Abu Dhabi: The UAE drinking water control system comes into effect on October 1, according to the Emirates Standardisation and Metrology Authority (Esma).
Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water and Chairman of Esma, said that the previously set deadline of April 1 was extended in response to requests made by drinking water producers, allowing the companies to completely sell their stock currently in the local market.
Bin Fahd added that the grace period was approved in order to avoid a shortage of drinking water in the local market and to help producers avoid financial losses. He pointed out that the authority was keen to coordinate with regulatory bodies and customs authorities to ensure the implementation of the new standards, and providing producers with time to adjust their products in compliance with the new system, which was issued by the UAE Cabinet in cooperation with partners in the public and private sector.
Bin Fahd said that 154 companies have been registered in the drinking water control system, pointing out that 98 were registered in 2013, and 56 in the past four months. He said that 14 companies have applied to receive the Emirates Quality Mark, with eight of them receiving it and the other six currently in the final review process.
