Gulf Cooperation Council Standardization Organization Proposes Update to General Halal Food Requirements Standard
On February 17, 2026, the Gulf Cooperation Council Standardization Organization (GSO), representing all Gulf countries except Iraq, issued a draft technical regulation titled "GSO 2055-1:2026 Halal Food – Part 1: General Requirements", updating the 2015 version (GSO 2055-1:2015). The draft establishes the basic standards that foods must meet to be recognized as halal in the GCC region. The consultation period runs until April 18, 2026.