Abu Dhabi-UAE: 1 May, 2017 – Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), the entity responsible for developing the quality infrastructure in the emirate, announced the endorsement of the first batch of affiliates of its Quality Partner Programme comprising applications from 63 commercial establishments in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. 

The initiative promotes voluntary compliance with the regulations concerning controlled products and legal measuring instruments. The programme accepts membership applications from interested parties across six categories: importers, commercial agents, factories, specialised stores, general stores, and measuring instrument dealers. 

The evaluation process includes several stages. Upon reviewing the history of the establishment and verifying its credentials through an electronic link to the Department of Economic Development’s commercial licensing system, QCC monitors the candidate’s compliance with the membership requirements over six months. Companies that have submitted all the necessary documentation, have not committed any violations through selling withdrawn products, use measuring instruments that carry the relevant metrological verification marks, and have passed the field inspection are entitled to become members. Non-compliant applicants get an opportunity to rectify any discrepancies within a specified timeframe and request re-inspection. 

QCC launched the Quality Partner Programme as part of its efforts to protect the community from the risks associated with the non-compliance of controlled products, legal measuring instruments and pre-packaged products with the relevant regulations. Based on the principles of trust and partnership between QCC and traders, the initiative promotes shared responsibility and collaboration, and ensures the commitment of all parties in creating a fairer and safer market. 

Mohammed Helal Al Balooshi, Director of Marketing and Communications at QCC, said: 'QCC launched its Quality Partner Programme with the aim of reaching optimal levels of market surveillance through implementing measures to protect traders and consumers alike. Where traditional surveillance practices are no longer sufficient, it is time to come up with innovative methods to keep up with the rapid developments in the market that is witnessing strong growth in terms of trade volumes and diversity of products.'

He added: “With a focus on compliance management and post-audit methodology, our Quality Partner Programme encourages voluntary compliance of traders with international regulations and safety standards. The initiative motivates members to ensure product safety and safeguard the markets from potential risks.”

The primary role of the market surveillance at QCC is to enforce strict compliance with all regulations pertaining to product safety and quality. This is achieved through implementing effective mechanisms to validate compliance of products traded in the Abu Dhabi market with international standards.

Established in 2009, the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council seeks to raise the quality of the emirate’s exports and locally traded products while protecting the interests of consumers and supporting the UAE’s competitive economy. QCC empowers regulators to establish and implement product safety, legal metrology and conformity schemes. Furthermore, the Council sets guidelines and benchmarks to verify that the products manufactured and traded in Abu Dhabi conform to the highest quality standards.