The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council has launched an array of services pertaining to the safety of consumer products in the emirate.

The services were announced at the first Consumer Product Safety Forum held by the council at the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi yesterday (December 20).

The forum was attended by the owners of import companies, toy and gift shops and establishments selling domestic electronic appliances.

It was also attended by a group of officials in charge of government authorities and departments and relevant economic sectors whose activities require the quality and conformity standards and specifications to be ensured, promoted and applied in all business sectors in Abu Dhabi.

Hussein Salem Al Katheeri, secretary general of the council, pointed out that the council's priorities are embodied in increasing awareness of quality in Abu Dhabi, activating the mandatory regulations through the effective use of the quality infrastructure and ensuring the development of the organisational environment with the aim of enhancing the quality of goods, services and commodities traded in the emirate.

The forum was held to introduce the council's method of work and plan for serving Abu Dhabi's economy over the upcoming stage and enhance its competitiveness at the regional and global levels.

Based on this, the council was keen on throwing the light on the elements of quality as embodied in specifications, standards, conformity assessment bodies, accreditation and market surveys, noting the organic relationship between the council's mission and Abu Dhabi Vision 2030, particularly its economic theme.

Al Katheeri said: "This forum is a station towards building an open, efficient and effective business environment which is integrated into the global economy to support the economic growth and development, enabling Abu Dhabi to secure the position it deserves among the advanced economies of the world."

Al Katheeri pointed out that the council exerted strenuous efforts in this connection including actual inspection of more than 2,500 stores in Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain City and the Western Region.

The forum included an introductory presentation about the mechanisms used in issuing conformity certificates for the traded products. It also included a summary of inspection and customer safety services and the requirements of conformity of electric appliances and toys with the UAE and international safety standards.

The forum also featured an explanation of the council's future plans for surveying the markets in Abu Dhabi. – TradeArabia News Service