MUSCAT: The Consumer Protection Authority’s Directorate General in North Al Batinah, through the Consumer Protection Office in Suwaiq, carried out a targeted inspection campaign focusing on school supply markets within the Wilayat. During this campaign, authorities confiscated items featuring skull motifs and other imagery deemed inappropriate for public circulation. The CPA emphasized that such items constitute a direct violation of the Consumer Protection Law and its Executive Regulation, highlighting the Authority’s commitment to monitoring and addressing violations promptly.
Judicial control officers led the operation, underscoring the Authority’s proactive approach to consumer safety. The campaign is part of ongoing measures to ensure that products in the market comply with regulatory standards, particularly ahead of the back-to-school season when demand for school supplies rises sharply. Authorities have reiterated that continuous monitoring is essential to safeguard consumers from harmful or inappropriate goods.
The confiscated items were found to contravene Article 26 of Executive Regulation No. 77/2017, which prohibits the circulation of goods containing content offensive to religious values, public morals, or cultural norms. This includes products displaying indecent imagery, slogans, or symbols, as well as items presented in a manner inconsistent with societal customs. Following the inspection, violating shops were penalized and the confiscated goods were taken into custody, reflecting the Authority’s strict enforcement stance.
Looking ahead, the CPA emphasized that inspection campaigns will continue across all markets to maintain safe and compliant consumer environments. Authorities also encouraged the public to report any violations through official communication channels, reinforcing the collaborative effort between regulators and consumers to uphold market integrity. These measures ensure that school supply markets remain secure, ethically compliant, and safe for all members of the community.
