GCC Proposes GSODS0000:2026 Pet Food Standard, Setting New Pet Product Compliance Rules for Seven Gulf Markets
Executive Summary. On September 8, 2026, the Gulf Cooperation Council circulated a draft technical regulation, GSODS0000:2026 General Requirements for Pet Food, to Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, the UAE, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The draft sets pet product compliance rules for prepacked pet food, treats and chews, bans urea in dog and cat food, and mandates clear labelling. Dog food manufacturers, cat food manufacturers and dog treats manufacturers exporting to the Gulf now have until November 7, 2026 to review the proposal.
Key Facts
- Regulation
- GSODS0000:2026 General Requirements for Pet Food (draft)
- Notifying members
- Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, UAE, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait
- Notification date
- 2026-09-08
- Comment deadline
- 2026-11-07
- Scope
- Prepacked pet food, feed, treats and chews
- Key prohibitions
- Urea in dog and cat food
- Status
- Draft / not yet in force
What Happened
On September 8, 2026, the seven members of the Gulf Cooperation Council notified the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade committee of a new draft regulation: GSODS0000:2026. The regulation establishes general requirements for pet food sold in the Gulf region. It applies to packaged food for non-food animals, including dogs, cats, birds, ornamental fish and reptiles, and covers complete diets, supplementary feed, treats and chewing products.
The draft explicitly prohibits the use of urea in dog and cat food. It also references existing Gulf standards for contaminants and toxins (GSO 2814), pesticide residues (GSO 382) and feed materials (GSO 2813). Labels must carry the warning “For pet animal — Not for human consumption” and list ingredients in descending order by weight using generic rather than brand names. Guaranteed analysis, including moisture and crude ash, must be declared, and products must carry use-by or best-by dates and a batch number.
Background
Gulf pet markets have grown quickly over the past decade, driven by rising pet ownership, higher disposable incomes and increased demand for imported premium products. Until now, pet food regulation in the region has been fragmented, with each member state applying its own import and labelling rules. GSODS0000:2026 is the first attempt to create a single technical regulation across all seven markets.
The draft draws on the regulatory frameworks of the European Union, the United States Food and Drug Administration and Canada. For exporters, this means the new Gulf rules will feel familiar in some areas but will still require specific label and formulation adjustments to meet Gulf Standards Organization requirements.
Industry Context
For pet product compliance, the draft raises the bar for any dog food manufacturer, cat food manufacturer or dog treats manufacturer that wants to sell into the Gulf. Companies will need to audit formulations to ensure urea is absent, confirm that all ingredients comply with GSO 2813, and redesign labels to show generic ingredient names, guaranteed analysis and bilingual warnings.
The regulation also creates new opportunities for compliant suppliers. As smaller exporters struggle with the documentation burden, larger pet food manufacturers with established quality systems and regulatory teams may gain market share. Contract manufacturers and private-label specialists that can work through GSO standards could see increased demand from brands wanting to enter the region without building local regulatory capacity.
Market & Business Impact
The immediate impact is a compliance preparation window through November 7, 2026. Exporters that begin label reviews and formulation checks now will be better positioned when the regulation takes effect. The requirement for batch-level traceability and clear date marking will also push dog food manufacturers and cat food manufacturers to tighten supply-chain controls.
In the medium term, GSODS0000:2026 should reduce regulatory fragmentation across the Gulf, making it easier for a single product registration to cover multiple countries. That could lower entry costs for prepared exporters while raising barriers for informal traders and products that do not meet the new standards.
Companies & Brands Involved
The regulation was drafted by the Gulf Standards Organization and notified by the member states. In practice, enforcement will fall to national authorities such as the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology. Importers, distributors and any pet food manufacturer shipping to the Gulf will need to work with these bodies to obtain conformity certificates and clear customs.
Data & Evidence
- WTO TBT notifications: G/TBT/N/ARE/713, G/TBT/N/BHR/784, G/TBT/N/KWT/769, G/TBT/N/OMN/607, G/TBT/N/QAT/758, G/TBT/N/SAU/1443, G/TBT/N/YEM/355
- Referenced standards: GSO 2814 (contaminants), GSO 382 (pesticides), GSO 2813 (feed materials)
- Comment deadline: 2026-11-07
- Labelling requirement: ingredients listed by descending weight using generic names
- Warning text required: “For pet animal — Not for human consumption”
What This Means for the Pet Industry
GSODS0000:2026 signals that the Gulf is moving from informal import controls to a structured, standards-based pet food regime. For global suppliers, the draft is both a compliance exercise and a market-access opportunity. Brands that invest in GSO-compliant formulations and labels now will have a first-mover advantage when the regulation becomes mandatory.
Key Takeaways
- GSODS0000:2026 is the first unified Gulf technical regulation covering prepacked pet food, treats and chews.
- The draft prohibits urea in dog and cat food and references GSO standards for contaminants, pesticides and materials.
- Labels must state “For pet animal — Not for human consumption” and list ingredients by descending weight using generic names.
- Exporters, dog food manufacturers and dog treats manufacturers now have until November 7, 2026 to review the draft and prepare comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries are covered by GSODS0000:2026?
The draft was notified by the seven Gulf Cooperation Council member states: Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
What products does the standard apply to?
It covers prepacked pet food, feed, treats and chews for non-food animals such as dogs, cats, birds, ornamental fish and reptiles.
When will GSODS0000:2026 take effect?
The regulation is still in draft form. The comment period closes on November 7, 2026, and it is not yet in force.
Sources
- Jiangsu Fair Trade Early-Warning Platform — GCC pet food standard draft
- NetEase / 163.com — 2026 GCC standard analysis
