Dekra, the third largest inspection company in the world, said its testing laboratory in the Middle East has been awarded an ISO 17025 certification by the Dubai Accreditation Center (DAC).

The company opened its first independent testing laboratory in the Jebel Ali Free Zone Area (Jafza) in Dubai, UAE, in February. The facility is designed to perform tests for products like switchgear assemblies, cables, busbar trunking systems, and packaged substations in line with national and international standards and/or client-specific requirements.

Dekra said it was the first independent testing laboratory to receive accreditation for the scope of low voltage power distribution equipment (IEC 61439 series).

A laboratory accreditation, such as ISO 17025, uses criteria and procedures to determine technical competence. This assures customers that the test, calibration, or measurement data supplied by the laboratory are accurate and reliable, said a statement from the company.

The data from accredited laboratories are more readily accepted in overseas markets, helping manufacturers and exporters reduce costs, it added.

Bert Zoetbrood, globally responsible for the product testing and certification division, Dekra, said: “With the opening of our testing laboratory in Dubai we help our customers in the Middle East faster and act more locally in a global environment.”

“Our accredited laboratory enables us to offer globally recognised and comparable testing. We are continuously expanding our activities. By broadening our solutions offering in dynamic, growing markets we are helping customers to meet the demand for safe products,” he said.

“To strengthen our laboratory’s local footprint in the Middle East, the choice to cooperate with a local accreditation body was made quickly,” he added.

“The accreditation process with the DAC was transparent and went swiftly. We enjoyed cooperating closely with them and look forward to continuing our working relationship in the near future,” Zoetbrood concluded. – TradeArabia News Service