Saturday 02 / May / 2026
Under Oman’s Consumer Protection Law, a product recall is a formal procedure where the Public Authority or the supplier withdraws a defective good or suspends a harmful service that fails to meet specifications and endangers consumers.
In an exclusive interview with Times of Oman, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, Founding Partner of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm, explains that “the law places primary operational responsibility on the supplier for initiating and carrying out a recall. Upon discovering any defect that could harm a consumer or their property, the supplier must act without delay: stop selling the good, notify affected consumers, notify the relevant authorities, and withdraw the product from the market.”
“The Executive Regulation further requires the supplier to submit a written report to the Public Authority for Consumer Protection, detailing the defect, possible harm, prevention methods, and the number of affected consumers or goods. Additionally, the supplier must reach out to each consumer using the purchase address and publish a public notice in at least 02 local newspapers, one of which must be in Arabic,” he said.
He further stated that “if the supplier fails to act, the Authority has strong enforcement powers. The President of the Authority may order the suspension of a good or service where a danger has occurred or is likely to occur based on confirmed information, including where a good does not conform to standard specifications, is adulterated, spoiled, or counterfeit, or where studies or laboratory results confirm a threat to consumer health and safety. Where necessary, the Authority may order the destruction of the good and require the supplier to replace, repair, or refund it in full or in part.”
“The law imposes strict penalties for non-compliance. A supplier who violates recall obligations may face imprisonment from 03 months to 03 years and a fine between OMR 2,000 and OMR 50,000, or either of these penalties. If the violation results in death, the imprisonment term increases to no less than 05 years. In addition, administrative fines may be imposed, including daily fines for continuing violations,” he said.
“These strict rules ensure that unsafe products are quickly removed from Omani markets and that consumers are fully protected from harm,” he concluded.
(Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm (info@mohammedibrahim.net), (+968 244 87 600) was established on 14th December 2006 and is serving clients through its offices in Muscat and Sohar, as well as operating on a request basis in other areas. It offers legal representation across a wide range of practice areas that include Labour Law, Corporate, Commercial, Contracts, Banking and Finance, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Insurance, Maritime Law, Construction and Engineering Contracts, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property and more).
