Oman: CPA cracks down on sale of used tyres
Muscat: The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) in North Sharqiyah has seized 1,104 used vehicle tyres from commercial establishments involved in their storage, repair, and resale.
The action was taken in line with the Consumer Protection Law, which prohibits the sale of used tyres due to the risks they pose to consumers.
The seized tyres were impounded, and legal measures have been initiated against the violators. The CPA stated that the ban on used tyres is aimed at ensuring public safety.
As part of the recent amendments to the Consumer Protection Law, penalties for violating tyre sale regulations have been increased.
The fine, previously set at RO500, has been doubled to RO1,000. For repeat offenders, the penalty will be doubled again, with an additional fine of RO50 per day for continued violations, up to a maximum of RO2,000.
The amended regulations, which took effect on August 19, 2024, reinforce an existing ruling (No 257/2015) that bans the sale of used tyres in Oman.
© Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
13 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Saudi Bank Unveils New Credit‑Card Rules to Drive Transparency
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The Saudi Central Bank has introduced sweeping reforms in the rules governing credit-card issuance and operation, aiming to reduce consumer costs, bolster transparency and align with global standards. The changes include mandatory fee notifications, reduced cash withdrawal charges, capped international transaction fees and improved disclosures. SAMA will implement these updates within 30 to 90 days. Key changes include a requirement for issuers to send SMS alerts before any fee or term modification, allowing cardholders a 14-day window to cancel agreements without penalty under the updated terms. E-wallet top-ups using credit cards will now incur no charges, a move intended to incentivise digital payments. ADVERTISEMENT Cash withdrawals of SR2,500 or less will carry a maximum fee of 3% of the transaction value; those of SR2,500 or more are capped at SR75. Previously, cash advance fees applied sharply until SR5,000 with a flat SR75, and beyond that 3%, up to SR300—making the new cap notably more favourable for larger withdrawals. International purchases will now attract a clear 2% fee of the transaction amount. A notable enhancement allows customers to deposit amounts beyond their credit limit and withdraw them at any point without additional charges, enhancing flexibility and consumer agency. Account statements must now be issued via SMS at least 25 days before payment, detailing balances, due dates and fees. Immediate notifications must follow any credit-card transaction, including details such as merchant, amount and remaining limit. Issuers are also required to provide pre‑transaction tools for estimating international charges and reward benefits. Repayment provisions maintain consumer safeguards: a 25-day minimum grace period is mandated before term costs apply. The rules prohibit levying additional fees for full balance payments and outlining clear terms for minimum payments and their implications. These reforms are underpinned by standardised disclosure templates for fees and benefits, inclusive of promotional terms—a step towards consistency across the market. Issuers must emphasise APR, term costs and expiration timelines for rewards or promotions, with SMS reminders 14 days in advance. SAMA's emphasis on mandatory due diligence and creditworthiness checks prior to card issuance is reinforced under the new framework. Criteria now include explicit customer consent via authenticated channels, formal credit record assessments and eligibility conditions aligned with industry best practices. Procedures for supplementary cards, default reporting and dispute resolution have also been clarified. For example, the minimum repayment remains 5% of the due balance, and any default procedures must include consumer advisory services before legal or collection measures begin. SMS has been designated the primary channel for disclosures, with issuers obliged to inform customers of account activity, fee changes and promotional developments. Financial institutions must adhere to SAMA‑specified notification templates to promote uniformity and clarity. According to a senior official within SAMA, the goal is to 'establish minimum requirements to promote disclosure, transparency and fair practices, as well as to limit credit risk.' Industry reaction has been generally positive. Analysts from regional banks suggest the rules will 'enhance consumer protection while supporting digital payment growth.' Critics, however, note potential implementation challenges—particularly in updating existing systems to align with stricter notification and compliance requirements. The timing reflects SAMA's broader strategy to modernise the financial sector and accelerate digital payments as part of Saudi Vision 2030. A 2020 directive mandated real‑time notifications for debit card and e-wallet transactions, laying foundational infrastructure for today's enhanced SMS regime. Collaboration with global payment networks—such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express—has helped shape caps on international and cash advance fees. Banks and fintech firms are now preparing compliance roadmaps. One major lender has initiated system-wide updates to include the new SMS templates, fee calculators and balance‑flexibility features. Industry trade bodies are urging transparency in implementation timelines to ensure consumers are well informed ahead of the rollout. As SAMA positions Saudi Arabia's credit‑card framework at par with international best practice, key areas to monitor include transparency in third‑party charges, enforcement mechanisms for non-compliant issuers, and feedback from consumer‑protection advocates.
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Al Etihad
Sharjah Ruler chairs meeting on higher education strategy
17 June 2025 19:36 SHARJAH (WAM)His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, chaired the second meeting of the permanent executive committee of the Sharjah Higher Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research on Tuesday at the University Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi welcomed the committee members and emphasised the council's role in the coming years, following his directives to correct administrative concepts, improve university governance, and implement strategic committee discussed various topics and future plans, including the council's work report, organisational structure, strategy, subcommittees, academic staff promotion and evaluation criteria, as well as research and innovation committee also reviewed university admission conditions, the diversity of academic programmes, and main and specialised fields to ensure they meet labour market demands and students' Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi approved the preliminary budget for the remaining period of the year, amounting to Dh 18 million, alongside endorsing the council's new logo and headquarters at the University Highness directed the committee to oversee scholarship affairs in Sharjah's higher education institutions, adopting governance frameworks and coordinating between universities and scholarship providers—governmental, semi-governmental, and scholarship standards for postgraduate studies were approved, similar to those for bachelor's degrees. Sharjah students registered with the emirate and with a monthly income below Dh50,000 will receive full scholarships, while those with higher incomes will benefit from 50% fee scholarships will continue for groups such as children of imams and students with disabilities, funded by the Emiri Diwan. Universities and academies will offer special discounts to other categories like high achievers in academics, sports, research, and other fields. The meeting was attended by Dr Mansour bin Nasar, Head of the Sharjah Government Legal Department and committee rapporteur; Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashemi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Private Education Authority; Professor Hamid Majoul Al Nuaimi, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah and Director of Sharjah Academy for Space Sciences and Astronomy; and Dr Mohammed Yousuf Baniyas, Adviser for Higher Education at Sharjah Private Education Authority.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Zawya
Oman: Rise in complaints amidst growth in e-commerce
MUSCAT - As e-commerce gains traction in Oman, the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) has reported a rise in complaints from consumers in the Sultanate of Oman. Speaking to the Observer during a recent e-commerce conference, the Director of Market Regulation and Monitoring Department at the CPA, Khalid bin Salem al Siyabi, shared the following, 'Over the past few years, we've seen a significant increase in consumer complaints. In 2022, we received 29 complaints. In 2023, that jumped to 493 complaints, and RO 5,272 was recovered for consumers. In 2024, complaints quadrupled to 1,845. In just the first quarter of 2025, we received 2,208 complaints, and recovered RO 31,249 for consumers. This is a major increase compared to 2024 — and it's only the first quarter. The annual increase is significant, reflecting a strong shift toward e-commerce in Oman.' According to Al Siyabi, the surge is due to shifts in consumer behaviour as more consumers resort to online shopping. 'This reflects broader global trends. Consumer habits have shifted — people no longer drive to stores as often; instead, they rely on online platforms. While this has made shopping more convenient, it has also opened the door to new challenges, such as fraud, unverified sellers, and misleading advertising,' he said. The official added that unclear and inaccurate production descriptions are amongst the frequent issues reported. 'Many consumers receive products that don't match what was promised. That's a major issue — consumers often complain about differences in color, size, or features. In many cases, the product descriptions on e-commerce sites are vague or unclear, which causes confusion and leads to disputes or complaints,' he said. Moreover, the Director shared that the Authority has detected various cases of electronic fraud, in which case the Authority directs consumers to file reports to the Public Prosecution or the ROP directly. Urging consumers to take several precautions before making purchases, he stressed: 'Our main advice is to stay informed and cautious before making any online purchases. Consumers should ensure that the platform they're using is properly licensed. For websites, they should look for secure connections — that means URLs beginning with 'https' and a visible padlock symbol. These are signs that the website is legitimate and less likely to be involved in fraud.' he said. The Consumer Protection Authority is a key stakeholder in the country's E-Commerce programme, which was launched in 2023, and falls under the Digital Economy Programme umbrella. Last year, the Under-Secretary for Commerce & Industry at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Dr Saleh bin Said Masan, unveiled that the value of the Omani e-commerce market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.8 per cent from 2023 to 2027 to reach a market size of $3.27 billion. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
