Doha:The General Tax Authority has announced the launch of electronic testing procedures for sweetened drinks via the Dhareeba platform, set to begin on November 1, 2026. This initiative will allow certificates of analysis required for the registration of sweetened drinks to be accepted electronically, facilitating direct integration with laboratories accredited by the Ministry of Public Health and registered with the Authority, eliminating the need for manual uploads by taxpayers.

According to Qatar News Agency, the new procedures require taxpayers to submit a product registration application through the Dhareeba platform. Following this, a sample must be provided to an accredited laboratory for the necessary tests to determine the types and quantities of sugars and sweeteners. Once laboratory approval is obtained, the testing data and certificate of analysis will be automatically transmitted to the Dhareeba platform.

The electronic integration aims to streamline the Authority's operations by enabling its staff to access test results directly, thus speeding up application processing, minimizing manual procedures, and enhancing the accuracy of data received from laboratories. This development is in line with the expansion of the excise tax scope on sweetened drinks and is part of the Authority's broader efforts to enhance electronic integration with relevant entities, automate product registration processes, and advance its digital services. These improvements are expected to save time and effort while improving the overall taxpayer experience.