Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 23 April 2018:  Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), the entity responsible for developing quality infrastructure in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, has announced the Q1 inspection results for products, measurement scales and pre-packaged products in Abu Dhabi markets, from January 1st to March 31st, 2018. 

During the ongoing inspections, carried out by the Council’s market surveillance team, (18,672) samples of various products being traded were inspected, including toys, electrical appliances, tires and tobacco products and household cleaning products, where a total of 56 different samples were selected and sent to internationally accredited laboratories for examination and to ensure compliance with quality and safety standards. 

The results of the inspection found that 23 samples conformed to the requirements of quality and safety, and 16 products were non-compliant. Based on that, corrective actions were taken on 12 products totalling 15,666 units, and 5 products were recalled with 280 units found to be not complying with quality and safety requirements. 

As part of its continuing efforts to provide a safer and fairer market in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and within the authorization agreement signed by the Council and the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology, QCC verified the accuracy of 1,220 measurement scales and accurate packaged quantities for 2,130 pre-packaged units of 49 food products from factories, suppliers and markets in Abu Dhabi during the first quarter of 2018.

The measurement scales verified included retail scales, jewelry and precious metal scales, oud and Arabian perfume scales, weighing platforms, trade scales used is shipping activities by companies like (Aramex and DHL) and petroleum meters at ADNOC Distribution service stations.

The measurement scales that did not comply with requirements were withdrawn until maintenance and re-verification took place in order to ensure compliance with all mandatory requirements in accordance with the regulations for each scale.

Sultan Al Mehairi, Director of Information Services & Engagement at QCC, said: “: “The Council is keen to apply quality standards and regulations to the highest international standards and ensure that suppliers, workers and traders in all sectors comply with these standards.

The Council also encourages companies and employees in the industrial and commercial sectors to apply for the ‘AD Trustmark’, which increases the confidence of customers in their products and contributes to the Council's efforts to establish Abu Dhabi as a world-class investment destination with quality infrastructure.”

Al Mehairi added: “Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council has specialized technical teams and inspectors with the rights of judicial seizure who carry out daily verifications of measurement scales and pre-packaged products in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.  

QCC is the first Government entity in Abu Dhabi that is accredited with the International Standard ISO/IEC 17020:2012, which in turn reflects the commitment of the Council to the Emirate's leadership in achieving the vision of the UAE Vision 2021

He added: “The Council works to establish transparency within the market and takes into account the interests of both consumers and sellers.

The Council also works on ensuring the accuracy of the readings of scales, the quantity of pre-packaged products, and their conformity with local and international standards.

Scales must conform to specifications, and the gold verification mark, “Verified”, must be used correctly on all measuring scales to ensure the accuracy of weights, sizes and quantities to achieve consumer protection.”

Inspections included checks on various home appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines, kitchen appliances including electric kettles, deep fryers, grills and ovens, as well as personal care products, such as electric shavers.

QCC inspectors verified the compliance of the products with quality and safety standards as well as technical specifications.

They also checked whether the appliances held the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) certificate issued by the Emirates Standardization and Metrology Authority (ESMA).  

In addition, requirements stipulate that all electrical appliances should be fitted with a three-pin plug which is awarded by the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) to the least energy-consuming home appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines and dryers is indicated by the number of stars on a label.

The more stars the appliance has, the more energy-efficient it is considered to be.

Inspections were also carried out on children's toys, tobacco products, household cleaning products and tires for their compliance with quality and safety requirements according to their specifications and technical regulations.

Inspectors issue warnings to outlets retailing non-compliant products and temporarily withdraw them from circulation until corrective measures are adopted to ensure conformance before allowing them to resume sales.

The Council continues the process of verification of fuel meters at ADNOC Distribution service stations across Abu Dhabi in close coordination with the company.  

Of the 2,062 meters targeted during the inspection, 99 per cent were found to be compliant with quality and safety standards.

Following the inspections, ADNOC Distribution performs any necessary adjustments on the remaining meters to ensure their accuracy.

In addition, QCC inspectors visited manufacturers of pre-packaged food items and examined 2,130 containers of 49 products including liquids like milk, and yoghurt, and solids such as cheese, baked foodstuff, biscuits and other types of packaged food.

The Council urges consumers to look for the gold verification seals on scales before making any purchases and to report the use of instruments that have a red seal, indicating non-compliance, to the Abu Dhabi Government Contact Centre at 800 555.

The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council was established in 2009 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, metrology and conformity schemes.

The Council also sets guidelines and benchmarks to verify that products manufactured and traded in Abu Dhabi conform to the highest quality standards.