The Iraqi Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities has announced plans to introduce new government regulations aimed at organizing the antiques market and preventing the sale of counterfeit artifacts. The ministry also clarified the sole authority authorized to produce plaster replicas of antiquities for scientific and commercial purposes.

Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Al-Ulayawi stated that the Antiquities and Heritage Law grants the Department of Museums exclusive authority to manufacture plaster replicas of artifacts. As the official custodian of original pieces, the department possesses detailed knowledge of their technical and formal specifications, ensuring that any replicas conform to approved scientific standards.

He explained that the Department of Museums operates a specialized workshop dedicated to producing replicas for academic research, educational purposes, and regulated commercial sale as cultural souvenirs. Any activity by antique shops or bazaars outside this legal framework, he stressed, constitutes a direct violation of the General Authority for Antiquities Law.

Al-Ulayawi further revealed that a coordination meeting was recently held with the Ministry of Interior to draft a set of regulatory measures governing the operation of antique shops. These forthcoming regulations are intended to control market practices, safeguard Iraq’s cultural heritage, prevent tampering with archaeological artifacts, and prohibit the circulation of counterfeit items.

He warned that trading in counterfeit artifacts exposes buyers to legal liability. Any individual found in possession of an item without an official purchase document will have the case referred to the relevant investigative authorities and specialized technical committees. The spokesperson emphasized that purchasing items directly from the Department of Museums remains the only legally recognized and officially approved channel.