Abu Dhabi, UAE - Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), the entity responsible for developing the quality infrastructure in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, has launched a special program to qualify the inspectors of Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP). The program is being formulated for the first time at an international level in collaboration with IPAF, and more than 60 inspectors from the private sector in the Emirate of Dubai are participating in order to evaluate their efficiency on inspecting 4 different type of lifting machines known as MEWPs (mobile elevating work platforms).

The launch of the program is a part of the “2018 Proficiency Testing Programs Plan”, which was announced by the QCC at the beginning of the year. It includes 32 programs covering 187 medical, environmental, construction, soil and inspection tests, aiming at improving the level of testing and inspection in Abu Dhabi in accordance with the best programs, scientific methodologies, and modern techniques adopted internationally in the field of quality and standards.

Sultan Saeed Al Mehairi, Director of Information Service and Engagement at QCC, said: “QCC is proud to launch this pioneering proficiency testing program, which is aimed at raising the level of inspection in Abu Dhabi to the highest international standards, thus contributing to the role of the council in developing the standard infrastructure in the capital, in line with Abu Dhabi's plan to build a strong and competitive economy.”

He added: “The QCC is keen to support the implementation of quality and safety standards and regulations in Abu Dhabi, and contribute to the enhancement of the quality and safety of the devices, techniques and equipment used in various business sectors, including lifting equipment. This equipment is designed to allow people to work safely and efficiently, while maintaining productivity, in high places. It also provides an ideal alternative to traditional access equipment such as ladders and scaffolding.”

Mr. Jason Woods ,Middle East & India Representative of IPAF said: “IPAF, (International Powered Access Federation) are very pleased to support QCC within the Proficiency Testing set out for inspection companies in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Our key goal is to understand the knowledge of the inspector when carrying out the annual or bi-annual inspections on Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs). Throughout the Middle East, IPAF support and development is offered to all industrial sectors focusing on minimising accidents and incidents whilst working at height. We are very encouraged that QCC has taken the lead in the Middle East running such a program of assessment, this can only strengthen the standard of engineers we have in the field,. Especially as this is the very first time such an event has taken place.

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) promotes the safe and effective use of powered access equipment across the globe in the widest sense – by providing technical advice and information; influencing and interpreting legislation and standards; and through safety initiatives and training programmes. I’m pleased to announce in 2017 IPAF Operator Training (ISO188/78) saw over 5,000 operators trained in the Middle East through our network of approved training providers.”

The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council is organizing a series of programs to train, qualify and develop analysts and specialists in Abu Dhabi as a part of its “2018 Proficiency Testing Programs Plan”, launched earlier this year. The council works in cooperation with the best local and international institutions specialized in the fields of quality, conformity and standards, in order to ensure that products, cadres, and systems conform to the specific quality standards set by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Those who are interested in participating in these programs can go to the following link for further details, dates and prices. (https://qcc.abudhabi.ae/_layouts/15/xlviewer.aspx?id=/CABDocs/PT/01_PT_Plan.xlsx).

QCC is the first government Entity in Abu Dhabi to receive international accreditation in accordance with the standard ISO / IEC 17020: 2012, which reflects the council’s commitment to the leadership's wise perception to achieve Abu Dhabi's plan and vision.

The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council was established in 2009 to raise the quality of the emirate’s exports and locally traded products while protecting the interests of consumers and supporting the UAE’s competitive economy. QCC empowers regulators to establish and implement product safety, legal metrology and conformity schemes. The council also sets guidelines and benchmarks to verify that products manufactured and traded in Abu Dhabi Emirate conform to the highest quality standards. 

© Press Release 2018