Article 5 of the Saudi Handicrafts and Manual Industries Law
المادة 5 من نظام الحرف والصناعات اليدوية · الفصل الثاني: القيد في السجل الوطني للحرفيين، والترخيص الحرفي
The article refers to the Regulations the controls for craftspeople who represent the Kingdom in conferences, events and exhibitions, and prohibits such representation before those controls are met.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- دون إخلال بالأنظمة والقرارات ذات العلاقة، تحدد اللائحة ضوابط مشاركة الحرفيين الذين يمثلون المملكة في المؤتمرات والملتقيات والفعاليات والمعارض الداخلية والخارجية.
2- لا يجوز للحرفي تمثيل المملكة في المؤتمرات والملتقيات والفعاليات والمعارض الداخلية والخارجية؛ إلا بعد استيفاء الضوابط الواردة في الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة.
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 5 explained in plain English
This article regulates a special case: a craftsperson's participation in events as a representative of the Kingdom. It has two paragraphs:
Paragraph 1: the Regulations set the controls for the participation of craftspeople who represent the Kingdom in:
- Conferences.
- Forums.
- Events.
- Exhibitions, both domestic and international.
This is without prejudice to the relevant laws and decisions, meaning the Regulations' controls do not cancel what other laws or decisions provide on this matter.
Paragraph 2: a craftsperson may not represent the Kingdom at these events until the controls in paragraph 1 are met.
Note that the article concerns representation, that is, taking part in the name of the Kingdom; by its text it does not address a craftsperson taking part in an exhibition in a personal capacity without representing the Kingdom. As for the controls themselves, the article does not state them but refers them entirely to the Regulations.
Under Article 1, a craftsperson is any natural or legal person who practices a craft or handicraft. This article is related to Article 4, which allows a craftsperson to apply for entry in the National Register of Craftspeople and requires the craft license for commercial practice, and to Article 6, which requires that an applicant for the craft license be entered in the Register.
Anyone who wishes to represent the Kingdom at an exhibition or event should check the controls in the Regulations.
Practical example
A craftsperson from Najran who specializes in heritage daggers is invited to take part in an international exhibition outside the Kingdom within a pavilion representing the Kingdom. Under this article, he may not do so until he meets the controls the Regulations set for craftspeople who represent the Kingdom.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 5 of the Saudi Handicrafts and Manual Industries Law
Can any craftsperson represent the Kingdom at exhibitions?
No. A craftsperson may not represent the Kingdom at domestic or international conferences, forums, events and exhibitions until the controls the Regulations set are met.
Where do I find the controls for craftspeople representing the Kingdom?
The Law's Implementing Regulations set them, without prejudice to the relevant laws and decisions.
More articles on Craftspeople's Duties and Product Quality
- Article 7
The article requires craftspeople and those who trade in handmade craft products to comply with the quality standards for craft and handicraft products that the Ministry adopts.
على الحرفي، أو من يقوم بالاتجار بالمنتجات الحرفية اليدوية، الالتزام بمعايير جودة منتجات الحرف والصناعات اليدوية التي تعتمدها الوزارة.
- Article 8
The article prohibits importing the handmade craft products that the Regulations specify, or making models of them.
يحظر استيراد المنتجات الحرفية اليدوية التي تحددها اللائحة أو صناعة نماذج لها.
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.