By the grace of Allah Almighty
We, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Based on Article (Eighteen) of the Shura Council Law, issued by Royal Order No. (A/91) dated 27/8/1412 AH.
After reviewing the Shura Council decisions No. (4/34) dated 24/3/1445 AH, No. (27/280) dated 27/10/1445 AH, and No. (33/330) dated 27/12/1446 AH.
After reviewing the Council of Ministers decision No. (157) dated 25/2/1447 AH.
We have decreed the following:
First: Approval of the Crafts and Handicrafts System, in the attached form.
Second: Granting current practicing craftsmen a period of (one year) from the date of enforcement of the system referred to in item (First) of this decree, to adjust their status in accordance with the system.
Third: It is incumbent upon His Highness the Prime Minister, the Ministers, and the heads of the concerned independent authorities – each within their jurisdiction – to implement this decree.
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
The Council of Ministers
After reviewing the correspondence received from the Royal Court No. 309 dated 1/1/1447 AH, including the telegram from His Excellency the Minister of Culture No. 2673 dated 13/11/1442 AH, regarding the draft Crafts and Handicrafts System.
After reviewing the aforementioned draft system.
After reviewing the Heritage Commission Regulation, issued by Council of Ministers decision No. (1012) dated 27/11/1445 AH.
After reviewing the minutes No. (256) dated 16/8/1444 AH, and memoranda No. (679) dated 1/3/1444 AH, No. (2891) dated 21/9/1444 AH, No. (2389) dated 2/7/1445 AH, No. (2962) dated 15/8/1445 AH, No. (4075) dated 26/11/1445 AH, No. (78) dated 4/1/1446 AH, No. (530) dated 11/2/1446 AH, No. (1188) dated 7/4/1446 AH, No. (1851) dated 26/5/1446 AH, No. (3243) dated 27/9/1446 AH, No. (173) dated 18/1/1447 AH, No. (654) dated 13/2/1447 AH, prepared by the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers.
After reviewing the minutes prepared by the Council of Economic and Development Affairs No. (46/1535/M) dated 15/10/1446 AH.
After considering the Shura Council decisions No. (4/34) dated 24/3/1445 AH, No. (27/280) dated 27/10/1445 AH, and No. (33/330) dated 27/12/1446 AH.
After reviewing the recommendation of the General Committee of the Council of Ministers No. (1942) dated 23/2/1447 AH.
It is decided as follows:
First: Approval of the Crafts and Handicrafts System, in the attached form.
Second: Granting current practicing craftsmen a period of (one year) from the date of enforcement of the system referred to in item (First) of this decision, to adjust their status in accordance with the system.
A draft Royal Decree has been prepared accordingly, its text attached hereto.
Third: Without prejudice to the competences of other government agencies, the Heritage Commission shall organize the crafts and handicrafts activity in accordance with what is stipulated in the system, and it shall have, in particular, the following:
- 1- Preparing the list of crafts and handicrafts and submitting it to the Ministry of Culture for approval.
- 2- Establishing and approving the national register of craftsmen, in coordination with the Ministry of Culture.
- 3- Preparing quality standards for crafts and handicrafts products and submitting them to the Ministry of Culture for approval.
- 4- Establishing and approving the necessary arrangements and mechanisms for exporting crafts and handicrafts products outside the Kingdom and activating local and international channels for marketing and selling crafts and handicrafts products, in agreement with the relevant authorities.
- 5- Preparing draft regulations related to training, qualifying, and classifying craftsmen, to be approved by the Board of Directors of the Heritage Commission.
- 6- Preparing apprenticeship programs and other training and knowledge transfer programs related to crafts and handicrafts, in coordination with the relevant authorities.
- 7- Implementing national projects concerned with collecting crafts and handicrafts and their products, documenting them, and proving their geographical origin.
- 8- Preparing regulations related to manufacturing and marketing souvenirs of crafts and handicrafts products and submitting them to the Ministry of Culture for approval.
- 9- Approving stores selling crafts and handicrafts products.
Fourth: The Heritage Commission shall exercise the competences and tasks stipulated in the system referred to in item (First) of this decision and in item (Third) of this decision, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and the entities affiliated with the Minister of Culture. The Minister may delegate the exercise of any of these competences and tasks to organizational units within the Ministry of Culture or entities affiliated with the Minister, in coordination with the Commission, to achieve integration in the performance of competences and tasks between the Ministry and the Commission.
Fifth: The exercise by the Board of Directors of the Heritage Commission of its authority to approve the regulations stipulated in Article (Nine) of the system referred to in item (First) of this decision shall be in agreement with the Ministry of Finance.
Prime Minister
Law of Crafts and Handicrafts Industries
Chapter 1: General Provisions
Article 1
In this Law, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings assigned thereto, unless the context requires otherwise:
Law: Handicrafts Law.
Regulations: Implementing Regulations of the Law.
Ministry: Ministry of Culture.
Minister: Minister of Culture.
Commission: Heritage Commission.
Board: Board of Directors of the Commission.
Craftsman: Any natural or legal person who engages in a handicraft.
National Register of Craftsmen: A database in which information about craftsmen, including their classifications, handicrafts, and activities, is recorded as well as any other information specified in the Regulations.
Craftsman License: A license that authorizes its holder to engage in a specific handicraft for commercial purposes or to trade primarily in handicrafts.
Article 2
For purposes of the application of this Law, a handicraft shall mean any activity which relies primarily on manual work and aims to produce items the design, shape, and artistic and decorative elements of which are derived from the inherited cultural heritage of the Kingdom’s regions, or which aims to provide services relating to handicrafts. Such activities shall be divided into the following categories:
a) Artistic or traditional handicraft production, which is any activity that aims at producing items by transforming raw materials into finished or semi-finished handicraft products, provided that more than half of the production processes are carried out by hand.
b) Handicraft service, which is any activity that aims to provide a handicraft service, including repair, maintenance, or restoration, or to provide marketing services or the like.
Article 3
This Law aims to regulate and develop the activity of handicrafts in a manner that contributes to promoting and preserving inherited national cultural heritage and protecting it from extinction as well as promoting the competitiveness of products and services, and marketing them locally and internationally.
Chapter 2: Registration in the National Register of Craftsmen and Licensing Craftsmen
Article 4
1. A craftsman may apply for registration in the National Register of Craftsmen.
2. The application for registration in the National Register of Craftsmen shall be submitted in accordance with the conditions and mechanisms specified in the Regulations.
3. No person may engage in a handicraft for commercial purposes or trade primarily in handicrafts without obtaining a craftsman license from the Commission.
Article 5
1. Without prejudice to relevant laws and decisions, the Regulations shall specify the controls governing the participation of craftsmen representing the Kingdom in conferences, forums, events, and exhibitions held within the Kingdom or abroad.
2. A craftsman may not represent the Kingdom in conferences, forums, events, and exhibitions held within the Kingdom or abroad without satisfying the controls referred to in paragraph (1) of this Article.
Article 6
1. To obtain a craftsman license, the license applicant must be registered in the National Register of Craftsmen. The Regulations shall specify any other license requirements.
2. A craftsman license shall be issued and renewed pursuant to a decision by the Commission, in accordance with the Regulations.
3. The Regulations shall specify the term and types of the craftsman license.