Market Entry Brief
Battery-operated toy car
into Saudi Arabia
- Product
- Toy car with lights and sound, 3 × AA batteries, ABS plastic body, soft PVC tyres. Not remote-controlled. Ages 3+.
- Origin
- Manufactured in Shantou, China
- Channel
- Sold to Saudi consumers through Amazon.sa via a Saudi importer
- Verified
- Every statement checked against primary sources on 2 October 2026 (see labels)
How to read the labels:
Regulation text of the GCC toys regulation BD-131704-01 ·
GSO GSO's official list, register or guidance ·
Reported consistent secondary sources (testing firms, trade bodies), no official text found ·
Expert-reviewed our assessment for this product, reviewed by our editor from testing and certification experience
The short answer
- Yes, it is regulated under the GCC Technical Regulation on Children Toys (BD-131704-01), applied in Saudi Arabia. Regulation
- Route in practice: safety assessment and technical file → tests → G-Mark with QR code (GCTS) → product certificate on SABER, started by the Saudi importer → a shipment certificate for every consignment. Reported Expert-reviewed
- Tests needed: mechanical and physical (including sound levels), flammability, migration of elements, electric toy safety, and phthalates and PAHs in the soft tyres. That's 6 test areas, not the 47 standards on GSO's list. Expert-reviewed
- Reusing EU reports: GSO's guidance says test reports must come from an accredited in-house laboratory or a GSO notified body. EN 71 reports from a lab that is also on GSO's register are the most likely to be reusable. GSO
- Watch the dates: the 2018 edition of EN 71-1 is accepted only until 28 January 2028, and several other editions expire in 2027 (section 5). GSO
1Does the regulation apply?
Yes. BD-131704-01 covers products "designed or intended, whether or not exclusively, for use in play by children under 14 years of age" (Article 1). A toy car for ages 3+ is squarely in scope. Electric toys may not run on more than 24 V; 3 × AA (4.5 V) is well within that (Annex II, Part IV). Regulation
| Regulation | GCC Technical Regulation on Children Toys, BD-131704-01 (Issue No. 2, 8 May 2013) Official source |
|---|---|
| Issued by / applied by | GSO (Gulf Standardization Organization) / SASO in Saudi Arabia |
| Essential requirements | Physical and mechanical, flammability, chemical, electrical, hygiene and radioactivity |
| How compliance is shown | Meeting the harmonized standards GSO lists for the regulation gives a presumption of conformity |
2The route to market
What the regulation says. The manufacturer must carry out a safety assessment covering chemical, physical, mechanical, electrical, flammability, hygiene and radioactivity hazards (Article 17), and keep a technical file for 10 years (Articles 4 and 20). Where the toy fully meets the listed Gulf standards, the manufacturer declares conformity on the strength of test reports. A notified body's type examination is required where the standards are not fully applied (Annex IV). Regulation GSO's guidance adds that test reports must come from an accredited in-house laboratory or a notified body. GSO
What happens in Saudi practice:
- Safety assessment, technical file and testsIncluding safety data sheets for the materials used (Annex IV). See section 3 for the tests.Manufacturer or exporter. Regulation
- G-Mark with QR code (GCTS)Toys must carry the GSO Conformity Tracking Symbol (the G-Mark plus a QR code) for a Saudi certificate to be issued. The certificate comes from a body on GSO's register. The mark must be at least 5 mm high, on the toy or its data plate, and on the packaging only where marking the toy is technically impossible.Manufacturer, with a notified body. Reported (Intertek, QIMA) and Expert-reviewed · placement rules GSO
- Register the product on SABERSASO's online platform. The Saudi importer starts the certification request by registering the product. This gives the Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC).Saudi importer. Reported (US International Trade Administration, trade.gov)
- Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) for each consignmentRequired before customs clearance.Saudi importer, on SABER. Reported
Check both lists: SABER certificates are issued by bodies on SASO's own list of accepted certification bodies, which is separate from GSO's G-Mark register. Confirm the body you choose covers toys on both. GSO register · SASO list
3Tests that apply to this toy
For each requirement, pick one standards family: European (EN), international (ISO/IEC) or US (ASTM F963). GSO lists all three for this regulation, and toys that meet the listed standards are presumed to conform (Article 13). GSO Regulation
| Requirement | Standard options on GSO's list | Why it applies | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical & physical, including sound | EN 71-1 · ISO 8124-1 · ASTM F963 | Every toy: small parts, edges and points, wheels and axles, battery compartment. The toy makes sound, and the regulation sets noise limits. | Regulation |
| Flammability | EN 71-2 · ISO 8124-2 | Every toy | Regulation |
| Migration of certain elements | EN 71-3 · ISO 8124-3 | Limits apply to toy materials unless accessibility, function, volume or mass clearly exclude sucking, licking, swallowing or prolonged skin contact | Regulation |
| Electric toy safety | IEC 62115 / EN IEC 62115 | The standard covers toys with at least one function that depends on electricity (lights and sound here) | GSO list · CEN-CENELEC scope |
| Phthalates DEHP, DBP, BBP | ISO 8124-6 · REACH items 51/52 | The regulation limits these to 0.1% of the plastic in all toys (Annex II Part III point 12, Appendix 7-a). The soft PVC tyres are the risk. | Regulation |
| PAHs | REACH Annex XVII item 50 | Limit 0.5 mg/kg in a toy's rubber or plastic parts in direct and prolonged or repeated contact with the skin (entry 50, para. 6). Tyres and body are handled. | GSO list · EU text |
Also applies, usually shown through supplier documents rather than a test: no CMR substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction) in accessible parts above the regulation's limits (Annex II Part III points 2–3), backed by the materials' safety data sheets. Regulation
4What you can skip
GSO's list for toys has 47 entries. Most cover other kinds of toys or materials and do not apply to this car.
| On GSO's list | Covers | This car | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| EN 71-4 · ISO 8124-10 | Chemistry experiment sets | Skip | GSO title |
| EN 71-5 · ISO 8124-11 | Other chemical toy sets | Skip | GSO title |
| EN 71-7 · ISO 8124-7 | Finger paints | Skip | GSO title |
| EN 71-8 · ISO 8124-4 | Activity toys (swings, slides) | Skip | GSO title |
| EN 71-12 | N-nitrosamines: banned only in toys for under-3s or toys meant for the mouth | Skip (ages 3+) | Regulation Annex II III.6 |
| EN 71-13 · GSO 1943 | Olfactory games, cosmetic and gustative kits | Skip | Regulation Annex II III.8, III.10 |
| EN 71-14 | Trampolines | Skip | GSO title |
| Phthalates DINP, DIDP, DNOP | Only toys that can be placed in the mouth | Skip (unless mouthable) | Regulation Appendix 7-b |
| BPA · TCEP/TCPP/TDCP | Specific limits for toys for under-3s or toys meant for the mouth | Skip (ages 3+) | Regulation Appendix 5 scope |
| Formamide | Foam toy materials | Skip (no foam) | EU text (2015/2115) |
| ISO 14362-1 · ISO 17234-2 | Azo dyes in textile and leather parts | Skip (no textile or leather) | GSO title |
| Protocol No 2 | Microbiological safety of toys containing liquids | Skip | GSO title |
| SASO Circular 247 (supplier name and CR number on the product, from 1 Oct 2026) | Ten listed technical regulations, such as strollers, child seats and e-scooters | Toys not listed | Reported (Global Validity, HQTS, UL) |
Note: even without Circular 247, the toys regulation already requires the importer's name and address on the toy or packaging (Article 6(5)). Regulation
The saving: use one standards family, not three, and only the 6 test areas above. If you already hold EN 71-1, -2 and -3 and EN IEC 62115 reports, ask the notified body in writing whether it accepts them. GSO's guidance expects reports from an accredited in-house laboratory or a notified body, so reports from a lab that is itself on GSO's register are the strongest candidates. GSO
5Edition deadlines to plan for
When GSO lists a newer edition, the older one stays acceptable until a set date. After that, reports on the old edition may no longer be accepted. GSO
| Older edition (still accepted) | Accepted until | Newer edition listed |
|---|---|---|
| EN 71-2:2020 | 11 Jun 2027 | EN 71-2:2020+A1:2025 |
| EN 71-3:2019+A1:2021 | 16 Jun 2027 | EN 71-3:2019+A2:2024 |
| EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018 | 28 Jan 2028 | EN 71-1:2026 |
Source: GSO's harmonized standards feed for BD-131704-01, read 2 October 2026 (dates in Saudi time). ISO 8124 and IEC 62115 editions also have transition dates; confirm them on GSO's list before booking tests.
6Labelling and documents
| Item | Requirement | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Warnings | In Arabic, clearly visible, legible and accurate, on the toy, an affixed label or the packaging, and preceded by the word "Warning" or "Warnings" (Article 11(4)–(5)). | Regulation |
| Before purchase, including online | Warnings that affect the decision to buy, such as minimum and maximum age, must be visible before purchase, including when the toy is bought online (Article 11(6)). That covers the Amazon.sa listing. | Regulation |
| Instructions | Instructions and safety information in Arabic (Articles 4(9) and 6(6)). | Regulation |
| Manufacturer identification | Type, batch, serial or model number, plus the manufacturer's name and contact address, on the toy, or on the packaging or an accompanying document if that's not possible (Article 4(7)–(8)). | Regulation |
| Importer identification | The importer's name, registered trade name or trade mark and contact address, on the toy or, if that's not possible, the packaging or an accompanying document (Article 6(5)). | Regulation |
| Technical documentation | In Arabic. English may be submitted with the national authority's approval (Article 20(3)). | Regulation |
| G-Mark | At least 5 mm high, visible, legible and indelible, on the toy or its data plate (packaging only if technically impossible). In Saudi Arabia, with the QR code (GCTS). | GSO guidance · QR Reported |
7Who can certify it
GSO's register lists 27 notified bodies for children's toys. At least 14 name a mainland China or Hong Kong location in their registered name (Shenzhen, Foshan, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Hong Kong), which is convenient for a Shantou factory. GSO They are listed alphabetically from the public register; inclusion is not a recommendation.
- Bay Area Compliance Laboratories (Shenzhen)
- BQC Certification (Foshan)
- Centre Innovation International Inspection & Certification (Shenzhen)
- China Quality Certification Centre
- Cotecna CPS Middle East
- DQC – Done Quality Certification
- Fahes Trading Company
- GCC Lab Conformity Assessment Company (GCA)
- Geo Chem Independent Quality Certification Services
- Global Technical Certification
- Intertek Testing Services Hong Kong
- MOTABAQAH Certification (Foshan)
- Nemko Korea
- Pioneer Testing Technology (Hangzhou)
- QIMA Limited
- RACS Quality Certificates Issuing Services
- Raqabah for Inspection, Testing and Certification (RITC)
- Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO)
- SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services (Shenzhen)
- SGS Hong Kong
- Shenzhen Toby Technology
- TÜV Austria (Shanghai branch)
- TÜV Rheinland Hong Kong
- TÜV Rheinland Middle East
- TÜV SÜD Hong Kong
- Turkish Standards Institution (TSE)
- UL VS Hong Kong
8Open points to confirm before you book
- Existing reports: will your chosen notified body accept your current EN 71 / IEC 62115 reports, and from which labs?
- Remote-controlled versions: a radio-controlled model may also need radio type approval from Saudi Arabia's Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST). That is outside this brief. Reported
- Electrical and electronic equipment rules: check with the certification body whether Saudi Arabia's RoHS technical regulation is applied to this electric toy.
- Fees and lead times: get written quotes from two or three notified bodies. Costs vary by body and by how many test reports can be reused.
9Sources (all checked 2 October 2026)
- GCC Technical Regulation on Children Toys, BD-131704-01, Issue 2 (official text hosted by SASO): saso.gov.sa
- GSO Guidance document for the GCC Technical Regulation on Children Toys, Issue 1, 30 Dec 2015 (hosted by SASO): saso.gov.sa
- GSO harmonized standards list for BD-131704-01: gso.org.sa
- GSO register of notified bodies, children's toys: gso.org.sa
- SASO list of accepted certification bodies (SABER): saso.gov.sa
- US International Trade Administration, Saudi Arabia testing, inspection and certification (importer registers on SABER): trade.gov
- GCTS (G-Mark plus QR code) for toys in Saudi Arabia, as reported by Intertek and QIMA Reported
- EU REACH Annex XVII entry 50 (PAHs), Regulation (EU) No 1272/2013: eur-lex.europa.eu; formamide, Directive (EU) 2015/2115: eur-lex.europa.eu
- EN IEC 62115 scope: cencenelec.eu
- SASO Circular No. 247 (supplier name and CR number), as reported by Global Validity, HQTS and UL Reported
Need this for your own product and market?
A MutabiqAlerts Market Entry Brief covers one product in one Arab market: the regulation, conformity route, tests that apply and the ones you can skip, labelling and language rules, and deadlines. Contact [email protected].
Sample brief prepared by MutabiqAlerts for an illustrative product. Verified against the sources above on 2 October 2026. Regulatory information only, not legal advice; requirements change, so verify with the notified body and SASO before acting. MutabiqAlerts is an independent information service: not a laboratory, certification body or notified body, and not affiliated with GSO, SASO or any government body. Standards are copyrighted by their publishers and are referenced here by number and title only.