Bahrain is set to introduce tougher penalties to tackle the misuse of national specifications and technical regulations.
Offenders could be jailed for up to three years and/or fined amounts ranging from BD100 to BD10,000.
The violations include circulating, selling, or offering for sale national standards or technical regulations, or launching phrases, shapes, or symbols implying they are national standards or technical regulations in violation of the law.
It is part of an urgently-drafted government legislation amending the 2016 Standards and Metrology Law that will be debated during Tuesday’s weekly Parliament session.
Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro said the proposed law explicitly includes ‘technical regulations’ in addition to ‘national standards’, closing a legal loophole.
This ensures that all official technical documents – whether advisory or mandatory – are covered by enforcement measures.
The term ‘circulating’ has been added, capturing a broader range of actions beyond just selling or displaying for sale. This allows regulators to act against online sharing, copying, or redistribution, including on social media or unauthorised digital platforms.
By specifying the misuse of symbols, phrases, or imagery that imply a document is officially sanctioned, the amendment targets deceptive practices used to lend credibility to unauthorised or fake standards.
In his justification to Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee, Mr Fakhro stressed that many technical regulations for licensed products are developed in partnership with the GCC Standardisation Organisation.
He pointed out that accreditations are provided through official channels like the Bahrain Standards Store and are protected by intellectual property rights.
“Unauthorised circulation undermines both copyright protections and the credibility of Bahrain’s national standards system,” he noted.
He further stressed the need to modernise enforcement tools to deter misuse, particularly in digital environments where copyrighted documents can be easily copied and distributed.
Committee chairman MP Ahmed Al Salloom backed the move, asserting that the amendments were aimed at protecting public safety, legal integrity, and national credibility.
Other proposed amendments include the restructuring of the National Committee for Standards and Metrology.
Under the new provisions, the committee will include a more flexible membership structure, welcoming representatives from various ministries, regulators, and the private sector – particularly the Bahrain Chamber.
Under current law, the committee is chaired by the Minister and includes a fixed number of representatives.
The new draft removes this cap and allows broader representation, which stakeholders say is essential to keep pace with technological and industrial developments.
The Bahrain Chamber has supported the proposed bill, noting the importance of including private sector representatives in the National Committee.
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