Muscat: The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion today organized a symposium titled ‘Standards and Accreditation for Sustainable Industry’. The symposium reviewed the role of standards and accreditation in empowering the industrial sector and upgrading industrial competitiveness in accordance with the requirements of regional and international markets.
According to Oman News Agency, the symposium included visual presentations and working papers on Oman Accreditation Centre, the system of standards and measurements, and the role of laboratory accreditation in raising the quality of food products and enhancing consumer confidence. The Ministry, represented by the Directorate General of Standards and Metrology, is taking measures to enhance the system of quality in the Sultanate of Oman and establishing an economic environment based on competitiveness and global standards.
As a result of these measures, the Directorate General of Standards and Metrology increased the number of conformity assessment units by 6 percent in 2025 compared to 2024. This initiative contributes to protecting consumers, supporting national products, and enabling the industrial sector to access international markets. More than 109 testing laboratories were registered, and 126 conformity assessment bodies were licensed, while regional departments were equipped with modern measuring devices to ensure efficient oversight across all governorates.
In addition, over 3,520 queries from public and private sector partners were addressed to ensure a seamless service experience. The Ministry issued more than 200 new Omani standards and studied over 900 GCC standards. The number of Omani experts in GCC and international technical committees grew to 165. The Ministry also formed the first national technical committee for developing standards, comprising six teams covering the main economic sectors.
Meanwhile, more than 13,500 electronic conformity certificates were issued through the Oman Business platform, and over 22,000 customs clearance permits were issued for products, among other services. The symposium was attended by Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, representatives of government departments, private sector establishments, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in addition to experts in the fields of quality management, accreditation, and specifications.