U.A.E.

Standards & Technical Regulations

A Primer

February 2017
Foreword
Standards and technical regulations are
vital for both individuals and societies.
They help give individuals confidence that
products will function as advertised,
interoperate with other products, and do
them no harm. They also help
governments protect public health and the
environment.

At the same time, standards and technical regulations are crucial for businesses.
While businesses may occasionally chafe at excessive regulations, they generally
help ensure that businesses have reliable inputs for their production processes.
Moreover, they help create a national market for goods and facilitate international
trade.

This primer will provide an overview of

standards and technical regulations in the
U.A.E. First, it will introduce the U.A.E.’s
standardization body, the Emirates
Authority for Standardization and
Metrology (ESMA), and the processes
through which the authority develops both
standards and technical regulations. Then,
it will discuss how businesses can stay
abreast of U.A.E. standards and regulations
as well as demonstrate their conformity
with these measures. This paper will subsequently review some recent ESMA
initiatives in 2016 as well as some of the authority’s plans for 2017. Finally, it will
conclude by offering a list of ways that U.S. businesses can engage with ESMA and
provide contact information along these lines.

In so doing, this report seeks to achieve several objectives:

 Facilitate the sale of products in the U.A.E. market by providing a clear and
comprehensive overview of standards and technical regulations in that country;
 Help those businesses already active in the U.A.E. market adapt to, and prepare
for, recent and future ESMA initiatives; and
 Encourage businesses to be proactive about engaging with ESMA about
standards through appropriate channels.
The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council would like to thank its partners at ESMA for their
assistance in the publication of this report. The Business Council looks forward to
continuing to work with ESMA in helping U.S. and U.A.E. businesses navigate the
commercial and regulatory landscape in the U.A.E.

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Table of Contents
Foreword......................................................................................................................................................................1
Introduction to ESMA .............................................................................................................................................4
How Standards are Developed ............................................................................................................................5
How Technical Regulations are Developed ...................................................................................................6
How Businesses Keep Abreast of Standards and Regulations ...............................................................6
How Businesses Demonstrate Conformity with Standards and Regulations ..................................7
How Conformity is Assessed and Monitored ................................................................................................8
Recent ESMA Initiatives .........................................................................................................................................9
Upcoming ESMA Initiatives ............................................................................................................................... 10
How Businesses Can Engage with ESMA ..................................................................................................... 10
References ................................................................................................................................................................ 12

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Introduction to ESMA
The Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) was officially
established as the national standardization body of the U.A.E. under Federal Law No.
28 of 2001. It began as a standardization department under the Ministry of Finance
that was first created in 1977.

ESMA is mandated to formulate and issue national standards as well as adopt

international standards and mandatory standards issued via binding resolutions of
the U.A.E.’s Council of Ministers. In addition to this, ESMA grants the Emirates
Quality Mark (EQM) and Certificates of Conformity (CoCs); accredits Conformity
Assessment Bodies (CABs); and publishes information regarding standards and
technical regulations. It also oversees the U.A.E.’s National System for Measurement
and Calibration.

ESMA reports directly to the U.A.E. Cabinet. A Board of Directors (BoD), chaired by
Minister of State H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, oversees the authority’s
operations. ESMA’s Director General, Abdulla Abdelqader Al Maeeni, manages the
organization, as well as its Information Center, Technical Office, and Accreditation
and Technical Committees.

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In addition to the above sections, ESMA includes five other departments: the Human
Resource & Finance Department, Accreditation Department, Conformity Affairs
Department, Metrology Department, and Standards Department. Its headquarters is
located in Abu Dhabi and it maintains a branch office in Dubai where its Director
General is situated.

How Standards are Developed

ESMA is the U.A.E.’s sole body charged with developing standards, which can best be
defined as “requirements, specifications, guidelines, or characteristics that can be
used consistently to ensure that materials, products, processes, and services are fit
for their purpose.”1

The main body at ESMA charged with developing standards is its Standards
Department. This Department consists of four divisions: the Agricultural & Food
Product Division, the Engineering and Mechanical Products Division, the Electrical
and Electronic Products Division, and the Consumer and Chemical Products
Division. As such, this department can bring specialized knowledge to bear on
particular issues.

Once ESMA prepares standard specifications, they are reviewed by specialized

technical committees. ESMA has such committees in the fields of food products,
construction and building materials, electrical and electronic products, chemical and
plastic products, mechanical products, petroleum products and lubricants,
metrology, and information technology.2 These committees provide additional
technical expertise and they also, in the words of the U.S. Department of Commerce,
“promote transparency and industry and stakeholder input.”3

In addition to engaging local stakeholders, ESMA also

regularly engages with regional and international
standards organizations. Along these lines, ESMA is a
member of the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO).4
It is also a member of the International Standards
Organization (ISO), International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC), and other major international
standards bodies.5

Through this engagement, ESMA seeks to achieve alignment with international

standards. This alignment enables the U.A.E. to both benefit from international best
practices and better integrate its domestic market with the global economy.

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Ultimately, ESMA generally develops standards according to existing international
and regional standards.6

How Technical Regulations are Developed

In addition to developing standards, ESMA also produces technical regulations.
Technical regulations are documents that include specifications and requirements
for regulated products and/or processes including applicable administrative
provisions with which compliance is mandatory, unlike standards.

The process of issuing a technical regulation can be initiated in several different

ways. It can be triggered by a request from one of ESMA’s partners, including
government entities, manufacturers, and traders. Alternately, it can be based on
ESMA’s assessment of market needs or the impact of a product on consumers.

ESMA ultimately leads the process of proposing a technical regulation. This involves
studying the impact of implementing such a regulation, identifying an appropriate
benchmark, involving relevant stakeholders, forming a national committee, drafting
a regulation, and then circulating the draft regulation to concerned government
entities, the WTO, and related manufacturers and traders.

After this process is completed, the U.A.E. Cabinet issues the final technical
regulation and the regulation is implemented by ESMA or approved bodies as well
as U.A.E. government entities. The roles and responsibilities of these entities are
identified in the regulation itself.

How Businesses Keep Abreast of Standards and Regulations

Businesses can keep informed about U.A.E. standards and regulations thanks to the
activities of ESMA’s information center, which is designed to serve users both
nationally and internationally.7

ESMA’s website is perhaps the best source of information on U.A.E. standards and
technical regulations. This website provides a list of both regulated products and
issued regulations (under “Laws and Legislations”).8 It also offers a means to
purchase standards.9

ESMA’s website is not the only source for information on standards, however.
Standards are available for sale at ESMA’s head office in Abu Dhabi and branch office
in Dubai.10 They are also numbered and published in the Official Gazette.11

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The “Notify U.S.” Service
The WTO’s Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement seeks to ensure that
“technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessment procedures are non-
discriminatory and do not create unnecessary obstacles to trade.”12 As a member
country of the WTO, the U.A.E. is required under the TBT Agreement to report to the
WTO all proposed technical regulations that could affect trade with other member
countries.13 The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which is
part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, offers a free, web-based e-mail
registration service called “Notify U.S.” that “offers U.S. entities an opportunity to
“review and comment” on such proposed technical regulations prior to their
implementation.14

How Businesses Demonstrate Conformity with Standards and Regulations

Businesses can demonstrate the conformity of their products with relevant ESMA
standards and technical regulations through engagement with ESMA’s Conformity
Affairs Department. This Department is charged with implementing the U.A.E.’s
technical regulations and schemes for assessing whether products comply with
regulations.

Businesses can acquire certificates of conformity for

products through the Emirates Conformity Assessment
Scheme (ECAS). This scheme, which is administered by
the Conformity Affairs Department, certifies that a
product will continuously comply with applicable U.A.E.
standards and technical requirements of ESMA. It does so
by, among other things, allowing ESMA-authorized
personnel to conduct on-site assessments and giving such
personnel full authority to verify the compliance of the product.15

In addition, through the Conformity Affairs Department,

businesses can obtain an Emirates Quality Mark (EQM).
The EQM is a mark of conformity that is given after a
comprehensive evaluation of the product and the quality
system used by the manufacturer.16 The EQM is a purely
voluntary mark for products, with the exception of
drinking water.17

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Businesses can also acquire a variety of other mandatory
or voluntary labels from the Conformity Affairs
Department. The U.A.E. has, for instance, introduced a
Halal National Mark that enables consumers to confirm
products, services, and production systems are halal, or
permitted by Islamic law.18 The U.A.E. also has marks and
labeling systems for organic food, biodegradable
products (such as plastic bags), energy-efficient
appliances (such as air conditioners and washing machines), car tires, and more.19

The G Mark
The Gulf Mark (G Mark) is a conformity marking developed by
the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO). It is currently only
applicable for Low Voltage Electrical Equipment and Appliances
(GSO BD1420004-01) and Children’s Toys (GSO BD131704-01).
The Regulations for the G Mark and the scope of G Mark can be
downloaded from the GSO’s website.

How Conformity is Assessed and Monitored

In order to assess the conformity of products to relevant standards, the U.A.E. relies
on a large number of Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs), or independent bodies
that are accredited to perform conformity assessments by ESMA’s Accreditation
Department.

ESMA’s Accreditation Department accredits CABs

through the Emirates National Accreditation Scheme
(ENAS). Once ESMA determines that CABs are technically
competent to perform specific tasks described in an
accreditation scope document, they are granted
accreditation certifications to execute those tasks.20 In
this way, ESMA accredits testing and calibration labs, inspection bodies, product
certification bodies, and more.21

In addition to accrediting CABs, ESMA also monitors conformity of products to

standards and regulations through regular market surveillance and inspection. In
this, it is assisted by relevant U.A.E. government entities.

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Recent ESMA Initiatives
In 2016, ESMA garnered significant publicity for a wide variety of initiatives,
particularly in the motor vehicles sector. In March 2016, the authority announced
that it was in the final stage of developing regulations related to the importation of
used motor vehicles. Then, in September 2016, it announced the completion of a
new set of standards regulating motor vehicle spare parts for U.A.E. Cabinet
approval.

In the area of fuel efficiency, ESMA also launched several notable initiatives in 2016.
In February 2016, the authority established regulations mandating fuel efficiency
ratings for motor vehicles beginning with 2017 models. This initiative was followed
by the implementation of fuel efficiency and wet grip ratings for tires manufactured
and/or sold in the country, also starting in the beginning of 2017. In addition to this,
the authority laid down a new draft standard for a vehicle’s fuel economy.

At the same time, ESMA made headlines in 2016 for numerous initiatives related to
new means of transportation. In July 2016, the authority’s minimum specifications
for electric vehicles came into effect, defining requirements particularly in relation
to the adaptability of these vehicles to local weather conditions. The authority also
partnered with a leading car manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz, and the U.A.E.’s Road
Transportation Authority (RTA) in November 2016 to oversee the first-ever
automated drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. The following month, the authority
successfully hosted the 2nd Future Mobility Conference, which was held in Dubai,
U.A.E.

Outside of transportation, ESMA also launched an important initiative related to

LED lights. In May 2016, ESMA inaugurated the “I LED the way” campaign to
promote the use of LED lights and energy efficiency. This has long been a focus area
for ESMA, which banned the sales of incandescent light bulbs years ago. 22

ESMA also made waves both at home and

abroad through its work in the area of halal
standards. Notably, in November 2016, the
International Halal Accreditation Forum
(IHAF) convened its first General Assembly
meeting in Dubai.23 Jointly spearheaded by
the Dubai Islamic Economy Development
Centre and ESMA, IHAF seeks to establish a “solid ground for the global industry of
Halal food and non-food products” (such as halal makeup) through its work “to
protect the growing number of Halal consumers and to facilitate international
trade.”24

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Finally, ESMA created new standards and technical regulations with regards to
water fixtures. This is crucially important for a country so highly dependent on
desalination for its water needs. In September 2016, Gulf News reported that the
U.A.E. currently spends nearly 12 billion AED [$3.27 billion] per year on water
desalination.25

Upcoming ESMA Initiatives

In keeping with U.A.E. efforts to make the country the epicenter of the world’s
Islamic economy, ESMA will continue its focus on halal standards in 2017. More
specifically, ESMA will center its efforts on halal service standards, particularly as
they pertain to restaurants, hotels, spas, and logistics.

At the same time, the authority will continue its efforts in the regulation of motor
vehicle workshops. It aims to categorize and rate these workshops according to
their service quality and expertise. It will then make this information available to
motorists to assist them when choosing which workshops to use for their vehicles.

The fast-developing sector of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or “drones” will also
be a focus area for ESMA in 2017. Realizing its importance and the level of risk for
public safety, the authority has begun providing a framework for initiatives in this
area, starting with the requirement to register drones made available in the U.A.E.
(including their technical specifications). This requirement will provide substantial
information for future regulation.

Meanwhile, in the area of amusement parks and rides, ESMA will continue the
development of several technical regulations ensuring that these facilities are at par
with global standards in relation to safety. The U.A.E. has become a regional center
for entertainment parks, and previous years have seen a significant increase in this
sector. Some final areas of focus for ESMA in 2017 will be new textile technical
regulations, a meat classification scheme, a telecommunications scheme, and an
“Emirates Environmental Label.”

How Businesses Can Engage with ESMA

Businesses can engage with ESMA in a variety of ways, including through direct
channels. Relevant contact information for ESMA and its various departments can
be found below:

ESMA Abu Dhabi Headquarters

P.O. Box 2166, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

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 Phone: +971 2 671 1110 | +971 2 676 3743
Fax: +971 2 671 5999
Email: [email protected]

ESMA Dubai Office

P.O. Box 48666, Dubai, U.A.E.
Phone: +971 4 294 9909
Fax: +971 4 294 4112
Email: [email protected]

Accreditation Department
P.O. Box 48666, Dubai, U.A.E.
Phone: +971 4 294 4434
Fax: +971 4 294 4428
Email: [email protected]

Conformity Affairs Department (CAD)

P.O. Box 48666, Dubai, U.A.E.
Phone: +971 4 295 1626
Fax: +971 4 294 1898
Email: [email protected]

Metrology Department
P.O. Box 48666, Dubai, U.A.E.
Phone: +971 4 294 4434
Fax: +971 4 294 4428
Email: [email protected]

ESMA stands ready to help inform businesses about relevant standards and ensure
their conformity. ESMA will also accept feedback during the process of developing
standards. According to the Department of Commerce, companies and organizations
have the opportunity to engage with ESMA on draft standards, and comments on
draft standards are generally accepted for 60 days.27

In addition, businesses can engage ESMA through the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council.
The Business Council is fortunate to enjoy a warm relationship with ESMA’s
leadership and a cooperative working relationship with the organization writ large.
As such, the Business Council is well-positioned to both serve as a source of
information about ESMA initiatives and a collective voice of the U.S. businesses
community regarding industry concerns.

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References

1
http://www.iso.org/iso/home/standards.htm
2
http://www.iso.org/iso/home/about/iso_members/iso_member_body.htm?member_id=1704
3
https://www.export.gov/article?id=United-Arab-Emirates-trade-standards
4
https://www.gso.org.sa/gso-website/gso-website/about-gso/about/member-countries
5
http://www.iec.ch/dyn/www/f?p=103:5:0; http://www.iso.org/iso/home/about.htm; http://www.iec.ch/about/
6
https://www.export.gov/article?id=United-Arab-Emirates-trade-standards
7
http://www.iso.org/iso/home/about/iso_members/iso_member_body.htm?member_id=1704
8
http://www.esma.gov.ae/en-us/Services/Pages/Regulated-Producs.aspx
9
http://www.esma.gov.ae/en-us/Services/Pages/Purchase-Standards.aspx
10
https://www.export.gov/article?id=United-Arab-Emirates-trade-standards
11
https://www.export.gov/article?id=United-Arab-Emirates-trade-standards
12
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/tbt_e.htm
13
https://www.export.gov/article?id=United-Arab-Emirates-trade-standards
14
https://tsapps.nist.gov/notifyus/data/index/
15
http://www.esma.gov.ae/en-us/Services/Pages/ECAS.aspx
16
http://www.esma.gov.ae/en-us/Services/Pages/Emirates-Quality-Mark.aspx
17
https://www.export.gov/article?id=United-Arab-Emirates-trade-standards
18
http://www.esma.gov.ae/en-us/Services/Pages/Products/The-license-to-use-Halal-National-Mark.aspx
19
http://www.esma.gov.ae/en-us/Services/Pages/Products/The-issuance-of-a-conformity-certificate-of-Organic-
Products.aspx; http://www.esma.gov.ae/en-us/Services/Pages/Products/Issuance-of-conformity-certificate-for--OXO-
http://www.esma.gov.ae/en-us/Services/Pages/Products/The-issuance-of-a-conformity-certificate-of-Oxo-
biodegradation-of-Plastic-bags-and-other-disposable-Plastic-objects.aspx; http://www.esma.gov.ae/en-
us/Services/Pages/Products/Energy-Efficiency-Standardization-and-Labeling-(EESL)-Program.aspx;
https://rfid.esma.gov.ae/SignIn.aspx
20
http://www.esma.gov.ae/en-us/Services/Pages/Accreditation-of-conformity.aspx
21
http://www.esma.gov.ae/en-us/ESMA
22
http://meconstructionnews.com/11783/dubais-office-market-sees-strong-demand-cbre;
http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-41915-dulsco-partners-with-lamps4u-to-recycle-cfl-bulbs/
23
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/general/ihaf-convenes-first-general-assembly-meeting-in-dubai
24
http://www.ihaf.org.ae/aboutus.php; http://gulfnews.com/business/economy/mou-signed-to-establish-
international-halal-accreditation-forum-1.1822730
25
http://gulfnews.com/culture/environment/for-uae-hope-in-deep-ocean-water-desalination-1.1903331
26
https://www.export.gov/article?id=United-Arab-Emirates-trade-standards
27
https://www.export.gov/article?id=United-Arab-Emirates-trade-standards

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