Oman: rules and approvals
In February 2026 the TRA launched a Self-Declaration of Conformity service for importers, so the approval route for some products is changing.
The IS-04Z1 is an intrinsically safe smartphone designed for Zone 1 and Zone 21, aimed at the field operators, technicians, inspection engineers and HSE teams who work inside Oman’s classified areas. This page sets out how an explosion proof smartphone supply route to Oman will work for the IS-04Z1, and what is and is not available before launch.
Pre-launch · certification in progress · Launching Q4 2026
Short answer. An explosion proof smartphone for Oman cannot be bought yet: the SAMS IS-04Z1 is pre-launch (certification in progress, no certificate issued), and the datasheet, certification schedule and safe-area evaluation units are available now.
Current position: certification in progress, nothing issued, launch targeted for Q4 2026. Operator approval runs on its own timeline. Certification status. Place facts reviewed October 2026.
| Check | What to look for | IS-04Z1 today |
|---|---|---|
| Protection concept | Flameproof (Ex d) or intrinsic safety (Ex i) | Intrinsic safety, level ib |
| Zone suitability | Zone 1 gas and Zone 21 dust | Design target for Zone 1 and 21 |
| Certificate | Number, issuing body and schedule of conditions | In progress; not issued |
| Where it applies | Oman: Nimr, Harweel, Fahud | Classified by the site operator |

An intrinsically safe Android smartphone designed for Zone 1 and Zone 21 hazardous areas in Oman. It is pre-launch: IECEx, ATEX and NEC 500 certification is in progress ahead of the Q4 2026 launch.
Operators and classified areas drawn from the SAMS Oman market guide.
In February 2026 the TRA launched a Self-Declaration of Conformity service for importers, so the approval route for some products is changing.
The Port of Salalah, managed by APM Terminals, is a major transshipment hub, and the adjacent Salalah Free Zone is developing heavy industry.
The first economic oil find came in 1962 at Yibal, and the first oil consignment was exported in 1967.
Oman completed shutdown of its 3G networks in July 2025 and upgraded to 4G and 5G, which matters for choosing phone models and connectivity.
“Explosion proof” is the phrase most buyers use for equipment that may be taken into a classified hazardous area. Strictly, it covers several protection concepts: a flameproof enclosure (Ex d) contains an internal explosion, while intrinsic safety (Ex i) limits electrical energy so that an ignition cannot start. Phones are normally intrinsically safe, because a flameproof handset would be too heavy to carry all shift.
The IS-04Z1 uses intrinsic safety, with a marking target of Ex ib IIC T4, and is designed for Zone 1 and Zone 21. It is pre-launch, certification is in progress and no certificate has been issued.
In Oman. People at Fahud, Yibal or Sohar say explosion proof for anything used near hydrocarbons, but the concepts differ. Flameproof Ex d suits heavy equipment, while the IS-04Z1 uses intrinsic safety to limit energy. That suits a handset carried on a field walkround at Marmul or a visit to the Duqm refinery.
Nothing can be bought for Oman today: the IS-04Z1 is pre-launch, and SAMS will supply end users through authorised distributors once certificates exist. What a buyer can do now is take the specification, ask for the written certification schedule and arrange a safe-area evaluation, so that the right local channel contacts you at launch.
The technical specification, marking target and conditions of use, sent by email.
Which certificates are in progress, in what order, and what is still to be confirmed.
Evaluation units can be used for connectivity, MDM enrolment and workflow testing outside classified areas.
Tell us the site, zone, gas group and quantity so the right authorised distributor can contact you.
Not today. Until the certificates are issued the IS-04Z1 stays out of classified areas, and until launch there is nothing to purchase. You can ask for the datasheet and the certification schedule, or book a safe-area evaluation unit.
There is no list price yet. SAMS gives indicative pre-launch pricing in writing, against a stated quantity and site, and does not commit to a lead time before certification completes.
It is intrinsically safe (marking target Ex ib IIC T4), which is the usual way to make a phone for hazardous areas. It is not a flameproof (Ex d) design, and certification is still in progress.
The market guide for Oman covers Fahud, Yibal, Marmul, Qarn Alam, among others. Site-level pages are linked below.
Through authorised distributors once certificates exist. Until then SAMS can send the datasheet and certification schedule and arrange safe-area evaluation units.
Muscat's Mina Al Fahal and Rusayl, Salalah's free zone, and the Duqm special economic zone, along with fields in the interior. Each is managed by a different authority.
Petroleum Development Oman handles most crude and gas, with the government holding 60 percent and Shell and others sharing the rest. Other operators run separate blocks. PDO has its own contractor approval system.
It is designed to pair with a personal gas detector over Bluetooth so the two work together. Sour gas developments such as Harweel already require detection as routine, so confirm the pairing and alarm procedure with the operator's HSE team before adding the handset.
Other guides for Oman, other places in Oman, and the pages behind them.
Share the site details and quantity. You will get the datasheet and the certification schedule back by email; pricing is indicative only until launch.
Name the site and the operator and we will send what is available before launch.