Member Article

Egypt’s Ministry of Trade and Industry has issued Decree No. 43 of 2016, which amends the rules organising the registration of factories and companies that are eligible to export their products to Egypt. The decree took effect on 15 March 2016, and replaces all previous decrees or stipulations that contradict it.

The new decree makes it mandatory for factories and companies that own registered trade marks to register with the General Organization for Export & Import Control (“GOEIC”) in order to export certain products to Egypt. These products include sugar products, chocolate, cosmetics, cutlery and kitchen utensils, watches, toys, clothing and footwear.

The effect of the new decree is that imported products will not be released unless they are produced in registered factories or imported from the proprietors of registered trade marks.

Clients that are operational in, or export their products to, Egypt should ensure that they adhere to the requirements set out in the decree to avoid their products being unnecessarily detained. The decree states that there is no deadline for registering the exporting factory or company. It also sets out the required documentation for registration, which includes a trade mark registration certificate and an accredited certificate proving that the factory applies a quality control system.

Ferosa-Fae Hassan is a candidate attorney in ENSafrica’s intellectual property department.

Reviewed by Manisha Bugwandeen-Doorasamy, director in ENSafrica’s intellectual property department.