UAE’s Emirates Standard Metrology Authority (ESMA) has approved NSF International, a global standards organisation, to provide auditing and testing for the Emirates Quality Mark certification of bottled drinking water.

The Emirates Quality Mark verifies that products are compliant with the relevant UAE, international and Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO) standards and are manufactured by an organization implementing an effective food safety management system (FSMS) to ensure continuous compliance.

By October, Emirates Quality Mark certification is mandatory for all bottled waters sold in the UAE from both local and international bottlers.

Manufacturers of bottled drinking water certified to the Emirates Quality Mark will undergo an on-site audit by NSF International to assess conformity with UAE standards and regulations. The bottling facility will be audited for implementing food safety programs, including a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system and Good Manufacturing Practices, and the product will be reviewed for microbiological and chemical quality.

"In its continuous endeavour of improving the quality of products, ESMA has made strategic partnerships with various global experts such as NSF International. The aim of these partnerships is to use their experience and knowledge in the relevant fields for long term sustainable gains," said Abdulla Al Maeeni, acting director general for ESMA.

Tom Chestnut, senior vice president, NSF International Global Food Safety and Quality Division, said: "Food safety management is essential for safer bottled water and NSF International can help beverage manufacturers across the globe gain access to the growing United Arab Emirates market.”

“Bottled water manufacturers can streamline their certifications, saving time and costs, by using NSF to manage certifications to both NSF and Emirates Quality Mark standards, along with their global food safety approvals," he added. – TradeArabia News Service