Recycled Crushed Aggregates, Lube Oils and Biodiesel to be Included in New Scheme

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 21 January, 2014

The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) has collaborated with Tadweer (Center of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi) to launch a quality and conformity standards scheme for recycled crushed aggregates, biodiesel and re-refined lube oils used in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

QCC has developed the Recycled Aggregates Conformity Scheme in line with the Abu Dhabi Executive Council Order of 2010 that mandates the recovery of at least 40% aggregate of recycled construction and demolition (C&D) waste for use in road construction or any other infrastructure projects within the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Recycled products complying with QCC's stringent criteria standards will receive Certificates of Conformity and bear the Abu Dhabi Trustmark for Environmental Performance. The Trustmark will add significant value to the promotion and merchandising of the base and sub-base types of construction products recovered from the Recycled Crushed Aggregates (RCA). It will also guarantee that the recovered construction waste may be used in suitable infrastructure projects without harm to human health or the environment. 

RCA consists of clean, hard, durable rock, concrete and sand fragments of uniform quality and consistency derived from C&D waste. It is subjected to specific tests to verify its plasticity index, liquid limit, flakiness, elongation, sulfate, magnesium and chloride content to constitute the base and sub-base categories of recycled construction products.

Salem Khalid Al Qassimi, Director of Product Conformity at the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) said: "QCC is responsible for the development of quality infrastructure in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The QCC Trustmark increases market confidence in the quality of recycled products and eventually encourages better recovery and recycling systems and practices.

"Our collaboration with Tadweer articulates our shared commitment in the effective use of construction waste for achieving sustainable development as outlined by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. As part of this priority, we look forward to joining hands on other significant projects for the wider benefit of our people in the emirate."

Engineer Hani Hosni, Director of Strategy and Business Development Sector at Tadweer, said: "We always seek to extend our cooperation with all strategic partners to discuss issues that need collaboration and collective efforts to protect our environment. This agreement with QCC comes in line with Tadweer's responsibilities, objectives and plans to support sustainable development in Abu Dhabi and achieve a clean, healthy and sustainable environment in the emirate."

The Recycled Aggregates Conformity Scheme has also been specified for biodiesel, which is a derivative of waste vegetable or animal fats or oil, and can be used in standard diesel engines. Re-refined engine lubricant base oil can also be re-used as engine lubricant. 

The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council was established in 2009 to raise the quality of Abu Dhabi's exports and products traded locally. QCC sets guidelines and benchmarks to identify and verify that products manufactured and traded in the emirate conform to the highest quality standards. In addition to protecting the interests of Abu Dhabi's consumers, QCC is mandated to support its competitive economy and integration into the global marketplace. This is achieved by enabling regulators to establish and implement product safety, legal metrology and conformity schemes.

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© Press Release 2014