The G Mark for Domestic Electric Heating Apparatus

The G Mark is a conformity mark for product categories specified by the Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO). The priority for applying the G Mark is for low voltage products shipped for sale in the markets of the Gulf Coordinating Council (GCC) states.

The G Mark is evidence that the product complies with Gulf standards, technical regulations, and the norms for quality and safety.

There are 13 categories of products that fall under the G Mark scope of low voltage electrical equipment and household appliances and receive the mark in order to be allowed to enter Gulf Cooperation Council states and to be displayed in marketplaces.

The Gulf Technical Regulation for Low Voltage Electrical Equipment and Appliances defines the G Mark scope in detail, and the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) also provides technical guides.

Manufacturers and importers seeking the G Mark may find the scope perplexing, which might result in following the wrong steps and experiencing delays or rejections with shipments. 

In this article, we will detail the included and excluded products from category 7: domestic electric heating apparatus

The G Mark scope of Domestic Electric Heating Apparatus 

The GSO defined the products within the domestic electric heating apparatus category that are mandatory to obtain the G Mark, and the other products that don’t require it.

The included and excluded products are as follows:

Included products

• Fan heaters
• Liquid-filled radiators
• Radiant heaters
• Panel heaters
• Convector heaters
• Tubular heaters
• Heaters for use in greenhouses, only for domestic use
• Ceiling-mounted heat lamp appliances
• Electric space heaters

Excluded products

• Cab heaters 
• Heaters intended for the heating of caravans
• Heaters for use in greenhouses, other than those for domestic use
• Blankets, pads, clothing, and similar flexible heating appliances
• Foot warmers and heating mats
• Heating appliances for breeding and rearing animals
• Flexible sheet heating elements for room heating 
• Heated carpets
• Thermal storage room heaters
• Heaters for saunas
• Electric incense burners
• Electrically heated towel rails
• Appliances where heat is generated by other means than electricity (e.g., gas, kerosene burners), also those with electrical connections
• Heaters built into air-conditioners
• Central heating systems
• Heating cables
• Appliances intended exclusively for industrial purposes

Applicable standards

There are a number of standards relevant to the products within category 7 as follows:

Electrical safety

• IEC 60335- 1: general requirements
• IEC 60335- 2: requirements for room heaters

Electromagnetic computability

• CISPR 14- 1
• CISPR 14- 2
• IEC 61000-3- 2
• IEC 61000-3- 3
• IEC 61000-3- 11: equipment rated > 16 A
• IEC 61000-3- 12: equipment rated > 16 A

Why is the G Mark important?

• The G Mark allows low voltage equipment and devices to move freely across GCC member states and maintain the creation of a single market.
• The G Mark serves as evidence that products abide by all applicable technical criteria.
• Standardizes the conformity assessment and certification procedures among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations.
• Removing all technological obstacles and guaranteeing unrestricted competitiveness.
• Specifies the duties and responsibilities of importers and manufacturers towards the product conformity process.
• Lowers the price of market surveillance and customs clearance.
• As a passport to the GCC states, it provides access to enormous markets.