The UAE government requires that all bottled drinking water in the country be certified. Discover how Cotecna helps clients to meet the EQM requirements.
The Emirates Quality Mark (EQM) is issued by notified bodies approved by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MOIAT) in the UAE. It is a mandatory certification for natural mineral water and bottled drinking water, both for local producers and importers, ensuring that these products meet the UAE’s stringent health and safety standards.
Key Significance of the Mandatory EQM for Drinking Water:
1. Regulatory Compliance
The EQM guarantees that water products comply with UAE’s strict technical regulations regarding safety, purity, and hygiene. All bottled drinking water and natural mineral water products must obtain this certification from approved notified bodies before they can be legally sold in the UAE market.
2. Consumer Protection
As the certification is mandatory, it ensures that every water product on the UAE market meets health and safety requirements, protecting consumers from substandard or contaminated water.
3. Market Authorization
Without the EQM, companies are prohibited from selling their drinking water products in the UAE. This applies equally to local producers and importers, ensuring uniform compliance with UAE regulations.
4. Quality Assurance
The mandatory EQM certification ensures that all products meet consistent quality standards, giving consumers confidence in the safety and quality of the drinking water they purchase.
Thus, the EQM, issued by approved notified bodies under MOIAT’s supervision, is a crucial and legally required certification for all natural mineral water and bottled drinking water products in the UAE.
Consequences for products without an EQM in the UAE market
Products, including natural mineral water and bottled drinking water, that are sold without the Emirates Quality Mark (EQM) in the UAE market face serious consequences. Since the EQM is a mandatory certification for these products, failure to obtain it results in several legal, financial, and reputational penalties, as outlined below:
1. Market Prohibition
Products without the EQM cannot be legally sold in the UAE market. Any bottled water product found without the certification will be immediately removed from shelves, and the companies responsible will be prevented from distributing their products.
2. Fines and Legal Action
Companies that attempt to sell water products without the EQM certification are subject to heavy fines and possible legal prosecution. These penalties are imposed to ensure strict compliance with UAE safety and quality regulations.
Repeated violations can lead to increased fines, legal action, and even a business ban in the UAE.
3. Product Recall
Authorities may enforce a mandatory recall of all non-compliant products from the market. This can have a significant financial impact on companies, as they must bear the costs of recalling the products and managing the supply chain disruptions.
4. Damage to Brand Reputation
Selling products without the EQM will severely damage a brand’s reputation, both in the UAE and internationally. Consumers rely on the EQM as a mark of trust and safety, so non-compliant companies risk losing consumer confidence and market share.
5. Restricted Import Access
Importers that fail to obtain the EQM for their products face import restrictions. UAE customs authorities may block the entry of non-certified products, preventing them from entering the market altogether.
6. Business Closure
In extreme cases of non-compliance, businesses may face temporary or permanent closure by regulatory authorities. The UAE government takes product safety very seriously, and failing to comply with mandatory certification standards could lead to licenses being revoked.
How Cotecna helps clients comply with the EQM requirement
Product and Production Information Collection: Cotecna primarily collects detailed product and production information from the client, typically through a client meeting or visit.
- Review and Analysis: The technical team reviews the application documents and product specifications provided by the client.
- Standards Recommendation: Based on their review, Cotecna recommends the appropriate standards for certification to the client. For water products in the UAE, this includes:
- Natural Mineral Water: UAE.S GSO 987 standard.
- Bottled Drinking Water: UAE.S GSO 1025 standard.
- Unbottled Drinking Water: UAE.S GSO 149 standard.
- Further Steps: Testing and additional procedures are handled at a later stage, once the client has followed the recommended standards.
By adhering to these specific standards, Cotecna ensures that water products meet the necessary regulatory requirements in the UAE.
For more information about EQM compliance or other services in the UAE, please contact us.
About Cotecna
For over 50 years, we have been supporting agriculture, food and pharma, minerals and metals, and consumer products supply chains all over the world. We provide testing, inspection, and certification services to help our clients navigate evolving regulations, ensure product compliance, and support their sustainability journey.