Qatar calls for licence on energy drinks

LICENCE PLAN: Distributors of energy drinks will need authorisation to import into Qatar.

Distributors of energy drinks in Qatar will soon have to obtain a licence from the National Health Authority to import them into the country.

Dr Mohamed Saif al-Kuwari, head of the Qatar Metrology and Specifications Authority (QMSA), said that a new regulation - expected to be introduced by early 2009 - would make it obligatory for dealers to obtain a licence from the National Health Authority (NHA).

“We have already done with the new specification which is the first of its kind in the world,” he is quoted as saying in Gulf Times on Tuesday.

He said it was expected to be approved by the Technical Council of the GCC Standardisation Organisation by the end of this year.

Al-Kuwari said that once the specification was approved, it would not be permissible for distributors to import any energy drinks into Qatar without getting a licence from the National Health Authority.

Distributors will be asked to list the ingredients on the label with clear indications of any possible side effects.

“I know that the new specification will raise controversy and objections, but we are resolved to go ahead with it,” he added.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM