Penalty for violating the ban on using the names of God on commercial packaging in Saudi Arabia
Legal researcher Abdulmalik Al-Fassi explained that the directive issued by the Ministry of Commerce , which stipulates the permanent prohibition of printing or writing the beautiful names of God or Quranic verses on commercial bags and packages, falls within the original regulatory powers of the ministry aimed at controlling commercial activity and protecting societal and religious values.
Protecting religious sanctity and preventing its desecration
Al-Fassi pointed out that this decision has dimensions that extend beyond purely regulatory aspects, as it primarily aims to protect sacred religious texts from unintentional disrespect. It is well known that commercial bags and packaging are temporary consumables, destined for destruction or disposal in waste containers. Therefore, the presence of the name of God or Quranic verses on them is incompatible with the reverence due to these sacred texts, reflecting the keenness of the Kingdom's legislative and regulatory bodies to uphold the sanctity of God's rites.
Legal basis for the violation
In elaborating on the legal aspects, Al-Fassi explained that violating this directive would subject the establishment to legal accountability under the Commercial Names Law. He based this on Article 7 of the law, specifically paragraph (c), which prohibits the use of any trade name containing religious, political, or military connotations, or any content that violates public order and morals. He emphasized that using religious texts in a commercial and consumer context constitutes a clear violation of this legal provision, which aims to protect sacred symbols from commercial exploitation or inappropriate use.
Impact on the commercial sector and compliance
This decision requires businesses, factories, and packaging suppliers to review their current and future designs to ensure they are free of any religious or sacred expressions. This measure is expected to raise the level of regulatory compliance among companies and enhance the social responsibility of the private sector. Furthermore, adherence to these standards will prevent businesses from incurring losses due to product recalls or reprinting of non-compliant packaging.
Expected penalties for violators
Regarding the penalties for non-compliance, Al-Fassi stressed that procedures usually begin gradually, as regulatory authorities may be satisfied with a warning the first time, obliging the establishment to correct the situation. However, in the event of insistence on the violation or its repetition, financial fines are imposed, the value of which is estimated based on the seriousness and nature of the violation, in accordance with the regulations of penalties approved in the Ministry of Commerce, stressing that the freedom of trade is always restricted by respect for sovereign regulations and instructions.
