Initiative Seeks to Raise Consumer Confidence in Product Quality and Assure Conformity to Safety Standards
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 10 September, 2013 - Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) has launched a conformity scheme for wiring devices in the emirate,, which includes all household switches, fuses and circuit breakers. The voluntary scheme seeks to raise the confidence of consumers that products sold and distributed in Abu Dhabi and in the entire UAE market conform to specified safety standards.
Rolled-out across the emirate, the scheme mandates that these wiring devices are required to conform to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards and its UAE regulation.
Wiring devices manufacturers and suppliers that wish to receive the Trustmark must have their products tested and verified by an internationally accredited laboratory when applying for the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council's certification. Following the initial evaluation, products that gain the certificate of approval will be periodically monitored for its safety compliance and against the criteria of its scheme. A product that fulfil and conform to the evaluation will be permitted to bear the Abu Dhabi Trustmark. The certification process is available at no extra cost for the manufacturer.
The launch of the new conformity scheme comes as part of QCC's commitment to safeguarding household consumers, industries and suppliers, besides enhancing consumer trust.
Abdulla Al Khoori, acting Executive Director - Consumer and Market Services, QCC, said: “Our initiative will not only help position Abu Dhabi as a destination that regards the safety and wellbeing of its people as one of its most important priorities, it will also help build the confidence of the regional commercial sector in the products manufactured and traded in the emirate. We believe that our series of conformity schemes will additionally position Abu Dhabi at the forefront of global trade, in line with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.”
Muna Khamis Salmin, acting Director - Consumer Safety Services, QCC, said: “The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council consider the safety of residents in the emirate as a core responsibility. As part of our commitment to making the use of electrical appliances safer, we have launched a conformity scheme that eliminates the hazards such devices could trigger.”
The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council was established in 2009 to raise the quality of Abu Dhabi's exports and products traded locally. In addition to protecting the interests of the emirate's consumers, the body is mandated to support its competitive economy and integration into the global marketplace. This is achieved through enabling regulators to establish and implement product safety, legal metrology and conformity schemes.
QCC also sets guidelines and benchmarks to identify and verify that the products manufactured and traded in the emirate conform to the highest quality standards. QCC's board consists of various regulators and representatives from the private sector and the industry.
About Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity CouncilThe Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) was established by law No. 3 of 2009, issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
QCC is responsible for the development of Abu Dhabi Emirate's Quality Infrastructure, which enables industry and regulators to ensure that products, systems and personnel can be tested and certified to UAE and International Standards.
Development of Abu Dhabi's Quality Infrastructure ensures that the goods and services traded in Abu Dhabi meet the standards of an international developed economy and is central to positioning Abu Dhabi among the most competitive and innovative economies in the world.