Yemen: Cabinet Decree No. (31) of 1446 AH - Boycott of Goods

Scope and Impact on Certification

Cabinet Decree No. (31) of 1446 AH (2024/2025) establishes a formal mandate for the boycott of goods originating from the United States of America and Israel. This regulation directly impacts the certification and importation of radio and telecommunications equipment. The decree specifically identifies the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology as a key enforcement body, meaning that any ICT or radio device manufactured in or branded by the restricted jurisdictions is prohibited from obtaining type approval or legal entry into the Yemeni market.

Restrictions and Prohibitions

• Geographic Restrictions: A total prohibition is placed on the importation and sale of products originating from the United States of America and Israel.
• Regulatory Blocking: The Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology is instructed to take all necessary measures to prevent the licensing, certification, or technical approval of equipment from these origins.
• Component Origin: Manufacturers should be aware that devices containing significant components or intellectual property from the boycotted regions may be subject to heightened scrutiny or rejection during the conformity assessment process.

Conformity Assessment and In-Country Procedures

While this regulation does not modify the technical radio parameters (such as frequency ranges or power limits), it introduces a critical administrative layer to the conformity assessment procedure. Applicants for type approval must now provide definitive proof of origin. In-country testing or administrative review will prioritize the verification of manufacturing locations and corporate affiliation to ensure compliance with the boycott. Documentation that fails to clearly establish a non-prohibited origin will lead to the rejection of the type approval application.

Regulatory Context and Modifications

This decree serves as an official enforcement mechanism following the Extraordinary Session No. (13) of 1446 AH. It directs multiple government branches—including the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Telecommunications—to synchronize their efforts. This decree modifies existing importation and certification workflows by making "Country of Origin" a primary compliance criterion alongside traditional technical radio standards.