MoCI issues circular regarding noise levels generated by cars, motorcycles

Qatar

The Consumer Protection and Combating Commercial Fraud Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued circular No 3 of 2023, which specifies the obligations of car and motorcycle dealers and maintenance service providers regarding the noise levels generated by their vehicles.

The ministry stated that in line with Law No 8 of 2008 and its amendments on consumer protection, which determines the obligations of car and motorcycle dealerships and maintenance service providers, and upon explaining how these obligations are fulfilled in accordance with the law’s provisions and regulations, the service providers must adhere to and ensure that the noise levels generated by cars and motorcycles conform to the Qatari standard specifications issued by the Qatar General Organization for Standards and Metrology.

According to the ministry, the State of Qatar implements the following regulations and specifications to control noise levels:

1) Gulf Standard Specifications: Cars — Noise Pollution (GSO1624/2002), mechanical products specification sector.

2) Gulf Standard Specifications: Motorcycles — Noise Pollution (GSO ECE 41-1:2007), mechanical products specification sector.

The Ministry pointed out that a car or motorcycle noise level should not exceed the limits (in dB) stated in the specifications. These regulations apply to both gasoline- or diesel-powered engines, and the noise must be measured while the engine is on and the vehicle is in motion. Any violations of the regulated noise levels are deemed explicit violations of the provisions of Articles (5), (6), and (13) of Law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection.

The ministry noted that violating the circular entails a fine of no more than QR1mn or imprisonment for up to two years and administrative closure of business for no more than three months.

Furthermore, the ministry outlined the corrective measures that relevant service providers and car dealers must take, including suspending the sale of car and motorcycle spare parts that cause sound amplification resulting in noise pollution, recalling cars that have been equipped with such spare parts to remodify them and remove all spare parts that violate the State’s standard specifications.

Car and motorcycle dealers must also consider the requirements of Decree-Law No. (19) of 2007 on the Promulgation of the amended Traffic Law and Decree-Law No. (30) of 2022 on the Promulgation of the amended Environment Protection Law, in terms of the provisions that regulate and reduce noise pollution.

The ministry further notes that car and motorcycle dealerships and all relevant maintenance centres will be given 30-60 days, effective from the circular’s issuance date, to ensure compliance.

The ministry said it will launch a joint campaign entitled 'Noise Pollution from Cars and Motorcycles'in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior (MoI) within one month of releasing the circular.

The campaign aims to ensure that all dealerships and maintenance centres adhere to the regulations stated by the Qatari specification standards. and it will not tolerate any violations of the obligations stipulated in Law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection.