Ensure that items carry ‘Ecas’ mark before buying, shops told

ENSURE THAT ITEMS CARRY ‘ECAS’ MARK BEFORE BUYING

All shops in Dubai have been directed to withdraw vacuum flasks that may contain asbestos in view of consumer health concerns.

The directive comes from the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector of Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED), along with the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma). The DED, in cooperation with Esma, is also launching an awareness campaign across outlets selling vacuum flasks in Dubai.

Conformity mark

Traders and consumers are urged to ensure that the flasks carry the ‘ECAS’ (Emirates Conformity Assessment System) mark issued by Esma before buying them. The ECAS mark ensures the safety of the process of sourcing and certifying products meant to be sold in the local market.

Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, CEO of CCCP, said: “Dubai Economy has set up a specialised team in cooperation with [Esma] to address traders and guide them to withdraw asbestos-containing thermos flasks. The team will organise inspection and awareness visits starting today.”

Esma clarified that any appliance or utensil that comes in direct contact with food can be sold only subject to strict procedures laid down in the UAE Ministerial Decree No (20) for the year 2015.

Abdullah Al Maeeni, director-general, Esma, said the provisions of the decree apply to all tools that comes in contact with food offered, imported, manufactured or distributed in the UAE, including flasks used to serve coffee, tea or hot beverages.

Al Maeeni said the controls imposed include providing consumers with information on the product. Such information must be accurate, laboratoryvalidated, scientifically proven and displayed in a tamperproof way on the product.

Conformity certificates for products that come in contact with food (processed, packaged or imported) are issued only after the products are examined in accredited laboratories.