35% of jewellery weighing scales in the UAE exceeds maximum permissible error - official study

Cooperation with national governments will contribute to protect the rights of the consumers and traders, says Eng Mohammad Saleh Badri, ESMA's Acting Director General

Abu Dhabi, UAE (12 November 2011) - Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology  (ESMA) has announced the results of the survey of weighing scales at jewellery shops in the UAE. The results of the survey show that 35 per cent of the jewellery weighing scales were found to have exceeded the maximum permissible error, as per the UAE standard for non-automatic weighing instruments.

The survey of 800 jewellery weighing scales was conducted in Abu Dhabi(480), Sharjah (260)  and Ajman (60)  from April to October 2011 and is estimated to have covered 10% of the total jewellery weighing scales in the country.

Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) verified the jewellery weighing scales in Abu Dhabi according to cooperation and delegation agreements signed between ESMA and QCC to perform the legal metrology activities in Abu Dhabi.

A survey covering Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah will be conducted over the next two months.

The move, which aims to control the market place as far as measurement is concerned, is in line with Cabinet Decree No.31 in 2006, which gives ESMA the authority to implement the verification of all legal measuring instruments in the UAE.

ESMA recently signed cooperation and delegation agreement with Dubai Municipality to perform the verification of legal metrology instruments including weights and scales in Dubai through Dubai Central Lab (DCL). These activities are expected to start over the next two months.

The results indicate that continuous collaboration with local government agencies in implementing the UAE standards of measurement is essential to bring down the level of inconsistency.

While differences are small, the minuscule inconsistency makes a significant impact in the trade of gold and other precious metals.

Eng Mohammad Saleh Badri, ESMA's Acting Director General, said: "It is the goal of ESMA to protect the interests and rights of the consumers and the traders hence we are conducting the verification of these weighing scales every year.

"We have started with the weighing scales in jewellery shops because of the nature and sensitivity of the product.  Gold is an expensive commodity and any small error may have a huge impact on the economy and on the people. We will also verify weighing scales used in other business sectors beginning next year.

"In terms of the process, a team of legal metrology inspectors and engineers will visit shops in the UAE randomly and verify their weighing scales.  If the scale is not in line as per the technical regulation, adjustments will be made. Then ESMA will put a metrology mark on the weighing scales certifying that they have been checked and verified. That mark will be the consumer's reference and assurance that the weighing scales used in that shop have been verified."

Badri said that all jewellery weighing scales in UAE will verify on 2012 by ESMA and its stakeholders. ESMA will cover the emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Kaimah; while QCC will cover the emirate of Abu Dhabi and the emirate of Dubai will be covered by DCL.

Badri added: "ESMA and its stakeholders will also follow up all weighing scales that have been found not complying with the UAE standards and regulations through surveillance visits to ensure the corrective action was taken by the owner."

-Ends-

About ESMA:
Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) was established as the sole standardization body in the UAE under the Federal Law No. 28/2001. The board of directors chaired by H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, the Minister of Environment & Water in the UAE, comprises representatives of the main parties involved in the standardization of the UAE. The board is the dominant body and lays down its policy of adopting all the suitable procedures to ensure efficient performance to its assignments.

Its tasks include formulating and issuance of national standards of UAE by the specialized technical committees as well as adopting international standards and controlling the implementation of mandatory standards issued by binding resolutions of the UAE Cabinet; providing health, safety and environment protection thereby strengthening the national economy; implementing the national system of measurement calibration, and metrology; setting up a unified national systems and programs for assessing conformity; granting certificates and marks indicating the conformity and safety of products as per international practices ; approving and implementing the national accreditation system by virtue of which testing and calibration laboratories are approved; issuing of publications and other communication materials containing information about its activities; distributing and  selling of UAE standard specifications; and representing the country in regional and international conferences and organizations.

© Press Release 2011