NO IMPORT OF PLASTIC BAGS

MUSCAT: To ensure stricter implementation of ban on usage of single-use plastic bags in the Sultanate of Oman, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion has banned the import of plastic bags in the country.

The ministry in its decision banned import of plastic bags and announced a penalty in case of any violation in this regard. Article one of the decision No 519/2022 prohibits companies, institutions, and individuals from importing plastic bags, while Article 2 has penalty provisions of RO 1,000.

“The fine will be doubled if the violation is repeated. This decision shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall come into force from January 1, 2023,” the ministerial decision said.

Sami bin Salim al Sahib, Director General of Industry at the ministry, said that the decision comes in line with the ministry’s plans to regulate market activities pertaining to the import of products that damage the environment.

He added that the decision, issued in coordination with the Environment Authority, will support Omani factories by limiting unfair competition from imported products that do not meet environment standards.

Through its cooperation with the Environment Authority, the ministry seeks to shift to environment-friendly industries, he said, noting that the decision does not affect local plastic production factories. Indeed, it will help augment their sales and their production capacity to meet local market demands.

The ministry is working in cooperation with the departments concerned to develop specifications and instructions related to industrialists and importers to ensure proper shifting to alternatives to plastic bags and raise social awareness about the negative impacts of plastics to man and the environment.

The Environment Authority implemented a ban on single-use plastic shopping bags, which came into effect on January 2021. The ban was part of the plan set by the authority to preserve the Omani environment from pollution and waste that is harmful to the rich environment and wildlife.

The authority had imposed an administrative fine of not less than RO 100 and no more than RO 2,000 is imposed on whoever violates the provisions of this decision, and it will be doubled if the violation is repeated.

While the use of single-use bags have been almost phased out in the country, most retailers, including supermarkets, currently do provide recyclable bags, including plastic, on demand.