Carcinogenic product banned

RIYADH, 22 April — Commerce Minister Osama Faqeeh ordered a ban on the import of commodities containing the carcinogenic substance amiante, a French variation of asbestos that has been banned in the Kingdom since 1998. A circular calling for the ban has been sent to the Customs Department, the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization, the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, all quality control laboratories and the branches of the Commerce Ministry in various parts of the Kingdom.