United Arab Emirates
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62. Since 2005 the ESMA has been the UAE national enquiry point for standards information; it represents the UEA in regional and international conferences and organizations. The ESMA is a member of several international standards organizations including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO), the Arab Industrial Development and Mining Organization (AIDMO), the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), and Codex Alimentarius. 63. The ESMA is responsible for metrology and calibration in the UAE. Under the national system of measurement (NMS), established in 200685, the ESMA is responsible for regulating the use of measuring instruments. The authorities indicated that the ESMA is planning to establish a National Metrology Institute. 64. The UAE has implemented the Emirates Quality Mark Scheme since 2007 to ensure that products comply with the approved standards and to give consumers confidence in the products that carry this mark for sale locally or exported. The Emirates Quality Mark, granted to a certain product by the ESMA, proves that the product meets the approved standards and its production system meets the quality management system requirements as per ISO 9001. The conformity assessment process for granting the mark verifies that the approved standard is implemented, which is similar to granting a product conformity certificate. 65. In 2004, the ESMA started operating the National Accreditation System (ENAS) in accordance with Decision of Council of Ministers No. 22 of 1 June 2004. Institutions seeking accreditation must to apply to the ESMA; after an assessment, the ESMA decides whether to grant; accreditation. Once accredited institutions are surveyed. The authorities have noted that accreditation in the UAE follows international requirements and procedures, and that the ENAS operates in accordance with the international practices for accreditation bodies (ISO/IEC 17011). In the context of this Review, the authorities indicated that there are 31 accredited laboratories, 8 inspection bodies and 2 certification bodies in the UAE.86 66. The UAE does not implement the GCC International Conformity Certification Programme (ICCP). It implements the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) as a mandatory product certification scheme, which applies to products that affect health and safety or have an impact on the environment, such as low-voltage equipment and toys.87 The authorities indicated that the ECAS' aim is to ensure the safety and quality of products and to protect consumers. The ECAS may also cover products subject to (voluntary) standards for which interested parties may request certification.88 The conformity assessment process verifies that the product complies with the approved standards and an effective quality management system is implemented. The process involves sampling and testing products, as well as visiting and auditing the factory to ensure that products and system requirements are 85
Cabinet Resolution No. 31, 2006. For more information, see: http://www.esma.ae/en-US/OurServices/ENAS/ Pages/CABs.aspx. 87 The "mandatory" products are: electric storage water heaters; electric power extension cords and adaptors; electric irons; microwave ovens; washing machines and clothes dryers; electric cooking stoves; refrigerators, chillers and freezers; room air-conditioner; household cooking appliances; electromechanical kitchen appliances; vacuum cleaners; fans and fan systems including air-purifiers. ESMA online information. Viewed at: http://www.esma.ae/SiteCollectionDocuments/ECAS/EMPro.pdf. 88 ESMA online information. Viewed at: http://www.esma.ae/en-us/ourservices/ecas/Pages/ Home.aspx. 86