Two core standards govern digital broadcast device access in Bahrain: BH GSO 2693:2023 and Saudi SASO 2944. Though overlapping in technical requirements, they differ in regulatory mechanism, product scope and mandatory compliance path. This article clarifies their essential differences for market entry planning.
·BH: Bahrain national prefix for adopting GCC unified standards into local regulations.
·GSO: Gulf Cooperation Council Standardization Organization, covering Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. GSO harmonized standards apply uniformly across six member states.
·2693:2023: Bahrain adopted standard version number, technically identical to original GCC standard GSO 2693:2022, covering AM/FM/T-DAB+ terrestrial broadcast radio receivers.
Key point: BH GSO 2693:2023 fully adopts GSO 2693:2022 without local technical modification. It shares the same underlying technical requirements with Saudi SASO 2944 derived from the same GCC harmonized standard. Test data can be reused across Gulf countries if laboratories hold dual recognition qualifications.
2. Reason for Separate Standard Codes in Bahrain & Saudi Arabia
GSO releases regional harmonized standards to reduce trade barriers, while each member state implements independent conformity assessment and certificate management via local authorities:
·Bahrain: Adopts GSO 2693:2022 as BH GSO 2693:2023, administered by BSMD (Bahrain Standards & Metrology Directorate) under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
·Saudi Arabia: Incorporates the same GSO 2693:2022 into local standards as SASO 2944, regulated by SASO.
Same technical test items and limit values, independent certificate systems with no automatic mutual recognition of certificate numbers. Test reports can be conditionally reused, but certificates remain non-interoperable.
3. Core Differences Between BH GSO 2693:2023 & Saudi SASO 2944
·Issuing Authority: BH GSO 2693:2023 by Bahrain BSMD; SASO 2944 by Saudi SASO, fully independent certificate coding systems.
·Conditional Test Report Reuse: Same technical specifications allow report reuse if laboratories hold both BSMD and SASO recognition and cover local DAB frequency bands. Only test reports are reusable, not certificates.
For simultaneous entry into Bahrain and Saudi markets, select dual-qualified laboratories for one-time testing to avoid duplicate RF/EMC testing.
4. Basic Requirements for Bahrain BSMD Type Approval
·Technical Documents: Product specification sheet with RF parameters, schematic & key RF PCB drawings, antenna specification, and Arabic safety warning version for user manuals.
·Test Reports: RF test report per EN 303 186 covering Bahrain DAB frequency bands; EMC test report per CISPR/ETSI EMC standards issued by recognized laboratories.
·Label Requirements: Mandatory product marking on device body or packaging per latest BSMD guidelines.
·Certificate Validity: Confirm official validity and renewal rules directly with BSMD for latest updates.
For Bahrain BH GSO 2693:2023 certification, contact Blueasia technical consultant: 13534225140
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