GCC Delegation Explores International Best Practices in Product Safety and Risk Assessment in London
A technical delegation comprising specialists from the Member States of the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) participated in an official visit to London, United Kingdom, from 26–30 January 2026. The visit reflects GSO’s commitment to enhancing the technical capabilities of its experts and strengthening knowledge exchange with leading international institutions.
The visit aimed to facilitate knowledge transfer, review successful international experiences, and exchange information on notifications of unsafe and non-compliant products, market surveillance mechanisms, and product risk management approaches. The delegation also gained first-hand insight into relevant laboratories and their role in supporting regulatory frameworks and product safety systems. This contributes to the development and harmonization of Gulf practices in line with international standards and best practices.
During the visit, the delegation participated in the international conference organized by the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), held in London under the theme “Regulation for Growth: Product Regulation in the Digital Age.” The conference attracted a broad range of experts and decision-makers, as well as senior representatives from regulatory and legislative authorities.
The conference addressed advanced topics related to product regulation in the digital era, including the role of regulation in supporting economic growth, managing risks associated with emerging technologies, and strengthening quality infrastructure to enhance trade in the digital environment. Discussions also covered governance and ethical considerations in regulatory oversight and the use of artificial intelligence, sustainability and circular economy principles, digitalization of standards to support international trade, and capacity building for inspectors and regulatory authorities to keep pace with digital transformation.
Additional sessions explored e-marketplace legislation, conformity assessment in the digital age, challenges related to smart devices, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cybersecurity, as well as issues of harmonization, digitalization, and metrology. The conference concluded with key messages emphasizing the implementation of change and enabling innovation through digital technologies and regulatory reforms.
As part of the GCC participation, Eng. Musaed Al-Mutairi, representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, presented a paper entitled “Using Electronic Platforms to Enhance Product Safety and Reporting of Unsafe Products.” The presentation highlighted the role of digital solutions and online platforms in strengthening product safety systems, improving risk reporting efficiency, and accelerating regulatory response in line with the rapid growth of digital markets and e-commerce.
The visit program also included specialized technical meetings with officials from OPSS and the UK Department for Business and Trade to discuss areas of cooperation, exchange expertise, and review the UK’s approach to consumer product risk assessment and the methodologies applied. Discussions also covered mechanisms for monitoring and recalling unsafe products, particularly on e-commerce platforms. These meetings provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives and present an overview of the GCC standardization system and the experiences of Member States.
In addition, the delegation conducted a field visit to OPSS laboratories in Teddington, where they reviewed the laboratories’ technical capabilities, operational procedures, and their role in supporting regulatory decisions and enhancing market product safety—reflecting GSO’s focus on linking theoretical knowledge with practical implementation.
The visit also included meetings with experts from the British Standards Institution (BSI), focusing on cooperation in standards development and the role of standards in strengthening conformity assessment and market surveillance systems. Discussions addressed the development of technical regulations based on risk monitoring and analysis, alignment with legislative requirements, and integration with accreditation and conformity assessment frameworks that support product safety. Best practices in supporting regulatory authorities, capacity building, and developing relevant guidance tools were also reviewed, contributing to enhanced technical cooperation and knowledge exchange between the two sides in support of Member States.
This visit forms part of GSO’s broader strategic direction to empower Gulf competencies, enhance market surveillance and product safety oversight systems, and align Gulf efforts with international best practices. It aims to raise compliance levels in markets and strengthen consumer protection, particularly in light of the rapid transformations driven by digital trade and the growing challenges associated with products and services offered through online platforms.
