ABU DHABI April 14, 2022: The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) conducted a series of Ramadan monitoring campaigns during the Holy Month to ensure fair commercial practices, product quality and metrological accuracy across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain markets.
The campaign - “Awfu Alkayl” – was done in coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. It was also simultaneously a part of the national program to enhance cooperation and unified awareness among stakeholders on fairness to traders and consumer protection leading to increased market competitiveness.
The campaign which was launched on March 28, 2022 and lasted for two weeks, was rolled out across the cities of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Al Dhafra region. One of the aims of the campaign was to verify the quantity of the pre-packed products as per the label displays, as well as to ensure the accuracy of weighing devices and commercial practices. The campaign specifically targeted products that are in high demand during Ramadan and are sold in major commercial outlets.
“The campaign was in line with the ministry’s strategic objectives to develop an integrated quality system for both imported and locally manufactured products, and ensuring its compliance with the technical regulations on quantity in pre-packed product packages,” said Eng. Farah Ali Al Zarooni, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Specifications and Legislation Sector in the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.
The inspection teams during the campaign verified the accuracy of measurement devices and its compliance with the UAE technical regulations. In the case of pre-packaged products, the team’s mandate was to ensure that quantity and the weight matched under the No.3, 2016 technical regulation for pre-packed products. The campaign also made sure that approved legal measurement units were used to mitigate the risks of misleading claims and commercial fraud.
"During these campaigns, we intensify our field visits to ensure that businesses in Abu Dhabi follow the right commercial practices. It also helps control the markets during Ramadan ensuring the accuracy and compliance of trade balances and other units of measurement in commercial transactions, and the correct use of approved legal units,” said H.E Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of the Markets and Consumer Services Sector, QCC.
During the campaign, the team inspected approximately 1,542 pre-packed items representing 257 products. Quantity verifications were done on containers by weight and volume. Consumers could report any wrong commercial practice through the Abu Dhabi government call center at 800-555, and after verification of the complaint, the Council will take necessary actions.
The campaign ensured that errors in measurement units did not exceed the approved limits allowed as per the technical regulations, in turn enhancing the confidence of consumers in the markets and creating awareness among suppliers and manufacturers on the Council’s role.
Eng. Al Zarooni said the campaign stressed the importance of the strategic partnership of the ministry with the QCC in many integrated initiatives across several fields conducted by joint work teams. These activities contributed to achieving the strategic goals of both entities, in turn supporting endeavors strengthening the national economy and raising the quality of national products.
The campaign comes as part of a series of joint programs of the Council and the ministry on legal and scientific standards to enhance partnership adopted by the ministry with local government bodies and the private sector.
H.E Al Mazrouei added that such campaigns contribute to the growth of commercial transactions in the emirate's markets, increase competitiveness across local and international markets, and raise the confidence of dealers and traders, thereby consolidating Abu Dhabi's position as an attractive destination for foreign investments.
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