Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, justified the use of French instead of Arabic on the website of the Moroccan Standards Institute, citing limited resources in response to demands from several parliamentarians to prioritize Arabic on the institute’s official site.
The minister explained that rapid technological changes require the issuance of 1,200 to 1,350 standards annually, which equates to an average of six standards per day, necessitating between 200 and 250 working days each year.
During the discussion of draft law No. 75.24 amending law No. 12.06 related to standardization, conformity certification, and accreditation before the Production Sectors Committee at the House of Representatives, Mezzour confirmed that the technicians involved in these processes have limited capabilities and greater proficiency in French than in Arabic, presenting an additional challenge in the translation process.
He noted that the institute is attempting to translate the standards into Arabic in compliance with constitutional requirements; however, the lack of resources makes achieving this goal difficult.
Mezzour stated that the ministry is working to develop available capacities to enhance the institute’s effectiveness, contributing to consumer protection and the national industrial system while respecting constitutional commitments.
He urged parliament to support an increase in the sector’s budget, enabling the institute to expand its capabilities to translate standards into Arabic and, potentially later, into Amazigh, which would simplify support and facilitation processes.
He emphasized that, while the institute exhibits economic and technical efficiency, focusing on translation amid limited resources could reduce productivity by approximately 50 to 60 percent, negatively impacting consumer protection and support for the industrial system.
