Muscat – H.E. Qais bin Mohammed bin Musa Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, has issued Ministerial Resolution No. 185/2024, introducing a regulation governing the filling and sale of LPG cylinders in Oman.
This resolution cancels previous decisions (15/88 and 11/94) and brings significant changes to the industry
Key Highlights of the Regulation:

• Starting in December 2024, consumers will need to pay a security deposit for the first time when purchasing a cooking gas cylinder.
• Within three years of the regulation coming into effect (by December 6, 2027), all existing gas cylinders will be required to be replaced with new ones made of iron with unique identification features.
• Consumers should always receive an invoice when purchasing a new gas cylinder.
• The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion will regulate and monitor the activity, while the Ministry of Energy and Minerals will oversee the sale of cylinders.
• Cylinder prices will be set by the Minister of Commerce, following approval from the Ministry of Finance.
• The regulation will come into effect 180 days after its publication, on December 6, 2024. Licensees must replace gas cylinders with iron identification cylinders within three years from this date.
  Insurance for gas cylinders:
• Consumers must pay an insurance amount determined by cylinder type, capacity, and size.
• The amount is paid to the seller, who then delivers it to the filling operator. Insurance can be recovered upon cylinder return, but will be confiscated if the cylinder is lost or misused.
  For Filling and Selling Activities:
• Licensing is mandatory for filling and selling LPG cylinders.
• The Ministry will monitor compliance and may impose penalties for violations, including fines and license suspension or cancellation.
  Administrative Penalties:
• Penalties range from written warnings to fines not exceeding RO 1,000, with license cancellation possible for repeated violations or fraudulent practices.
  The new regulation aims to enhance safety, efficiency, and accountability in the LPG cylinder industry, ensuring compliance with national standards and regulations. The licensee is required to practice the licensed activity within the geographical scope of the governorate specified in the license and not raise the selling price of the cylinder above the specified rate.