Oman’s Standards and Specifications Index grows 33.8%

Muscat: Oman’s Standards and Specifications Index grew by 33.8% by the end of the second quarter of 2026, exceeding the target set for the period by 65%, as the Sultanate accelerates efforts to strengthen product quality, safety and competitiveness.The development of national standards and technical specifications is being positioned as an important component of Oman’s economic infrastructure, providing technical references for products and services while helping industrial, commercial and technology sectors meet market requirements. The Directorate General of Standards and Metrology at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion is working under its 2026 plan to prepare and study around 1,567 unified Gulf standard specifications projects, of which approximately 325 are being prepared by Oman. The programme also includes 16 national standard specifications projects, while overall completion of projects under the plan exceeded 80% by the end of Q2 2026.The specifications cover a wide range of sectors, including food products, building materials, petroleum products, energy efficiency, electricity and electronics. They also increasingly address emerging fields such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, electric vehicles, logistics and tourism.Emad bin Khamis Al-Shukaili, Director General of the Directorate General of Standards and Metrology, said the expansion of the standards system was strengthening Oman’s technical infrastructure and providing clear requirements related to quality, safety and efficiency.He noted that standardisation is closely linked to the requirements of industry, trade and other economic sectors, helping Omani products meet technical requirements in domestic and international markets. It also contributes to reducing technical barriers to trade and creating a clearer regulatory environment for producers and investors. The growing focus on emerging sectors reflects the rapid transformation taking place across the economy. Standards are being developed for artificial intelligence, renewable energy and electric vehicles, alongside specifications covering logistics and tourism services.In digital transformation, Oman has prepared several unified Gulf standards projects, including specifications addressing environmental sustainability in artificial intelligence systems, data quality for analytics and machine learning, and terrestrial audio radio broadcast receivers.In the energy and resources sector, specifications include requirements related to wind power generation systems, asset management and extending the operational life of energy infrastructure.Industrial standards cover areas such as facility performance management, cold-chain logistics and requirements for the storage and transportation of products.Tourism is also being incorporated into the standards framework, with specifications covering environmental guidelines for accommodation facilities and information provided to participants in adventure tourism activities.Oman has additionally adopted 10 international standards as national standards for the electricity and electronics sector. These include standards relating to plug-in charging systems for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, electrical transformer safety and industrial internet applications.Nadia bint Mohammed Al-Siyabi, Director of the Standards Department at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, said the selection of standards projects was based on the needs of economic sectors and technological developments in products and services.She said the diversity of projects reflected the changing requirements of Oman’s economy, with standardisation now extending beyond traditional industrial and commercial activities to areas such as AI, renewable energy, electric mobility, logistics and tourism.The programme also includes standards specifically related to Omani products. These include specifications for Omani frankincense aromatic oil and frankincense distilled water used in cosmetics, as well as technical requirements for fishing boats less than 14 metres long.Such standards are intended to establish clear benchmarks for quality and safety while supporting the competitiveness and marketability of locally produced goods.The development of specifications is being carried out through technical cooperation among government and regulatory bodies, private-sector companies and academic and research institutions. More than 170 Omani experts participate in technical committees responsible for preparing and studying standards.This broad participation is intended to ensure that technical requirements reflect actual market conditions and the needs of producers, consumers and regulators. Standardisation also plays a direct role in consumer protection and market safety. The system covers products and sectors such as food, toys and electrical appliances, while addressing energy efficiency, emissions reduction, waste management and biodegradable plastics.By establishing common requirements for quality, safety and efficiency, standards can help producers improve their products and facilitate their entry into regional and international markets. For Oman, the expansion of the standards framework comes at a time when the country is seeking to diversify its economy, increase the contribution of non-oil sectors and develop higher-value manufacturing and technology-based activities. The Ministry has identified an advanced and integrated quality system as part of its broader effort to strengthen the business and investment environment.The emphasis on standards for renewable energy, electric vehicles, AI and other emerging technologies also reflects the need to ensure that regulatory and technical systems evolve alongside new industries.The progress recorded during the first half of 2026 therefore extends beyond the preparation of technical documents. It represents an effort to build a standards infrastructure capable of supporting innovation, improving product quality and enabling Omani businesses to compete more effectively in international markets.As Oman continues implementing its economic diversification agenda under Oman Vision 2040, officials see standardisation as an important enabler of industrial development, investment and international trade.The continued expansion of the system is expected to strengthen the quality and competitiveness of Omani products, reduce technical obstacles to market access and provide businesses with clearer requirements for developing and exporting products and services.The integration of government agencies, industry, academia and research institutions into the standards process is also expected to strengthen national expertise and ensure that Oman’s technical framework remains responsive to technological change and evolving global market requirements.