On 11 February 2025 Egypt's Ministry of Trade and Industry formally issued Ministerial Decree No. 7/2025, approving the mandatory national standard ES 2501-1 as the basis for safety certification of audio/video, information and communication technology equipment. The new standard takes effect on 11 August 2025 after a six-month transition, fully replacing the older ES 2501 and Decree No. 241/2016. Products without certification will not be able to enter the Egyptian market.

Core changes

1. The technical content of ES 2501-1/2024 is identical to international standard IEC 62368-1:2023, covering equipment safety, risk assessment and fire and electric shock protection, significantly internationalising Egyptian market access.

2. Once the new rules take effect the previous ES 2501 is withdrawn and all relevant products must be recertified to ES 2501-1, including but not limited to:

- audio/video equipment such as televisions and audio systems

- information technology equipment such as computers and servers

- communication terminals such as routers and switches

3. Manufacturers and exporters must complete testing and certificate updates before August 2025; products that are not compliant by then risk customs delays or removal from the market.