IDB conducts an outreach campaign on the compliance with the requirements of non-supply and sale of non-conforming cement

The Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) has conducted field visits to the building material’s sale outlets in order to educate them about the importance of compliance with the non-supply and sale of cement that is non-conforming to local or federal specifications. This comes in response to the circular issued by Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), which instructs outlets to stop selling cement that is non-conforming to the specifications and standards by allowing 6-month grace period that expires by the end of March 2021.

The Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) has conducted field visits to the building material’s sale outlets in order to educate them about the importance of compliance with the non-supply and sale of cement that is non-conforming to local or federal specifications. This comes in response to the circular issued by Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), which instructs outlets to stop selling cement that is non-conforming to the specifications and standards by allowing 6-month grace period that expires by the end of March 2021. 
Due to this, field inspection teams that are affiliated to ADDED are conducting ongoing inspection campaigns targeting over 1261 sale outlets in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra to ensure their compliance with the circular. This circular allows for legal accountability and administrative penalties against the violators. 

Mr. Rabea Salmin Al Hajeri, Acting Executive Director of Commercial Affairs Sector, said that intensifying the field inspection campaigns for the building material’s sale outlets comes as part of the implementation of the circular regarding the sale of cement. The inspection team informs the owners of such facilities that the grace period expires at the end of March 2021 and that they must rectify their status and stop selling non- conforming products by that time. Sales outlets must obtain a conformity certificate from the relevant authorities prior to selling cement.     

HE Munif Al Mansouri, Executive Director of IDB, affiliated to ADDED, noted that these efforts are part of a joint project between Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council and IDB. This circular aims to boost the quality of domestic products and promote their competitiveness in local and global markets through developing technical standards and conformity programs for products manufactured in the emirate, including cement.