Decision No. 398 of 2023 Regulating Goods Import Labeling Requirements

The Ministry of Economy imposed mandatory Arabic-language labeling requirements on all imported goods, effective October 1, 2023. The decision mandated 12 specific data points on outer packaging and inner containers, including importer details, production/expiry dates, and product specifications. The decision was subsequently repealed and replaced by Decision No. 485 of 2023.

This decision created compliance costs for all importers through packaging modification requirements and potential supply chain delays. However, its full repeal by Decision 485/2023 means operational impact was limited to the period between October 2023 and the subsequent repeal date. Companies should review Decision 485/2023 to understand current labeling obligations, as the replacement decision likely modified rather than eliminated these requirements. The short lifespan signals regulatory instability in import standards.