Article 28 of the Saudi Competition Law
المادة 28 من نظام المنافسة
The article provides that the Competition Law takes effect 180 days after the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يُعمَل بهذا النظام بعد (مائة وثمانين) يوماً من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 28 explained in plain English
This article specifies the effective date of the Competition Law, that is, the day its provisions begin to apply.
- The Law takes effect 180 days after the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
The purpose of this period is to give establishments and the bodies concerned time to prepare and adjust their positions in line with the provisions of the Law, such as reviewing agreements with competitors and distributors and getting ready for the requirements of notifying economic concentration.
Connected to it is Article 27, which requires the Board to issue the Implementing Regulations within 180 days of the date of publication of the Law in the Official Gazette, to take effect from the date the Law takes effect, so the Law and its Regulations start to apply at the same time.
This article does not state the date of publication itself, so the effective date is counted from the actual date of publication in the Official Gazette. The Board tasked with issuing the Regulations is, under Article 1, the board of directors of the General Authority for Competition.
If you have a matter whose ruling depends on the date the Law took effect, you are advised to consult a lawyer specialized in competition and commercial cases.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 28 of the Saudi Competition Law
When did the Competition Law start to apply?
180 days after the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Do the Implementing Regulations apply from the same date?
Yes. Article 27 provides that the Regulations take effect from the date the Law takes effect.
More articles on General Provisions of the Competition Law
- Article 1
The article defines the key terms of the Competition Law, such as establishment, market, dominant position, economic concentration, the Authority and the Committee.
يقصد بالمصطلحات الآتية -أينما وردت في هذا النظام- المعاني المبينة أمام كل منها، ما لم يقتض السياق غير ذلك: النظام: نظام المنافسة. الهيئة: الهيئة العامة للمنافسة
- Article 2
The article explains that the Competition Law aims to protect and encourage fair competition and combat monopolistic practices, in order to improve the market environment and develop the economy.
يهدف النظام إلى حماية المنافسة الــعادلة وتشجيعها، ومكافحة ومنع الممارسات الاحتكارية التي تؤثر على المنافسة المشروعة أو على مصلحة المستهلك؛ بما يؤدي إلى تحسين ب
- Article 3
The article sets the scope of the Competition Law as establishments inside the Kingdom and external practices affecting it, excludes exclusively authorized government bodies, and makes the Authority the primary competent body.
1- مع عدم الاخلال بما ورد في الأنظمة الأخرى, تطبق أحكام النظام على ما يأتي: أ- جميع المنشآت داخل المملكة. ب- الممارسات التي تقع خارج المملكة, ذات الأثر المخل با
- Article 4
The article provides that prices of goods and services are subject to market rules and free competition, except those priced by a Council of Ministers decision or under a law.
تكون أسعار السلع والخدمات وفقاً لقواعد السوق ومبادئ المنافسة الحرة، عدا أسعار السلع والخدمات التي تحدد بناءً على قرار من مجلس الوزراء، أو بموجب نظام.
- Article 26
The article provides that the current Competition Law replaces the previous Competition Law issued by Royal Decree No. M/25 dated 4/5/1425 AH.
يحل النظام محل نظام المنافسة، الصادر بالمرسوم الملكي رقم (م / 25) وتاريخ 4 / 5 / 1425هـ.
- Article 27
The article requires the Authority's Board to issue the Implementing Regulations of the Competition Law within 180 days of the Law's publication in the Official Gazette, to take effect from the date the Law takes effect.
يصدر المجلس اللائحة خلال (مائة وثمانين) يوماً من تاريخ نشر النظام في الجريدة الرسمية، ويعمل بها من تاريخ نفاذه.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.