ABU DHABI 28 April 2018: The Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma) will award stars to categorise energy-consuming home appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines and dryers.
The rating will be indicated by the number of stars on the appliance’s label. The more stars the appliance has, the more energy-efficient it is considered to be.
The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), said in addition, requirements stipulate that all electrical appliances should be fitted with a three-pin plug as specified by Esma, said Wam.
QCC 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.
Q1 inspection results for products, measurement scales and pre-packaged products in Abu Dhabi
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.
A total of 56 different samples were selected and sent to internationally accredited laboratories for examination to ensure its compliance with quality and safety standards.
The results of the inspection found that 23 samples were conformed to the requirements of quality and safety, and 16 products were non-compliant. 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 Abu Dhabi, and within the authorisation agreement signed by the council and the Emirates Authority for Standardisation 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 during Q1 2018.
Measurement Scales
The measurement scales verified included retail scales, jewelry and precious metal scales, oud and Arabian perfume scales, weighing platforms, trade scales used in shipping activities by companies and petroleum metres 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The measurement scales that did not comply with requirements were withdrawn until maintenance and re-verification took place in order to ensure compliance with all mandatory requirements in accordance with the regulations for each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.
Commenting on the results, Sultan Al Mehairi, Director of Information Services and 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 said that 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 UAE Vision 202.
Adnoc Meters
Of the 2,062 metres targeted during the inspection at Adnoc Distribution service stations, 99 percent were found to be compliant with quality and safety standards.
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.