Nabil bin Amin Mulla, Secretary-General of the Gulf Standardization Organization, confirmed that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will issue this year the «Gulf Building Code,» which will be mandatory for all government and private entities starting in 2020, as a requirement for urban development and housing construction. This will improve the quality and safety of housing by 100%, and prevent unregulated construction that violates specifications and standards. He warned that those who fail to comply with the code’s standards will face penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment, and calling on all relevant parties—including consultants, designers, and contractors—to adhere to the code in construction.

Mala explained that the Gulf Building Code is based on the Saudi Building Code and includes 15 standards, most notably the provision of safety, air conditioning, and electrical systems such as fire extinguishers, safety ladders, and emergency exits, as well as requirements prior to the start of construction work, as well as taking into account the requirements of contractors, safety measures, and the requirements of consulting firms and civil defense agencies, in order to ensure the safety of the building and its occupants. It also stipulates the safety and quality of all materials used in construction, such as steel, bricks, windows, and aluminum, stating that the Authority will submit all reports to the Ministers of Housing and Municipalities on an ongoing basis, noting that the code will serve as a guide and is already in use in developed countries.