Oman has introduced new controls on ozone-depleting substances and specified equipment, including mobile fire-extinguishing equipment, under Environment Authority Decision No. 173/2026. The regulation strengthens requirements for importing, exporting, labelling, handling and disposing of regulated substances and equipment.
Published in Oman’s Official Gazette on 11 October 2026, the Regulation on the Protection of the Ozone Layer took effect on 12 October 2026, replacing the previous regulation introduced in 2013.
New Requirements for Fire Safety Equipment
The regulation requires businesses to obtain authorisation before importing, exporting or re-exporting controlled substances and covered equipment.
Additional requirements include annual reporting, documentation of material sources, container labelling and the phased withdrawal of regulated substances.
The rules also prohibit the import of used equipment that relies on controlled substances and restrict the movement of regulated materials to and from countries that are not parties to the Montreal Protocol.
Businesses must obtain prior approval from Oman’s Environment Authority before disposing of or destroying covered substances or equipment containing them.
Implications for Fire Protection Companies
Mobile fire-extinguishing equipment is among the product categories covered by the regulation, alongside refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment and aerosol products.
Fire protection manufacturers, importers, distributors and maintenance providers should assess whether their products or operations fall within the new requirements. Particular attention should be given to the substances used in covered equipment, import documentation, labelling and end-of-life disposal procedures.
Companies involved in cross-border equipment supply may also need to review their sourcing arrangements and confirm that the required permits and supporting documentation are in place before shipments enter Oman.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Administrative fines apply to violations, with penalties doubled for repeat offences.
Businesses handling regulated substances and equipment should therefore review their compliance procedures and ensure that relevant staff understand the applicable permit, reporting and disposal requirements.
Environmental Compliance and the Montreal Protocol
The new regulation forms part of Oman’s efforts to meet its obligations under the Montreal Protocol, the international agreement designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out ozone-depleting substances.
For Africa’s fire and security sector, the development is relevant to companies trading with Oman and to businesses monitoring changes in international environmental requirements affecting fire protection products.
As environmental regulation increasingly influences equipment selection, supply chains and disposal practices, manufacturers and service providers should remain alert to changes in the rules governing the substances used in fire-extinguishing systems.
