New Chemical Requirements for Toy Imports in Gulf States under GCC Technical Regulation

The GCC Technical Regulation on Children’s Toys, BD-131704-01, has been fully enforced since the chemical requirements came into effect on July 15, 2015.

From this date onwards, toys marketed, distributed and sold in the Gulf States are obliged to meet all requirements under this Regulation.

Are Your Toys Conforming to the GCC Chemical Requirements?

The GCC Technical Regulation BD-131704-01 has been in force since January 1, 2014 and was implemented in two phases. The second implementation phase was the chemical requirements. Since July 15, 2015, all toys manufactured in, or imported into a Gulf State (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Yemen) have been required to comply. All compliant toys must display the GCC conformity quality marking, the G-Mark.

Toy Chemical Requirements under GCC Technical Regulation

Since July 15, 2015, toys destined for any of the Gulf States must ensure that all products comply with the GCC Technical Regulation, including the use of chemicals such as:

- 19 soluble elements
- Allergenic fragrances
- CMR substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic)
- N-Nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances
- Phthalates

Toy Definition According to the GCC Technical Regulation

The GCC Technical Regulation defines toys as items “designed or intended, whether or not exclusively, for use in play by children under 14 years of age”. This means that aside from the exempted products listed below and in Technical Regulation BD-131704-01, all toys designed for children under 14 to use in play must comply. Exempted products include:

- Automatic playing machines, whether coin operated or not, intended for public use
- Playground equipment intended for public use
- Slings and catapults
- Toy steam engines
- Toy vehicles equipped with combustion engines

Main Requirements under GCC Technical Regulation

There are a number of essential safety parameters for toys falling within the scope of the Technical Regulation:

- General Product Safety Regulation (BD-091005-04)
- Physical and mechanical properties
- Flammability
- Chemicals
- Electrical, hygiene and radioactivity properties
- Safety assessment

Technical Documentation Required for Toy Imports

In addition to the above-listed safety requirements, each toy requires technical documentation. This establishes the applicable requirements, as well as the assessment, design, manufacture and operation of the toy. It should contain:

- A general description of the toy
- A detailed description, with conceptual design and manufacturing drawings, including list of components and materials e.g. bill of materials (BOM)
- Safety data sheets (SDS) for the chemicals used
- Safety assessments
- Test reports
- Declaration of conformity (DOC)

What Is the Gulf Conformity Mark or G-Mark?

The G-mark testifies compliance with the GCC-wide safety regulations for toys. On successful completion of the assessment and certification processes, toys must display the G-Mark on the toy itself or its packaging. It must be at least 5 mm high and must be in a clear, legible, permanent and inerasable format. Only toys demonstrating compliance to Technical Regulation BD-131704-01 qualify to display the G-Mark.

Toy Safety Warnings

The GCC standards are broadly in line with the requirements of the European Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC and EN 71 standards. However, all toys must display relevant warnings and instructions in Arabic.

Warnings that determine a purchasing decision, such as those specifying the minimum and maximum age for users, must appear on the packaging or otherwise be clearly visible to the consumer before purchase.

To ensure clarity for consumers, warnings must not conflict with a toy’s intended use.

Gulf Conformity Type Examination

This is the stage of the conformity assessment procedure in which the chosen Notified Body, as required, examines the technical design of a toy and verifies and attests that its technical design meets the requirements of the GCC Technical Regulation on Children’s Toys. On successful completion of the type examination, a toy will receive a GC Type Examination Certificate.

Obligations for Economic Operators

The GCC Regulation includes obligations for manufacturers, authorized representatives, importers who are linked to the manufacturer, importers who are unlinked to the manufacturer (e.g. trader), and distributors. An importer or distributor would be considered as a manufacturer if it places a toy on the market under its own name or trademark, or modifies a toy in a manner that complies with the applicable requirements.

About SGS Toy Safety Services

SGS laboratories in Dubai, Hong Kong and Shenzhen are accredited Notified Bodies under GCC Technical Regulation on Children’s Toys (BD-131704-1). The SGS expertise in compliance management will help clients make the right choices to access the GCC markets, while carrying out the necessary testing and certification quickly and professionally. The SGS experts can:

- Conduct conformity assessments.
- Conduct safety assessments (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Toys-and-Juvenile-Products/Toys/EU-Toy-Safety-Directive/Safety-Assessment.aspx) (physical & mechanical, chemical etc.) for technical documentation.
- Conduct GC-type examinations.
- Review labels and markings in Arabic.
- Assist to prepare Declarations of Conformity (DOCs).
- Issue Certificates of Conformity (COCs).

Independent and innovative, the company’s toy experts use state-of-the-art facilities and technology to deliver tailor-made added value services that help to improve all businesses.

For more details contact a local SGS representative or reach out to the global team.

Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services
HingWo Tsang
Global TJP Information and Innovation Manager
SGS Hong Kong Limited
1/F On Wui Centre
25 Lok Yip Road
Fanling, N.T., Hong Kong, China

t: +852 2774 7420
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sgs.com/toys
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.