His Excellency Dr Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad: Authorization is key step towards developing federal measurement infrastructure to serve industry sectors

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 9 May, 2017 – In line with the directives of the visionary leadership of the UAE to enhance collaboration, coordination and integration among federal and local government entities, Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) and Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) today signed an agreement to authorize Emirates Metrology Institute as the national institute of measurement in the UAE.

The agreement was signed by His Excellency Dr Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad, Minister of State and Chairman of ESMA, and His Excellency Khalifa Mohammed Faris Al Mazrouei, Chairman of QCC in the presence of His Excellency Abdulallah Abdelkader Moeini, Director General, ESMA and His Excellency Dr Helal Humaid Al Kaabi, Acting Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council.

Under the agreement, the standards used by EMI for the measurement of mass, volume, density, temperature, humidity, length angle, force, pressure, torque, electrical quantities and time-frequency will be recognized as the national standards of measurement. This will allow the country to enable accurate measurements in manufacturing and research to cope with the ongoing progress in economic and productive segments, even while meeting the dynamic requirements of the industrial sector. 

Headlining the press conference to announce the agreement, His Excellency Dr Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad, Minister of State and Chairman of ESMA, said: “The signing of this agreement will support the development of measurement science locally, and ensure a diversified, productive and futuristic economy in the UAE. An advanced economy is a critical step in helping us achieve the objectives of the UAE Vision 2021 that aims to prepare the nation for the post-oil era.”

He added: “The provision of a sophisticated infrastructure for measurement and calibration services is key to serving all economic sectors, especially the industrial and productive sectors that seek to adopt the best international standards. This will facilitate the smooth movement of goods and merchandise between the UAE and its regional and global partners. The decision to authorize Emirates Metrology Institute to act as the National Metrology Institute was taken following the technical assessment of the massive measurement capabilities available at EMI’s laboratories.

His Excellency Dr Rashid also pointed out: “The UAE’s recent affiliation to the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) will help the country meet its calibration and measurement requirements locally, especially in the view of the rapid industrial, commercial and urban development witnessed by the country in the past decade. In joining forces to ensure the accuracy of measurements in the country’s markets, QCC and ESMA are resolved to increase the competitiveness of our products in the regional and international markets, while ensuring the quality of these products for local consumption.” 

For his part, His Excellency Khalifa Mohammed Faris Al Mazrouei, Chairman of QCC, said: “EMI was set up to translate the vision of wise leadership to enable the quality and metrology infrastructure in the country to support its industrial development and enhance the quality and competitiveness of national products in local and international markets. Serving as a national reference institution in metrology and its various applications, EMI promotes compliance with quality standards and enhances the competitive advantages of our strategic industries, enabling them to become leaders in their domains at regional and international levels.”

He added: “As one of the most important scientific establishments of its kind in the country, EMI possesses unique expertise and advanced technical capabilities in metrology on par with the most prestigious international institutes. Among its most significant features are the modern metrology laboratories that meet the highest international standards and specifications in this area. The Institute also has attracted top international experts and employs a qualified national workforce at its different metrology laboratories.”

“EMI plays an instrumental role in supporting the UAE Vision 2021 and the Abu Dhabi Plan . It also helps the country attract foreign investment, remove trade barriers and improve the quality and competitiveness the UAE products in local and global markets.”

Al Mazrouei added: “We are pleased with the efforts to enable EMI to improve its offerings to keep with the scientific, economic and industrial developments in the country. The UAE Government’s unwavering support has allowed the institute to play an active role in articulating the country’s vision of building a competitive and knowledge-based economy. Through encouraging research and development, EMI helps the country achieve leading positions across global competitiveness indicators in entrepreneurship and development.”