Saturday 29 / November / 2025
In Oman, misleading advertising is not viewed as a routine commercial issue it is a punishable offence. The Consumer Protection Law, issued under Royal Decree 66/2014, provides strict rules to ensure that consumers are not deceived by inaccurate, exaggerated, or incomplete information in any form of promotion or advertisement. The law recognises that misleading advertising undermines consumer trust, distorts market fairness, and exposes the public to potential harm.
Speaking to the Times of Oman, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, Founding Partner of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm, stated that “the law prohibits any form of misleading, or false representation of goods and services. Advertisers and suppliers must provide accurate, complete, and truthful information, especially regarding price, components, origin, expiry dates, and safety instructions. Any deviation whether intentional or negligent is considered a legal violation.”
He added that “misleading advertising includes any act that directly or indirectly deceives the consumer, whether through packaging, digital marketing, promotional offers, or verbal claims. The law insists on transparency and clarity to protect consumers from financial loss, unsafe products, or decisions taken under false impressions. This obligation is essential in a market where products and services continue to diversify.”
“Violations carry strict penalties. Misleading advertising falls within offences punishable by imprisonment of not less than three months and up to three years, or fines ranging from OMR2,000 to OMR50,000. In cases where the violation results in death, the minimum imprisonment term increases to five years,” he explained.
He emphasised that “the Consumer Protection Authority is empowered to seize goods, inspect premises, order the cessation of advertisements, and initiate legal action. The authority’s enforcement powers ensure that deceptive promotional practices are quickly addressed and prevented from reaching consumers.”
With the increasing flow of goods into the local market, Oman’s strict enforcement policy acts both as a deterrent and a safeguard. By criminalising misleading advertising, the law safeguards consumer rights, strengthens market integrity, and promotes fair competition across the Sultanate, he concluded.
(Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm ([email protected]), (+968 244 87 600) was established 18 years ago and is serving clients through its offices in Muscat and Sohar, as well as operating on a request basis in other areas. It offers legal representation across a wide range of practice areas that include Labour Law, Corporate, Commercial, Contracts, Banking and Finance, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Insurance, Maritime Law, Construction and Engineering Contracts, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property and more).
