Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), the entity responsible for developing quality infrastructure in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, has announced the voluntary recall of 2,463 products in 22 categories as well as the temporary withdrawal of 7,334 products in 25 categories for their non-compliance with safety and quality requirements.
The move followed a series of inspection campaigns QCC carried out between January and September 2017 that examined a total of 51,425 controlled productsincluding 17,971 electrical appliances, 15,746 toys, 3,318 detergents andhousehold cleaning products, 633 tires,and 13, 757 cigarettes and tobacco products.Inspectors issued warnings to outlets retailing non-compliant products and ordered them to recall such itemsor, in rectifiable cases, temporarily withdraw them from circulation and adopt corrective measures to ensure conformance before allowing them to resume the sale.
Sultan Al Mehairi, Director of Information Service and Engagement at QCC, said: "With the inspection drive, QCC aimed to fulfil its mission of ensuring the quality and safety of controlled products sold in Abu Dhabi markets. Controlled products are essential itemsthat we use in our everyday lives. Given their direct impact on our health, the quality and safety of these products is imperative. This mandates strict and effective control measures to prevent the circulationof controlled products that do not meet the applicable safety requirements.”
Stressing QCC’s priority to collaborate with other quality-focused entities in the country, Al Mehairi noted that improving quality is the only way to enhance the competitiveness of products made in the UAE in domesticand international markets. He also applauded the continued support of the private sector forQCC’s efforts to develop quality infrastructure in Abu Dhabi and position the UAE amongthe most advanced countriesfor product quality.
Furthermore, Al Mehairi urged entities in the private sector to join the “Quality Partner”programme that promotes voluntary compliance of commercial establishments with the regulations concerning controlled products and legal measuring instruments.
As part of the drive, the electrical appliance inspection campaign targeted various home appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines, kitchen appliancesincludingelectric 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 the relevant quality and safety standards as well as the required technical specifications.They also checkedwhether the appliancesheldthe Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) certificate issued by the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA).
The requirements stipulate that all electrical appliances should be fitted with a three-pin plug, and energy-intensive devices – such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines and dryers – must carry the ESMA label that indicates their energy efficiency rating. The more stars the appliance has, the more energy-efficient it is considered.
Apart from conducting routine and surprise market inspections, QCC raises public awareness about the dangers of using non-compliant electrical devices.
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, legal 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.