UL Solutions and GCC Labs Expand Collaboration to Enhance Fire Safety in the Middle East

10/15/2025 – 10:00 PM

The collaboration will leverage GCC Technical Service Company’s Dammam facility for localized fire safety testing and certification, which is integral to the safety and success of the rapid infrastructure growth in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – UL Solutions and GCC Technical Services Company (TS Co.) are deepening their strategic partnership to bolster fire safety standards across the Gulf region, signaling a crucial move amidst Saudi Arabia’s ambitious infrastructure development plans. This alliance aims to streamline testing and certification processes, addressing a growing demand for safety in the face of massive construction projects.

UL Solutions and GCC Technical Services Company (TS Co.) have significantly enhanced their strategic partnership to advance fire safety in the Gulf region, with TS Co., a GCC Labs affiliate, now officially recognized as part of the UL Witness Test Data Program for fire safety. Pictured here from the left: Patrick Abgrall, director and regional general manager of the Built Environment group at UL Solutions, and Khalaf Masaeed, Chief Executive Officer of TS Co.

A key component of this expanded partnership is TS Co.’s inclusion in the UL Witness Test Data Program (WTDP). This allows TS Co. to conduct fire safety tests at its Dammam, Saudi Arabia facilities under the direct oversight of UL Solutions engineers. The data generated is then used by UL Solutions to grant certifications and authorize the use of the UL Mark, a globally recognized symbol of safety and reliability.

The WTDP designation effectively eliminates the logistical bottleneck of shipping product samples internationally, significantly cutting down time-to-market for manufacturers operating in the region. This efficiency gain is particularly vital as Saudi Arabia embarks on its Vision 2030 plan, marked by a deluge of large-scale construction projects.

“This evolution of our collaboration with TS Co. strengthens fire safety and conformity services throughout Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region by leveraging their Dammam facility,” stated Patrick Abgrall, director and regional general manager of the Built Environment group at UL Solutions.

TS Co.’s Dammam base is strategically positioned to serve the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Its services play a crucial role in demonstrating the safety, reliability, and efficiency of equipment used in the region’s expanding manufacturing sector.

The partnership is particularly timely given Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which includes giga-projects like NEOM, tourism destinations like the Red Sea and THE RIG, and the New Murabba project in Riyadh. These initiatives represent an investment exceeding $1.5 trillion and demand adherence to the highest international fire and life safety standards.

Analysts note that this collaboration strategically positions both UL Solutions and TS Co. to capitalize on the burgeoning market for fire safety solutions in the region. The ability to provide locally-sourced testing and certification services offers a competitive advantage, reducing costs and lead times for manufacturers while simultaneously ensuring compliance with stringent international regulations. The partnership also aligns with the Saudi government’s push for greater self-reliance and localization across various sectors, including construction and manufacturing.

“By combining UL Solutions’ global safety science leadership with our profound regional knowledge, we create an unmatched value proposition,” asserted Khalaf Masaeed, CEO of TS Co. “This alliance will expedite product evaluation and certification, guaranteeing that regional construction projects use materials and systems meeting the highest international safety benchmarks.”

The significance of this partnership extends beyond mere compliance. By expediting certification, it fosters innovation and promotes the adoption of advanced fire safety technologies within the region. This commitment to safety engineering will be crucial in mitigating risks associated with the rapid urbanization and industrialization occurring across the Gulf, contributing to more resilient and sustainable infrastructure development.