodies, explicitly requiring verification of asbestos content in toys placed on the market of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and classifying it as a "National Deviation" to be incorporated into the conformity assessment process. This instruction applies to all future and currently valid relevant certifications.

Core requirement: Asbestos testing becomes a mandatory condition for toys to enter the Saudi market.

1. Classification of the requirement: The verification of the absence of asbestos in toys placed on the market of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia shall be treated as a National Deviation and incorporated accordingly into the conformity assessment process, the test plan, and the technical file.

2. Scope of application: The asbestos testing requirement applicable to the Saudi market shall be performed and evaluated for every certificate that includes the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia within its target country of certification, regardless of whether other GCC Member States are also covered by the same certificate, and regardless of the toy category concerned.

3. Evidence to be retained:

• A test report demonstrating the absence of asbestos, issued by a laboratory accredited for the applied test method, and covering the materials liable to contain asbestos (in particular sand-based, powder, clay, modelling and mineral-filled materials…. etc).

• Clear identification of the tested material(s), the sampling basis, the test method applied, and the detection limit.

• Traceability between the test report and the product references listed in the certificate scope.

4. Existing certificates: Notified Bodies are required to during the renewal or revised the certificates already issued and currently valid that include the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia within their scope and that cover products liable to contain asbestos, and to complete the missing evidence.

BACL Gulf Services and Introduction:

BACL is a globally renowned certification body for SASO and the GCC of the seven Gulf states. It is also an officially recognized SASO energy efficiency testing laboratory, providing testing services for SASO 2870, SASO 2902, and SASO 2927 standards. BACL has many years of experience in auditing and issuing certificates for Saber PCOC, SCOC, and GMARK, and can help you successfully obtain certificates for exporting goods to the seven Gulf states.

BACL Services:

BACL can provide you efficient and reliable global market certification services, such as IECEE CB Scheme NCB and CBTL, United States(NRTL, FCC, ENERGY STAR), Canada(ISED, SCC), EU(CE), United Kingdom (UKCA AB & AOC), Northern Ireland(UKNI), Korea(KC), Japan(MIC), Singapore(IMDA),China Hong Kong(OFCA), China Taiwan (NCC, BSMI), Egypt (NTRA, GOEIC), South Africa(SABS), Vietnam (MIC), Saudi Arabia (SASO, CITC), Philippines (NTC), Thailand (NBTC), Malaysia (SIRIM), India(BIS, WPC, TEC)and other services to assure your products still smoothly entering into the international trade market even when the international trade barriers are becoming increasingly fierce.