JEDDAH, 18 November 2002 — The Ministry of Commerce has decided to withdraw a particular brand of cologne for babies from the market as it does not meet Saudi specifications and can be used for illegal purposes, Al-Watan reported yesterday.
The ministry has issued orders to all its branches to implement the decision with immediate effect and to take steps to punish violators.
The cologne is manufactured by a Saudi manufacturer while the label indicates that it is manufactured under the supervision of a German company.
Commerce Minister Osama Faqeeh ordered in June to investigate colognes and perfumes that are marketed in violation of the country’s specifications particularly brand names.
The minister ordered the investigators to seize any doubtful commodity and initiate legal action against erring manufacturers and sellers. The minister also proposed the setting up of a committee under the ministry to work out regulations to curb import of colognes.
