UAE to unify practices and standardisations

The 2012 IECEX International Conference: Equipment and Services in Explosive Atmospheres got underway in Dubai today with the participation of a group of leading international experts.

On this occasion, Mohammed Saleh Badri, Director General of the Emirates Authority for Standardisation '&' Metrology (ESMA), revealed that an Emirati committee to unify practices and standardisations related to equipment and services in explosive atmospheres will be formed in the country within the next few months, following the example of advanced countries in this regard.

"We are planning to set up an Emirati committee to adopt the experience of the Geneva-based International Electro-technical Commission with regard to practices and standardisations followed by this UN accredited organization in this field," Badri said.

The two-day conference, organized by ESMA in collaboration with United Nations Economic Commissions for Europe (UNECE), and the International Electro-technical Commission.

Badri said that he expects by 2014 ESMA will be permitted to give Ex conformity certificates as per with the IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres.

"The next step is to promote the culture of awareness about the role and importance of standardization bodies and their activities in the oil and gas sector and their installations, such as Adnoc, Enoc, Emarat and gas companies to ensure their compliance with international standards, and protect any facility from a certain hazard and prevent disasters and accidents," Badri said.

"Good and proper product, safe work environment and qualified staff are the key themes that must be given a top priority, he noted.

Badri said the conference comes in line with the UAE Government's guidelines and UAE Vision 2021 for making the UAE one of the world's best countries by 2021, as well as with the Government's Strategy that aims to ensure security and public safety and the safety of all members of the public.

''Our aim is to achieve our government's strategic objective of providing safety and healthy environment and protecting customers in the country by ensuring the compliance of services and consuming commodities and others, with international quality and Ex standards, he added.

The conference discussed a host of topics and issues pertaining to the Ex field, such as plant design, principles and practical applications of area classification, installation and repair in compliance to IEC International Standards.

The two-day event offers a unique opportunity for industries and participants in the region not only to get better acquainted with IECE and find out how they can best benefit from the services and system provides, but also to get involved and form precious contacts and networks within the Ex community of experts.

Hosting the conference is in line with the ESMA's message to provide the related solutions to all members of the community through the issuance and implementation of legislation, rules and programs, as well as with its role in supervising the areas of safety and health and environmental protection by the use of the international best practices.

The conference brings together 200 experts from 28 Arab, European, Asian and African countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Britain, Germany, Russia, Australia, USA, France, Japan, India, Pakistan, Cameroon, Canada, Nigeria, in addition to the UAE. All these countries are represented by companies operating in an explosive environment, including companies involved in oil and energy sector within the UAE. In addition to certification bodies that grant certificates in compliance with the approved international system, as well as governmental agencies concerned in safety in these countries, and national standards bodies.

Badri stressed the importance of initiatives that aim at establishing the culture of safety and good performance by identifying equipment used in areas exposed to the risk of explosion and exchange of information and expertise for the development of technologies, as well as raising the efficiency and safety of these products, as well as by learning the best applied practices in the conformity assessment systems, in addition to communication and establishing a network of knowledge in the community of experts in hazardous sectors.

The conference featured several sessions focusing on the IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres in the areas of equipment and services and personnel competence, presentation of the IEC conformity certificate, as well as the latest developments in the field.

The conference featured several themes and discussed issues involving international standardization, equipment manufacturing, inspection, repair and overhaul of Ex equipment and systems, and the assessment and certification of personnel competence, as well as issues concerning requirements and regulations in the GCC.

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