Electronic Nicotine Products
GSO Certificate of Conformity for Cigarette and Cigar Products
This service enables manufacturers, importers, and distributors of Electronic Nicotine Products (ENPs) — including e-cigarettes, vape devices, and refill liquids — to obtain the required Certificate of Conformity (CoC) in accordance with GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) standards and national regulatory frameworks. The certification ensures that ENPs comply with established requirements for health, safety, product performance, packaging, and labeling before being imported, distributed, or marketed within GCC member states.
The CoC serves as a mandatory approval document for customs clearance and market authorization, confirming that electronic nicotine products undergo comprehensive conformity assessment prior to approval. Applicants are required to provide supporting documentation, including laboratory test reports, ingredient and nicotine concentration disclosures, battery and device safety certifications, as well as packaging and health warning label specifications. Certification guarantees compliance with GCC regulations, safeguards consumer health, and facilitates lawful and responsible trade in electronic nicotine products across the region.
Certificate Types:
- Conformity form for electronic nicotine product devices with the Bahraini technical regulations for electronic nicotine products (analogues of conventional tobacco products)BH 2:2021
- Conformity form for electronic nicotine product liquid-integrated devices for the Bahraini technical regulation for electronic nicotine products
- Conformity form for e-liquids of nicotine products according to the Bahraini technical regulations for e-nicotine products (Conventional Tobacco Products Analogues) BH 2:2021
- Conformity form for heated tobacco coils ccording to the Bahraini technical regulations for electronic nicotine products Conventional Tobacco Products Analogues BH 2:2021
- Packing the product in packaging that does not absorb or interact with its components and prevents moisture loss, while packing the packaging in tightly sealed outer containers.
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Writing the following data on the packages directly in a way that is difficult to remove
- The number of cigars.
- The net weight when packing.
- The name of the product and the variety and its brand.
- Batch number.
- The country of origin.
- The phrase 'for sale in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries'.
- The percentage of nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide, provided that it does not exceed the permissible borders (in Arabic and English).
- Healthy warning of tobacco damage and its products (in Arabic and English).
- Not to use any names, symbols, signs or images that violate public order.
- Not to describe the product with data that may lead to a false impression regarding its qualities or that it is less harmful.
- Write the warning text in black on a white background, with a size of no less than 12 Bold and in Simplified Arabic & Times New Roman style.
- The health warning area is not less than 50% of the basic display area on the bottom of the front and rear facades.
- The area of the written warning does not exceed 40% of the total area of the warning, and it is written in Arabic on the front and in English on the back and on the bottom of the package.
- The health warning images are identical to the images attached to regulation GSO 246/2011.
- The health warning is surrounded by a black frame 1 mm thick.
* Artwork must comply with GSO regulations.
Required Documents and Compliance:
- Attach a valid commercial registration certificate and a health certificate for the importer that includes tobacco trade activity.
- The factory’s commitment to the requirements of ISO quality systems (9001 GSO ISO) while providing a valid ISO 9001 certificate for the facility (factory).
- Attach a copy of the information label and warnings on the product (front and back of the package)."Artwork"
- An acknowledgment from the manufacturer stating that the product conforms to the national technical regulations for “electronic nicotine products (analogues of traditional tobacco products)” in accordance with Ministerial Resolution No. 121 of 2021
- A declaration from the manufacturer stating that the product conforms to the child-resistant packaging standard GSO ISO 8317
- Attaching a pledge from the importer to maintain documented records showing the locations of distribution of the products that are authorized to be released in the market for all consignments
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A valid inspection certificate from an accredited laboratory according to GSO ISO 17025 for the following components
- Nicotine concentration
- Caffeine
- Taurine
- Colorings (if their presence is declared on the list of ingredients included in the composition of the product)
- Ethylene glycol
- Diethyl glycol
- Formaldehyde
- Acetone
- Heavy metal residues: lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, nickel, iron, arsenic and tin.
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An acknowledgment from the manufacturer stating the following:
- Do not add any of the prohibited substances mentioned in the list
- The validity period mentioned on the product label is correct.
- Attach an approved test report in accordance with GSO IEC 60335-1 for household and similar electrical appliances - General safety requirements
- Attach a certified test report according to GSO IEC 60335-2-29. Regarding household and similar electrical appliances - special requirements for battery chargers (if a charger is included with the appliance)
- Attach a test report for the batteries used in accordance with GSO IEC 60086-4, GSO IEC 62133 -1 and GSO IEC 62133 -2
- A copy of the user guide in Arabic and English
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Manufacturer’s declaration stating the following:
- No addition of any prohibited substances listed in the regulation.
- Accuracy of the shelf life stated on the product’s specification label.
- Details of the ingredients used and their quantities in the product, listed in descending order by weight, including the commercial name, type, and relevant quantities, accompanied by a statement explaining the reason for including these ingredients.
- Level of emissions generated and any other emissions.
Target group
Importers and distributors of tobacco and nicotine products subject to health and customs surveillance
Time Required
5 Working days
Fees
Free
Participating parties
- Ministry of Health – The Anti-Smoking & Tobacco Group
- Ministry of Interior – Customs Affairs (National Bureau for Revenue – oversees customs fees and excise duties).
- Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Tourism
- Ministry of interior – General Directorate of Traffic.
Legal tools
- Law No. 8 of 2009 on combating smoking and all forms of tobacco governs the control and regulation of tobacco product imports, including conformity requirements.
- GSO 246/2011 — GCC-wide technical regulation for tobacco labeling.
- BH 2:2021 — Bahraini regulation for electronic nicotine products, effective from November 11, 2021 (enforced from May 12, 2022)
