Bahrain is advancing new legal measures to criminalise the misuse and unauthorised distribution of national standards and technical regulations, with violators facing penalties of up to three years in prison and/or fines ranging from BD100 to BD10,000.
This amendment to the 2016 Standards and Metrology Law was unanimously passed during the final session of the Shura Council’s current legislative term yesterday, following prior approval by Parliament.
The legislative update significantly expands the scope of prohibited actions to include unauthorised circulation, sale, or public display of official technical documents. It also criminalises the use of symbols, shapes, or phrases that could falsely suggest official endorsement or origin, especially in digital spaces.
Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro emphasised during the session the importance of the changes.
“This amendment explicitly adds ‘technical regulations’ alongside ‘national standards’ in the law, closing a critical legal loophole that left some official documents unprotected,” he said. “All technical documents – whether mandatory or advisory – must be safeguarded.”
He noted that the law’s digital relevance is especially important, adding: “By capturing activities such as online sharing or redistribution via social media, this law equips regulators to take action in today’s digital environment, where unauthorised content can spread quickly and easily.”
The move is seen as part of broader efforts to curb the illegal reproduction of regulatory documents, particularly those developed in co-operation with the GCC Standardisation Organisation.
“These regulations are the product of co-ordinated regional efforts and are distributed through official platforms such as the Bahrain Standards Store,” Mr Fakhro said. “Unauthorised circulation not only violates copyright, but also undermines the credibility of Bahrain’s national standards system and potentially compromises public safety.”
He further stressed the urgency of equipping authorities with modern enforcement tools in light of rising digital piracy. “The law must evolve to reflect current realities and provide robust tools to deter violations,” he said. “This is essential to ensure legal integrity, uphold safety, and support Bahrain’s reputation as a rules-based economy.”
He added that the reforms aim not only to safeguard intellectual property and prevent fraud, but also to position Bahrain as a regional leader in regulatory governance and industrial compliance.
Shura Council financial and economic affairs committee chairman Khalid Al Maskati voiced strong support for the law, calling it a long-overdue modernisation. “These changes are not only about legal enforcement, they are about protecting the public, defending intellectual property, and preserving Bahrain’s credibility in the global regulatory and industrial landscape,” he said.
Mr Al Maskati highlighted one key provision: the restructuring of the National Committee for Standards and Metrology.
Previously chaired by the minister and composed of fixed members, the committee will now adopt a flexible structure, allowing for broader representation from government bodies, regulators and the private sector – including the Bahrain Chamber.
“Reforming the committee adds expertise, especially from the private sector, and ensures national standards are responsive to rapid technological and industrial changes,” he said.
The Bahrain Chamber welcomed the legal amendments, particularly the enhanced role for the private sector in policy development.
The proposed law, now approved by both legislative chambers, has been forwarded to His Majesty King Hamad for final ratification.
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