|
||||||||||||
Abu Dhabi Quality And Conformity Council Verifies Accuracy Of 6,642 Legal Measuring Instruments, 10,840 Pre-Packaged Products In Abu Dhabi Markets |
||||||||||||
Inspection drive conducted between January and September 2017Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), the entity responsible for developing quality infrastructure in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, verified the accuracy of 6,642 legal measuring instruments and 10,840 pre-packaged products in Abu Dhabi market as part of its continued efforts to create a safe and transparent market environment in the emirate. Conducted between January and September 2017, the verification process was carried out in accordance with the terms of an agreement signed with the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) to guarantee the compliance of legal measuring instruments and pre-packaged products with the applicable standards and specifications. The Council verified the accuracy of a variety of legal measuring instruments including gold, jewellery and precious metal scales, oud and Arabian perfume scales, weighing platforms, trade scales and petroleum meters at ADNOC Distribution service stations, as well as pre-packaged containers of 212 food products. Sultan Al Mehairi, Director of Information Service and Engagement at QCC, said: "The verification of legal measuring instruments and pre-packaged products aligns with our mandate of safeguarding the interests of consumers and businesses alike. Through ensuring accurate and consistent measurements across the Abu Dhabi markets, we seek to prevent potential attempts to manipulate the weight and dimensions of products and protect consumers from commercial fraud due to using non-compliant scales.” He added: “Our inspection campaigns contribute to a healthy commercial and investment environment in Abu Dhabi while enhancing the competitiveness of the economy. In addition to increasing consumers’ trust in the measuring systems, such efforts boost the stability and reputation of the emirate’s trade sector. QCC utilises state-of-the-art inspection equipment that complies with the highest international standards in legal metrology verification, and applies effective control measures to ensure the utmost accuracy of all legal measuring instruments.” The inspection found 97 per cent of the 549 jewellery and precious metal scales examined to be compliant with the relevant regulations. In addition, 234 oud and Arabian perfume scales underwent verification. The Council also confirmed the accuracy of 229 scales used at Abu Dhabi airports and cargo companies to weigh loads including cargo and luggage ranging from 150 kg to two tonnes. The move aimed to ensure that aircrafts do not carry more than the permitted weight and travellers are charged the correct fees as per the weight of their luggage. Furthermore, QCC inspectors examined 59 floor scales and weighing platforms used for loads exceeding two tonnes. They also inspected 2,375 trade scales during 2,424 visits, and confirmed that 95 per cent of the inspected scales met the required specifications. As part of the campaign, the Council continued the verification of fuel meters at ADNOC Distribution service stations across Abu Dhabi in close coordination with the company. Of the 3,182 meters targeted during the inspection, 99 per cent were found compliant. Following the inspection, ADNOC Distribution carried out adjustments on the remaining meters to ensure their accuracy. Moreover, QCC inspectors visited 33 factories manufacturing pre-packaged food items and examined 10,840 containers of 212 products including liquids such as milk and juices, as well as solids such as cheeses, baked foods and biscuits. Following the checks, the inspectors place official QCC seals on the scales. The gold ‘Verified’ seal stands for confirmed accuracy, whereas the red ‘Rejected’ seal means that the instrument has failed to meet the relevant standards. While ordering the removal of any non-compliant scales from the market, the inspectors set a time limit for the owners to rectify the deficiencies and submit the instruments for reverification. Traders are not allowed to use the rejected scales until the inspectors replace the ‘Rejected’ seal with the ‘Verified’ seal. Establishments that use rejected scales or scales without any seals receive a warning, and the instruments are retained for further legal action. The Council urges consumers to look for the gold seals on scales before making any purchases and to report the use of instruments that carry the red seals 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, 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. |
||||||||||||
