Global safety science company UL and Saudi-based GCC Electrical Testing Laboratory (GCC Labs) have signed a MoU aimed at localising fire and safety services and establishing a façade testing laboratory in the kingdom that would offer services across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.

Headquartered in Dammam, GCC Labs is a closed joint stock company that was formed by a group of leading  governmental and commercial entities in Saudi Arabia  and the larger Gulf region. Its mandate is to provide testing, inspection and certification services for electrical equipment.

The deal recognises a mutual commitment between UL, which has its regional base in Dubai, and GCC Labs to build the first façade and fire testing facility in the kingdom along with other services, including training.

UL and GCC Labs had first partnered in 2017 to strengthen the Middle East’s renewable energy infrastructure.  Both companies have since leveraged their resources, knowledge and experience to update the certification requirements for renewable energy in the region, said UL.

The agreement aims to combine UL’s safety science knowledge, expertise and global resources with GCC Labs’ unique understanding of local market needs and goals and would expand on the established relationship between UL and GCC Labs to better enable the safety and sustainability of energy products in the region, it stated.