Shire Abdi

Hargeisa, Somaliland – The Somaliland Quality Control Authority has issued new regulations concerning the quality and shelf life of imported products. These updates revise previous standards and were officially enacted on February 16, 2025. The regulations primarily impact imported food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic products.

According to the new regulations, imported food products must have at least 60% of their shelf life remaining upon arrival at Somaliland’s borders, ports, and airports. Pharmaceuticals must retain between 50% to 60% of their shelf life upon entry, while cosmetic products must have a minimum of 50% of their shelf life remaining upon importation.

The new directive mandates that all businesses comply with these updated requirements. Any entity failing to adhere to the regulations will face legal consequences.

The Quality Control Authority emphasized that these regulations are aimed at improving consumer safety by ensuring the integrity of food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic products, thereby reducing the risks associated with expired goods. The authority also warned traders that non-compliance with the regulations would result in legal penalties.

“These regulations are crucial for safeguarding public health and consumer safety, ensuring that products entering the market maintain high quality standards,” stated the directive signed by Mukhtaar Mohamed Cali, Chairman of the Quality Control Authority.

A product’s shelf life refers to the period between its production date and expiration date, indicating its usability and suitability for consumption or application.