Middle East · GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council bloc: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman)
What does it take to sell cosmetics in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council bloc: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman)? Entry route, responsibility, labeling
No bloc-level system: each member state runs its own pre-market notification/conformity s…; Responsible person: GSO 1943 requires the manufacturer or responsible person's …; Labeling: Arabic mandatory (Arabic-only or bilingual Arabic….
Latest change 2024-05-01 — GSO 1943:2024 (Edition 4) and GSO 2528:2024 on cosmetic claims approved, replacing GSO 1943:2021/2022. Source
Factory-side digest; the official text prevails; not legal advice.
- Authority
- GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) issues the Gulf Technical Regulation; national regulators (SFDA, MoIAT/municipalities, etc.) enforce it
- Main regulation
- GSO 1943:2024 (Edition 4, approved 2024-05-01); companions GSO 2528:2024 (claims), GSO 2636:2021 (PIF), GSO 2020:2010 (GMP) · GSO 1943:2024 Cosmetic Products – Safety Requirements of Cosmetics and Personal Care Products (Gulf Technical Regulation)
- In force
- 2009-10-17
- Market entry
- No bloc-level system: each member state runs its own pre-market notification/conformity scheme against GSO 1943 (SFDA GHAD/eCosma in KSA, MoIAT ECAS plus Dubai Montaji in UAE, etc.).
- Responsible person
- GSO 1943 requires the manufacturer or responsible person's name/address on the label, and in practice every member state requires a locally licensed importer/agent to notify products.
- Safety file
- Product Information File per GSO 2636:2021 with safety assessment, formula, test data and GMP (GSO 2020 / ISO 22716) evidence, available to authorities on request.
- Labeling
- Arabic mandatory (Arabic-only or bilingual Arabic/English) with INCI ingredients, batch, expiry/PAO, country of origin and manufacturer/RP; products must be free of pork derivatives and must not carry imagery contrary to Islamic/GCC values; halal certification voluntary.
- Animal testing
- No GCC-wide ban on animal testing of cosmetics identified.
- Ingredient lists
- GSO 1943 annexes of prohibited substances, restricted substances, permitted colorants, preservatives and UV filters, aligned to EU Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
- Notes
- GSO 1943 is adopted nationally (SFDA.CO/GSO 1943, UAE.S GSO 1943) and enforced by national authorities; consultancy claims of a 'unified GCC regulation 2026' cite no official GSO document, so no 2025-2026 bloc-level change is verified.
- Official text
- https://www.gso.org.sa/store/standards/GSO:871899/GSO%201943:2024?lang=en
FAQ
Does GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council bloc: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman) require notification or registration before sale?
No bloc-level system: each member state runs its own pre-market notification/conformity scheme against GSO 1943 (SFDA GHAD/eCosma in KSA, MoIAT ECAS plus Dubai Montaji in UAE, etc.).
Is a local responsible person mandatory in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council bloc: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman)?
GSO 1943 requires the manufacturer or responsible person's name/address on the label, and in practice every member state requires a locally licensed importer/agent to notify products.
What are the labeling requirements in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council bloc: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman)?
Arabic mandatory (Arabic-only or bilingual Arabic/English) with INCI ingredients, batch, expiry/PAO, country of origin and manufacturer/RP; products must be free of pork derivatives and must not carry imagery contrary to Islamic/GCC values; halal certification voluntary.
What changed recently in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council bloc: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman) cosmetic regulation?
2024-05-01 GSO 1943:2024 (Edition 4) and GSO 2528:2024 on cosmetic claims approved, replacing GSO 1943:2021/2022.
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