GLOBAL MARKET ACCESS
UAE ECAS COMPLIANCE
Regulatory programs in the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates
(UAE) has introduced the
Emirates Conformity
Assessment System (ECAS)
mandatory regulatory
program. The new
regulations will require
importers to the UAE market
to develop new compliance
strategies and plans.
Overview of the UAE ECAS Program
The Government of the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) has introduced
mandatory regulatory controls on
specific product placed onto the UAE
market in an effort to enhance safety,
protect property, implement energy
efficiency measures, and protect the
environment.
Emirates Standards & Metrology
Authority (ESMA) is the regulatory body
appointed by the UAE Government to
manage the program. The UAE Ministry
for Commerce and Industry issued a
series of Federal Laws and government
orders introduced under a mandatory
regulatory program called the “Emirates
Conformity Assessment System” (ECAS).
The ESMA Conformity Affairs
Department will provide:
• Implementation of ECAS for
regulated products
• Implementation of EESL program
• Emirates Quality Marking (EQM)
• Market Surveillance and Inspection
The new mandatory regulatory controls
apply to Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (EEE), sub–assemblies, and
components and other industry sectors
such as the food, automotive, and
chemicals industry. These regulations
need to be understood and complied
with by manufacturers, importers, or
agents who intend to sell or import
electrical equipment into the UAE.
Recent Implementation Dates
• August 1, 2017: UAE ECAS Ex
• January 1, 2018: UAE RoHS
Notified Body Certification
The UAE legislation will require Notified
Body Certification. A Notified Body, such
as Intertek, is an appointed Conformity
Assessment Body accredited to ISO/IEC
17065 for conducting conformity
assessment activities to determine
compliance to a standard, regional
requirements, and/or a regulation.
Responsibilities of Suppliers
It is the responsibility of any supplier, in
all cases, to have their products
approved by an appointed Notified Body
and ensure that products continuously
comply with the requirements defined in
these ECAS technical regulations.
Specific ECAS Regulations
Energy Efficiency Standards Labeling
(EESL)
The UAE Ministry for Commerce and
Industry issued Federal Law No. 21
Energy Efficiency Standards Labelling
(EESL) to be introduced under a
mandatory regulatory program called the
‘Emirates Conformity Assessment
System’ (ECAS). The ECAS program
covers safety, energy efficiency, and
environmental requirements for
electrical and electronic devices and
certain gas products; those products
identified to meet energy efficiency
requirements are subject to the separate
program called Energy Efficiency
Standards – Labeling.
Restriction of Hazardous Substances
(RoHS) for UAE
According to UAE Cabinet Decision No.
10/2017, implementation of the RoHS
will be enforced in the UAE starting from
January 1, 2018 (first deadline for the
date of application). It is now necessary
to obtain a Certificate of Conformity
under the ECAS program for RoHS to
place in-scope electrical and electronic
products on the UAE market. This
legislation is to the EU RoHS Directive
2011/65 in some respects, however, the
UAE RoHS legislation differs in two main
aspects: implementation periods, and
requirement for the Certificate of
Conformity to be issued by an appointed
Notified Body.
GLOBAL MARKET ACCESS
UAE ECAS COMPLIANCE
ECAS for Electrical Equipment in
potentially Explosive Atmospheres
(ECASEx)
The UAE Ministry for Commerce and
Industry issued government order No.
23, from which articles give direction for
new regulations to be introduced under
the “Emirates Conformity Assessment
System Ex” (ECAS Ex). This conformity
assessment approach is based on
meeting the procedures and rules
defined within the IECEx scheme,
including IECEx OD 01 and IECEx OD 02.
With this approach, the ECASEx program
utilizes IEC Standards, and a presumption
of conformity is met by meeting the
requirements of the IECEx scheme in full,
including mandatory factory site Quality
Assessment Reports (QARs).
ECAS Conformity Assessment for
Lighting Products
UAE Cabinet Decision No. 34 addresses
the UAE Regulation for Lighting Products.
These regulations include requirements
for electrical safety, energy efficiency,
functionality, hazardous substances, and
safe disposal. Products in scope include:
Incandescent Lamps (GLS) ≥ 16W (watts);
Linear Fluorescent Lamps; Compact
Fluorescent Lamps; Halogen Lamps; Light
Emitting Diode (LED) Lamps; Control
gears for general lighting purposes; and
Luminaires for general lighting purposes.
ECAS for Low Voltage Equipment (LVE)
This regulation prescribes requirement
for the safety of electrical equipment
designation for used with input voltage
rating between 50 and 1000 volts for
alternating current, and between 75
volts to 1500 volts for direct current. The
electrical equipment under this scope is
called “Low Voltage Equipment” (LVE).
Challenges for Manufacturers
Manufacturers, importers, and agents
within who import Electrical or Electronic
Equipment (ECC) and devices into the
UAE are currently experiencing a market
and regulatory transition – from
requirements to lower their products’
energy consumption levels to achieve
greater energy efficiency, to regulations
enforcing the use of more
environmentally-friendly materials, in
tandem with numerous new testing
procedures to certify compliance.
All of these changes will consume R&D
and engineering talent, require potential
investments in product redesign, take
additional time and resources, and
require attention to new testing
procedures in order to ensure product
compliance by the various deadlines.
Manufacturers may need to source new
materials, pursue new safety
certifications, reassess their entire
manufacturing process, or re-test
products -- all potentially time-
consuming and tedious processes.
Recommended Next Steps
Contact Intertek to learn more about the
specifics of each regulation, including:
• Scope of regulated products
• Application criteria requirements
• Document submittal requirements
• Conformity Assessment Procedure
• Certification process
• Product Registration procedure
• Certificate validity periods &
renewals
• Inspection & Market Monitoring
As part of a proactive response to these
industry dynamics, manufacturers are
encouraged to plan for the changes by
understanding the new standards and
procedures, how they apply to their
products, and whether current or
upcoming products comply. A proactive
approach will help ensure a smooth,
accurate, and executable compliance
plan for the new regulations in the UAE
market.
The Intertek Advantage
As a global leader in assurance, testing,
inspection, and certification, Intertek’s
worldwide teams provide guidance in
regulatory, supply chain, and technical
compliance requirements. With
Intertek’s consulting and quality strategy
services, companies can effectively:
• Manage compliance strategy and
risks
• Ensure requirements are properly
applied and met for your products
• Educate your employees on
obligations and requirements
• Develop and sustain a competitive
advantage
• Protect your brand
• Minimize business impacts such as
product recalls, limited market
access, loss of sales, and obsolete
inventory
As a leading quality assurance provider,
Intertek can offer Global Market Access
services for the UAE ECAS program via
our unrivaled network of experts,
laboratories, and certification bodies
around the world.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Americas
+1 800 WORLDLAB (967 5352)
+1 251 459 6173
Europe
+44 1372 370900
Asia
+852 2173 8888
icenter@intertek.com
Intertek.com