Lift and Elevator Codes and Standards in Qatar

Construction in Qatar is governed by the Qatar Construction Specifications (QCS 2014, technical regulation QS 27/2014), which is mandatory for all public and private construction projects; lifts and escalators sit in the electrical section (QCS 2010 had Section 21 Part 20 'Elevators & Escalators'; the 2014 part and the standards it references were not read). Qatar Civil Defence (General Directorate of Civil Defence, Ministry of Interior) approves and registers elevators and follows up their safety requirements, and urges that lifts and escalators come from approved suppliers (workshop with the Qatari Society of Engineers, Sept 2026). Building permits are issued by the Ministry of Municipality. Standards family not established: no Qatari act naming EN 81, ASME A17.1 or BS was found; the only lift standards seen are the GCC (GSO) adoptions of EN 81-20/-50 and EN 115-1, voluntary unless adopted.

Who regulates lifts

Ministry of Municipality (QCS, building permits); Qatar Civil Defence / General Directorate of Civil Defence, Ministry of Interior (fire; approval and registration of elevators)

Periodic inspection

Not confirmed.

Installer and maintenance licensing

Not confirmed.

Laws, codes and standards

QCS 2014 (QS 27/2014) (2014) — Qatar Construction Specifications
Mandatory · Technical regulation QS 27/2014; mandatory for all construction projects · State of Qatar (Ministry of Municipality / standards authority - not confirmed)
QCS Section 21 Part 20 (Elevators & Escalators) — Qatar Construction Specifications - Electrical works - Elevators and escalators
Mandatory · QCS is mandatory for all construction projects (technical regulation QS 27/2014) · Ministry of Municipality / Public Works Authority (Ashghal)
GSO EN 115-1 (2023) — Safety of escalators and moving walks - Part 1: Construction and installation
Voluntary · GCC Standardization Organization (GSO)
GSO EN 81-20 (2025) — Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts - Lifts for the transport of persons and goods - Part 20: Passenger and goods passenger lifts
Voluntary · GCC Standardization Organization (GSO)
GSO EN 81-50 (2025) — Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts - Examinations and tests - Part 50: Design rules, calculations, examinations and tests of lift components
Voluntary · GCC Standardization Organization (GSO)

Lift associations and bodies

General Directorate of Civil Defence (Qatar) (QCDD)

Last verified 2026-10-17. Standards are copyrighted: we list which one applies and its legal status, not its text.