FOOD CONTACT MATERIALS PRODUCT REGISTRATION IN UAE

An application form, along with the mandatory documents, needs to be submitted to the ESMA online or through product registration agents in Dubai. The concerned officials will then conduct a detailed document review. Check the following steps to understand what happens next:

1. Document review includes assessment of test reports conducted by an accredited laboratory
2. The product will be evaluated to assess its eligibility for the certification scheme in light of the applicable standards
3. In case of missing documents or invalid documents, ESMA will demand additional documents and information
4. An evaluation will begin covering Product Safety Verification through test reports provided on all safety test parameters requested by applicable scheme/standards
5. If test reports do not comply with standards, applicants need to rectify the non-complying aspects
6. Evaluation will be repeated after the re-submission of documents/rectification of non-complying aspects
7. The product certification will be granted once the product evaluation results show full compliance with applicable standards
8. The certificate of conformity is valid for one year and can be renewed two months before its expiry.

to sell their products in the highly lucrative UAE market. However, arranging the logistics and identifying a distribution channel is not enough to do that. There are certain regulated products that warrant product registration in the UAE subject to the standards stipulated by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA).

Failing to obtain ESMA product certification in the UAE essentially blocks a company’s access to the UAE market. Getting the products certified by ESMA is not an easy task and that is why manufacturers, importers and distributors seek the help of product registration consultants in the UAE. Manufacturers, importers, and distributors of the regulated products must obtain ESMA certification in the UAE to enter the local market. Therefore, businesses must know every nuance of ESMA product certification in the UAE. Read ahead to know the process better.

The Role of Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology 

ESMA is a Federal UAE authority established according to UAE Federal Law (28), 2001. ESMA sets out the mandatory quality standards and technical requirements for the products made, distributed and imported into the UAE. ESMA regulates the process of product certification in the UAE through its technical committees established in fields such as food products, construction and building materials products, electrical and electronic products, chemical and plastic products, mechanical products, petroleum products and lubricants, and metrology and information technology.

Mandatory Conformity Assessment Schemes 

ESMA has implemented mainly two schemes to determine whether the local and imported products comply with the National Standards. The two schemes of product registration in the UAE are:

1. Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme 

The UAE introduced the mandatory program called Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) in 2004. Through ECAS, the ESMA examines compliance with UAE standards for goods (both imported and domestic) to be sold in the country. ECAS applies to all types of ESMA-regulated products in the UAE including textiles and building materials and agricultural products such as dairy and juice products etc.

2. Emirates Quality Mark 

The Emirates Quality Mark (EQM) is a mark of conformity that ESMA grants to products that comply with relevant UAE National Standards, Regional and/or International Standards and are manufactured by an organization implementing an effective Quality Management System to ensure continuous compliance. Businesses can obtain a license to use the EQM by undergoing a comprehensive evaluation of the product as well as the quality system used by the manufacturer in production through auditing, testing and inspection.

The EQM Certificate is essential for shipment clearance by Port and Customs Authorities. The EQM can be displayed on the certified products to show compliance with ESMA standards. Obtaining EQM certification in the UAE is mandatory for products such as bottled drinking water, natural mineral water, most juices and beverages, some milk and dairy products. However, the EQM is optional for other products regulated by ESMA in the UAE.

Types of Products Regulated by ESMA 

ESMA has published a list of products that it regulates to ensure compliance with standards. Some of them are:

1. Lighting products
2. Organic products
3. Honey products
4. Milk & dairy products
5. Low Voltage Equipment
6. Food Contact Materials
7. Juices and other beverages
8. Energy drinks
9. Children’s toys
10. Drinking water

Common Requirements for Product Registration with ESMA 

Requirements for ESMA product registration may vary depending on the scope of certified products; Details of the documents required for certification for the scope of Juices and Drinks as per ESMA requirements are detailed as follows:

Valid UAE Industry/Trade License

Registration certificate for Industrial Measurement System

Test Report from an accredited and recognized laboratory

Valid QMS international certificate Accepted by ESMA

Food contact material conformity certificate ( for food products only)

Organic product certificate if the product is declared as organic on the product label ( for organic products only)

Halal national mark License if the product is declared as halal on the product label (for food products)

Transport and store the product according to the technical requirements in the standard

Meet the requirements of the card Label according to the technical requirements in the standard

Distributor ownership (for Traders only)

Electronic Declaration of Conformity

RoHS report ( for electric and electronic equipment only)

Consequences & Penalties for Non-compliance  

Regulated products that fail to comply with the mandatory ESMA standards won’t be cleared by the customs during shipping. Any no-compliant product that found its way into the UAE market will be removed by the authorities. Furthermore, penalties of up to AED 30,000 will be imposed on the non-compliant parties as per the Federal Law No. 28 of 2001 on the establishment of ESMA. Businessmen who violate the rules of product registration in the UAE may also be subjected to imprisonment depending on the nature of non-compliance.  Consulting with product registration agents in the UAE will help the businesses avoid hefty penalties and consequences.

Enlist the Best Product Registration Services in the UAE 

Getting a smooth entry into the lucrative UAE market is not tough if the businesses ensure compliance with the government’s standards. The process of product registration in the UAE involves a mix of complex and simple steps. The complexity of ESMA certification shouldn’t deter businessmen as they can be easily navigated with the help of product registration agents in the UAE such as the infinite service

The Infinite Service is an Intellectual Property firm that provides reliable and efficient product registration services in Dubai, UAE. Our product registration consultants are the best in the industry with a proven track record. We have helped businesses across a wide range of industries to obtain ESMA product certification in the UAE. The ECAS and EQM processes involve complex assessments such as quality checks, laboratory tests, on-site factory audits etc. The Infinite Service can help the businessmen clear all the processes by ensuring compliance with ESMA standards and requirements.