GCC Standardization Organization and IEC Sign Agreement to Strengthen Collaboration on International Standards
Edinburgh, October 25, 2024 — The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Standardization Organization (GSO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) have formalized a new collaboration through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and a regional adoption agreement, signed on the sidelines of the IEC General Meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland. This strategic partnership aims to bolster cooperation in technical information exchange, capacity building, and sharing expertise.
Under the MoU, the two organizations will work closely to adopt international electrotechnical standards, offer private conformity assessment services, and facilitate greater participation from GSO member state experts in IEC’s global activities. The regional adoption agreement grants GSO member states streamlined access to IEC’s comprehensive library of international standards, aligning with GSO's broader goal to promote international standardization and trade facilitation across the Gulf.
Already, GSO has adopted nearly 6,000 IEC standards, which accounts for about 20% of its Gulf standards. This commitment to IEC alignment strengthens trade compatibility and adheres to World Trade Organization (WTO) practices, supporting the GSO’s strategic objectives of international alignment and standards adoption.
