Prior permission from authorities concerned is mandatory for conducting sales or promotional offers by commercial establishments in the Sultanate of Oman.
The decisions follow amendments to some of the provisions of the Executive Regulations of the Consumer Protection Law made by the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA), on Sunday.
According to the decisions, businesses and services providers are prohibited from carrying out any sales or promotional activity without obtaining prior permission or licence from the competent authorities.
“The permission from the relevant authority is mandatory to ensure that there are no misleading offers or advertisements, in accordance with the controls set by the authority,” stipulate the decisions.
The entities conducting the sales or promotional activities must submit a copy of the approval to the CPA in addition to furnishing a statement on the methods such as prizes, gifts and benefits that will be offered to the winning consumers.
Also, specifies the CPA, “it is banned to circulate goods that contain phrases, images, slogans, or symbols if they are contrary to religious values, indecent, or against public morals or customs.”
Trading of any commodity that comes in indecent or obscene forms, misusing goods or providing services in a way that offends the customs and traditions is strictly prohibited.
According to the decisions, a clear and legible statement on the selling price before and during the sales period for each commodity should be exhibited.
“To comply with the regulations, a promotional offer must be displayed in a conspicuous location within the shops in which the offer is being conducted, whereas only a copy of the licence needs to be displayed in each of the locations for the period of the promotional offer,” declare the decisions.
Non-compliance with the provisions of the regulations may see a violator prohibited from conducting promotional offers for up to one year and more serious still, under the law, a supplier who fails to provide its customers with correct and true information could face a fine and imprisonment.
“Anyone who violates the provisions of this regulation will face an administrative fine, not exceeding RO 1,000 and it shall be doubled in the event of a repetition of the violation,” it said.
An administrative fine of not more than RO 50 will be imposed if the violation continues. For each day in which the violation continues, provided that its total does not exceed RO 2,000.
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