Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Dubai

Dubai Municipality has banned the sale and circulation of one-time use disposable mobile phone chargers in the emirate. It has given a one month deadline for shops to return the imported chargers to their country of origin.

The small, wireless portable chargers for both Android and iOS phones are branded as “Power Patch” and mainly sourced through websites.

Hussain Nasser Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality has issued a decree banning these chargers that pose environment hazard, the civic body announced on Wednesday.

The decree was issued based on the municipality’s keenness to implement the highest standards of health and safety based on the Local Order No. 10 of 2003 on the technical requirements to be provided in electrical appliances in the emirate of Dubai and also the Local Order No. 11 of 2003 on Public Health and Community Safety in Dubai, municipality said in a press release.

Redha Salman, director of Health and Safety Department said that the decision came after the municipality confirmed the non-feasibility of using these chargers and their dangerous effects on the environment.

“They are also increasing the quantity of electronic waste in the general waste, which constitutes an environmental burden. Besides the environmental damage, these chargers also cause financial loss to the public due to their short life,” said Salman.

“The municipality calls upon all establishments operating in the emirate not to import or sell any disposable and non-rechargeable one-time use mobile phone chargers and return them to the country of origin or re-export within one month from the date of issuance of the circular as they carry environmental risks, and we have to work for environmental protection and public health and safety,” he said.

Speaking to Gulf News, Salman said the municipality had found local dealers for this device that is sold across many shops.

“The risks and hazard to the environment outweigh the benefit they have which is very short- lived. If the dealers and retail shops do not return the products to the countries from where they came, we will confiscate the products and destroy them and also levy charges on and penalize the violators.”

He said that with this circular, the Municipality aims to raise the level of public and environmental safety and hopes everyone will remain committed and will contribute to achieving this goal.

Otherwise, the official said, it will be considered as a clear violation of the provisions of Local Order No. 11 of 2003 on public health and safety of the society.

“Therefore, all necessary legal procedures will be taken against the violating establishments in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.”

Staff Report

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