In this sub-portal, you may find information about the Organizations that are responsible for the Standardization in the EU and the GCC region. Updates of the related information will be provided at a regular basis.
CENELEC – European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
CENELEC is the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization and is responsible for standardization in the electrotechnical engineering field. CENELEC prepares voluntary standards, which help facilitate trade between countries, create new markets, cut compliance costs and support the development of a Single European Market.
Designated as a European Standards Organization by the European Commission, CENELEC is a non-profit technical organization set up under Belgian law. It was created in 1973 as a result of the merger of two previous European organizations: CENELCOM and CENEL.
CENELEC creates market access at European level but also at international level, adopting international standards wherever possible, through its close collaboration with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), under the Frankfurt Agreement.
CENELEC focuses, among others, on the following Technology Sectors related to clean energy:
More information on the CENELEC may be found here.
CEN - European Committee for Standardization
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is an association that brings together the National Standardization Bodies of 34 European countries.
CEN is one of three European Standardization Organizations (together with CENELEC and ETSI) that have been officially recognized by the European Union and by the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as being responsible for developing and defining voluntary standards at European level.
CEN provides a platform for the development of European Standards and other technical documents in relation to various kinds of products, materials, services and processes.
More information on the CEN and the related Standards may be found here and here.
Information for both organizations are available online at the CEN-CENELEC website.
Regional GCC Standardization Organization
GSO – Gulf Standardization Organization
The GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) is a standards organization for the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council. It was established under the authority of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
GSO had formed a number of technical committees for the preparation of standards and technical regulations covering various sectors and include representatives nominated by NSB's of the member States, The number of technical committees of different sectors are (10) technical committees so far covering head industrial and economic vitality sectors in the GCC States.
A set of sub-committees have been formed to respond to the requirements for the issuance of successive standards in specialized areas. For more information about technical committees / sub committees can be accessed at the following link: Technical Committees.
More information on the GSO and the related Standards may be found here and here.
National GCC Standardization Organizations
Bahrain: BSMD -Bahrain Standards and Metrology Directorate
Standards and Metrology Directorate (BSMD) is the recognized national Standards Body of Bahrain under provision of Legislative Decree No. 16 of 1985, with respect to standards and metrology.
The Directorate functions under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and is governed by a National Committee for Standards & Metrology that is chaired by the Minister of and comprised of representatives of governmental authorities, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry and independent technical experts.
BSMD prepares, revises, amends and publishes the approved Bahraini Technical Regulations and conformity assessments to meet the national requirements for human health, safety and environment protection in line with the international practices in this role.
BSMD also prepares, revises, amends and publishes the approved Bahraini national standards to meet international demands for quality, design, performance, safety and environmental impact of products and services. It also accepts and adopts, as appropriate the technical regulations, standards, guides, recommendations of other foreign countries and of regional (Gulf and Arab States) and international organizations.
BSMD function span all other standardization activities namely Standards Development, Quality, Metrology and Standards Information services.
More information on the BSMD may be found here.
Kuwait: KOWSMD – Public Authority for Industry Standards and Industrial Services Affairs
Standardization activities in Kuwait began in 1967, within a unit of the Ministry of commerce & Industry which became a Department after the law no. 128 for standardization was issued in 1977. The Department was transferred to the Public Authority for Industry in 1996 and became a sector for Standards and Industrial services including two Departments, one for standards & Metrology and the other for quality laboratories.
This sector represents Kuwait in regional and international organizations such as ISO, OIML, CAC, the Arab Organization for Industrial Development and Mines (AIDMO) and the Standardization and Metrology Organization for the GCC countries (GSMO).
The Sector has the following objectives: to achieve the goals of Standardization by issuing and publishing standards and publications related to standardization, as well as developing and approving national standards; and examining and testing imported products to make sure that they meet Kuwaiti standards; issuing certificates for exported goods; granting the Quality mark for national products; examining and testing samples for the public and private sectors and for individuals.
More information on the KOWSMD are available here.
Oman: DGSM - Directorate General for Specifications and Measurements
The Directorate General for Specifications and Measurements (DGSM), within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is the National Standards Body in Oman. It was established by Royal Decree No. 39/76 issued on 20 October 1976, and its duties and functions were defined by Royal Decree No. 1/78 issued on 3 January 1978.
DGSM is responsible for the following activities:
More information on the DGSM may be found here.
Qatar: QS – Qatar Standards
Laboratories and Standardization Affairs (QS) is the national standards body in Qatar. It was established in 2002 and is currently affiliated to the Ministry of Environment. The core functions of QS include the following activities:
QS comprises three departments:
Information regarding the QS may be found here.
Saudi Arabia: SASO – Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization
The vision of SASO is to act as a scientific reference body in the fields of standardization and conformity assessment in the region. Its mission incorporates the elevation of the standards and the quality of products and services, to protect the consumer and to strengthen the competitiveness of the national economy.
SASO issues Saudi standards in the following fields:
More information on the SASO and the related Standards may be found here and here.
UAE: ESMA - Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology
ESMA was established as the sole standardization body in the UAE under the Law No. 28/2001. The board of directors chaired by H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, the Minister of State in the UAE is comprising representatives of the main parties involved in the standardization of the UAE. The board is the dominant affairs and lay down its policy and adopting all the suitable procedures to ensure efficient performance to its assignments.
ESMA tasks include:
Additional information on the ESMA may be found here.
