Entering Bahrain DAB market, enterprises are often confused by version codes and institutional divisions: BH GSO 2693:2023 definition, connection with Saudi SASO 2944, BSMD & TRA division of responsibilities, and cross-Gulf test report reusability. This article sorts out confirmed key official updates for 2026.

1. Core Definition of BH GSO 2693:2023

BH GSO 2693:2023 is the official Bahrain market access standard for DAB devices issued by BSMD (Bahrain Standards & Metrology Directorate), with official internal code BSMD:803170.Adopted as Adoption Without Modification, fully consistent with GCC regional standard GSO 2693:2022 without local technical revisions. Officially released in April 2023, covering AM/FM/T-DAB+ terrestrial broadcast receivers including home radios, portable receivers, integrated car infotainment and aftermarket car devices.Products supporting multiple broadcast modes need full test coverage of all functions; single T-DAB+ devices follow targeted testing requirements per latest BSMD rules.

  2. Institutional Division: BSMD vs TRA

·BSMD: Maintains and releases Bahrain national standards, issues BH GSO 2693:2023 standard code, responsible for standard system management only, no approval or certification issuance authority.

·TRA (Telecommunications Regulatory Authority): The actual competent authority for radio device market access, governing DAB receiver type approval and pre-import compliance certification in Bahrain.

  3. Relationship with Saudi SASO 2944

Both Bahrain BH GSO 2693:2023 and Saudi SASO 2944 equivalently adopt GSO 2693:2022 with identical underlying technical requirements, referencing the same ETSI EN 300 401/EN 303 186 standards.Critical distinction: Certificates are non-interoperable (Saudi certificate only for Saudi, Bahrain certificate only for Bahrain). Test reports are reusable only if issuing laboratories are separately listed on both Bahrain TRA and Saudi SASO recognized white lists. Saudi recognized labs are not automatically accepted by Bahrain.

  4. 2026 Recommended Bahrain Certification Path

·Existing EN 303 186 RF reports: Verify laboratory TRA recognition qualification and Bahrain DAB frequency band coverage; qualified reports can be directly submitted for conformity assessment to reduce re-testing.

·No prior testing: Select laboratories with dual Bahrain & Saudi recognition for one-time testing, generating reports applicable to both markets to save cost and cycle.

·Car DAB devices: Confirm laboratory qualification coverage in early certification planning to avoid supplementary testing due to standard incompatibility.Track TRA official announcements continuously for real-time updates on Bahrain DAB certification rules.

For Bahrain BH GSO 2693:2023 certification, contact Blueasia technical consultant: 13534225140