ABU DHABI, 22nd July, 2017 (WAM) -- The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, QCC, has carried out a series of inspections in the first half of 2017 to verify the accuracy of legal measuring instruments and pre-packaged products used in the Abu Dhabi market and ensure their compliance with the applicable standards.

As part of the drive, the council inspected over the past six months 4,871 legal measuring instruments, including trade scales, gold, jewellery and precious metal scales, oud and Arabian perfume scales, weighing platforms, shipping scales and petroleum meters, as well as 9,010 pre-packaged products.

Sultan Al Mehairi, Director of Information Service and Engagement at QCC, said, "The inspection drive aligns with QCCs mandate of developing advanced quality infrastructure in Abu Dhabi. Through achieving this goal, the council seeks to contribute to enabling sustainable growth, enhancing the competitiveness of the emirates economy and creating a favourable investment environment that supports the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Plan." "QCC works relentlessly to protect the rights of consumers and traders, and create a safe and fair market environment in the emirate. This latest initiative aims to boost consumer confidence in the market through ensuring that measuring instruments provide accurate readings and that traders adhere to the relevant regulations," he added.

The inspection found 95 percent of the 1,394 trade scales examined during 1,418 visits to be compliant with the relevant regulations. In addition, 249 jewellery and precious metal scales underwent verification during 268 visits, with 98 per cent passing the verification. Of the 127 oud and Arabian perfume scales targeted during 146 visits, 94 percent met the required specifications.

Traders who used scales that failed to meet specifications were asked to rectify any deficiencies and re-verify them to ensure compliance with the mandatory requirements.

QCC also confirmed the accuracy of 178 scales used at Abu Dhabi airports and cargo companies to weigh loads ranging from 150 kg to two tonnes, including cargo and luggage. The move aimed to ensure that aircrafts do not carry more than the permitted weight and travellers are charged the correct fees as per the weight of their lug gages. The inspectors also examined 56 floor scales and weighing platforms used for loads exceeding two tonnes during 75 visits.

As part of the campaign, QCC completed the first round of fuel meter verifications at 131 ADNOC Distribution service stations in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra with 99 percent of the 2,867 fuel meters found compliant. Following the inspection, ADNOC Distribution carried out adjustments on the remaining instruments to ensure their accuracy.

QCC inspectors visited 27 factories manufacturing pre-packaged food items and examined 9,010 containers of 156 products including liquids such as milk and juices, as well as solids such as cheeses and biscuits.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.