Kuwait IEC 62368-1 Safety Regulation: Comments by 6 Dec
Kuwait IEC 62368-1 Safety Regulation: PAI Notifies Draft Rules for AV and ICT Equipment to the WTO
Kuwait IEC 62368-1 safety regulation is moving forward. On 7 October 2026, the World Trade Organization circulated notification G/TBT/N/KWT/783 from Kuwait's Public Authority for Industry (PAI). It covers a draft titled "Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment, Part 1: Safety requirements", and stakeholders can comment until 6 December 2026.
Background
IEC 62368-1 is the international hazard-based safety standard for audio/video, IT and communication technology equipment. It replaced the older split between standards for AV and IT products, and it's already the reference in many markets. In the Gulf, the GCC Standardization Organization publishes it as GSO IEC 62368-1:2024, which Kuwait lists as a relevant document in its notification.
PAI's Standard and Metrology Department (KOWSMD) is the responsible agency. Kuwait notified the draft under Article 2.9.2 of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, the provision used for proposed technical regulations. That points to a mandatory requirement once the text is adopted.
Key Changes in the Kuwait IEC 62368-1 Safety Regulation
What the draft covers
The notification says the rules apply to "all products" within the scope of the AV and ICT equipment safety standard. It doesn't list HS codes, so scope follows the standard itself. That typically means products such as computers, monitors, TVs, audio equipment, routers and power adapters for this equipment, but manufacturers should confirm against the final text.
How the standard works
According to the notification, the standard classifies energy sources, sets out safeguards against them and gives guidance on applying those safeguards. The aim is to reduce the likelihood of pain, injury and, in case of fire, property damage. The notified document runs to 414 pages in English and French.
Proposed timing
PAI proposes adopting the regulation 30 days after the comment period closes, with entry into force one year after adoption. If that holds, adoption would come around early January 2027 and the rules would apply from around early 2028. Neither date has been published yet.
What This Means for Manufacturers
If you sell AV or ICT equipment in Kuwait, current IEC 62368-1 test reports become the core evidence.
Products still certified only to older standards like IEC 60950-1 or IEC 60065 may need new testing before the rules apply.
The one-year lead time is reasonable, but it starts at adoption, so it's worth tracking the final publication.
Kuwait's draft lists the Gulf standard GSO IEC 62368-1:2024, so reports aligned with it should help across GCC markets.
Comments are open to trading partners and industry until 6 December 2026.
Certification Impact Summary
Area | Before | After | Impact level |
Safety standard | To be confirmed against current Kuwaiti requirements | Kuwaiti technical regulation based on IEC 62368-1 | High |
Legal status | Draft notified to the WTO | Technical regulation once adopted | High |
Product scope | To be confirmed | All products within the scope of the AV/ICT safety standard | Medium |
Transition | Not applicable | Entry into force 1 year after adoption (proposed) | Medium |
Reference document | Not applicable | GSO IEC 62368-1:2024 listed as relevant | Low |
Timeline and Required Actions
Key Dates
Date | Milestone |
7 October 2026 | WTO circulates notification G/TBT/N/KWT/783 |
6 December 2026 | Final date for comments |
To be confirmed (proposed: 30 days after comments close) | Adoption |
To be confirmed (proposed: 1 year after adoption) | Entry into force |
Required Actions for Manufacturers
List the AV and ICT products you sell or plan to sell in Kuwait.
Check that each has a current IEC 62368-1 test report and CB certificate.
Flag products still tested only to IEC 60950-1 or IEC 60065.
Send comments to PAI's enquiry point by 6 December 2026 if the draft affects you.
Watch for the adopted text and its publication date to fix your transition plan.
Conclusion
The Kuwait IEC 62368-1 safety regulation would bring Kuwait in line with the hazard-based approach already used across much of the world. Manufacturers have a comment window until 6 December 2026 and, if PAI keeps its proposed timing, about a year after adoption to prepare. Contact our team for support with Kuwait and GCC product safety approvals.
