With the rapid growth of the consumption of non-conforming electrical appliances in the Gulf region has come an increase in accidents and electrical fires.

Badly insulated oven doors in low-quality products burn many innocent hands. Inferior quality material used in switches, socket outlets, fuses and appliances may cause fires in buildings that can cost billions of dollars to local economies, and endanger the lives of millions.

In the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region, an estimated 30 % of building fires are caused by short circuits, faulty wiring and non-conforming electrical products. Part of the problem is the absence of third party conformity assessment. Use of IEC International Standards in third party conformity assessment increases the safety and health of local populations and encourages the development of manufacturing in GCC.

The event was opened by the Minister of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain, H.E. Mr. Hassan Abdulla Fakhro. It was co-organized by the IECEE, the System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components of the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain and GSO, the GCC Standardization Organization.

The event brought together key players from manufacturing, testing laboratories and government bodies from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It looked at the safety of household appliances, electrical appliances and buildings, as well as the role of conformity assessment in improving the quality and performance of electrotechnical products and systems in these countries.

One of the aims of the conference is to provide the Gulf region with the tools to play a key role in both the development of IEC International Standards and the participation in the IECEE.

The Gulf region is today the third most important trading platform for electrical and electronic goods globally. For a region that increasingly cooperates economically, the use of IEC International Standards and the participation in the IECEE Conformity Assessment System is vital for its industrial development. It will result in increased efficiency and economies of scale in manufacturing and the reduction of trade barriers.