Certification of low-voltage equipment in the UAE

Certification is a mandatory procedure for selling and distributing goods in the UAE. It is conducted by independent organizations approved by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MOIAT) and specialized in conformity assessment, or by governmental institutions. The process includes audits, testing, documentation verification, and assessment methods specified for a particular category of goods.

If you haven't undergone this procedure before, you may encounter difficulties due to a lack of knowledge of the basic certification standards, especially if you intend to enter the market with your own product and conduct legal business abroad.

Purposes of Certification:

• Compliance with regulatory requirements: Entrepreneurs and businessmen must adhere to the standards set in the Emirates. Certification confirms that the imported goods meet these standards.
• Consumer protection: Uncertified products can pose health risks and threaten consumer safety.
• Participation in tenders and government procurement.
• Facilitation of customs procedures.
• Enhancement of consumer and partner trust: Certification indicates high product quality and the company's level of professionalism.

The United Arab Emirates pays special attention to compliance with legislation. Therefore, the absence of certification entails direct legal consequences: prohibition of sale, product recall from the market, fines, and administrative penalties.

Certification Process in the UAE: General Standards

The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MOIAT) is responsible for standardizing products and services in the UAE. MOIAT is the national standardization and metrology authority, developing and approving standards, ensuring measurement accuracy, and managing technical regulations. The main value is consumer rights and safety. To confirm compliance, ESMA (Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology) utilizes the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS).

Certification of Electronics

Technical equipment and electronics are among the list of goods subject to mandatory certification. Regulatory control measures in the field of electrical and mechanical safety, energy efficiency, and environmental protection were introduced in 2015. These steps were implemented as part of a national program known as the Emirates Conformity Assessment System (ECAS).

Testing is necessary to ensure consumer protection from electric shock hazards. Danger arises in case of increased voltage and appliance malfunction.

Established UAE/GSO/IEC standards guarantee that the equipment will be safe to use. They define equipment categories and potential risks, regulate minimum protection requirements, and provide for tests aimed at determining the compliance of the insulation system.

How to Obtain Certification for Electronics

Manufacturers, companies, importers, and distributors with a trade license in the UAE can apply for the procedure. Otherwise, the application for the document will be rejected.

The procedure for obtaining a certificate includes the following stages:

• Registration and submission of an application on the official MOIAT website (Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology). Log in and submit your application.
• Attach the necessary documents: filled application, technical description of the product, drawings and specifications, test results, laboratory reports, compliance declarations, production quality documents. You may be asked to provide additional documents.
• Pay the fee. This can also be done on the website.
• Wait for the document review. The average review and issuance period is from one to three months.

For electrical equipment, a standard energy efficiency label may be required to confirm that your product complies with modern energy-saving requirements.

For some products falling under the Emirates Quality Mark (EQM) scheme, a mandatory on-site inspection is required. A third-party conformity assessment body verifies the production site, equipment availability, and functionality, and conditions. The validity period of the license from the date of issue is one year for ECAS and three years for EQM certificates. Annual renewal of the document and re-inspection is required.

If your product meets quality standards, all conditions at production and storage facilities are met, then there should be no problems with passing the procedure. If you still encounter difficulties, The Level Consulting can help resolve your issue. We provide legal support at all stages of legalization and business registration in the UAE, handle document processing, account opening, and provide full support. We work under contract.

Remember that certification is a mandatory document without which trading in electronic equipment in the UAE will be illegal.