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29 March 2024

Revealed: Why your favourite home appliance is off the shelves

Abdulla Al Maeeni, Director of Conformity Affairs dept. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By VM Sathish

Inspectors of the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma) have taken several products off the shelves across the UAE for failing to comply with the requirements.

“The companies have been fined heavily,” Abdulla Abdelqadir Al Maeeni, Director of Conformity Affairs at the department has revealed to Emirates 24|7.

In an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the Big Five exhibition at the Dubai World Trade Center, Al Maeeni, who oversaw the investigation and confiscation of these products from the market based on market intelligence and the spot investigations, said electrical appliances that did not meet the Esma quality standards were removed from shelves and companies were fined Dh 30,000.

“Further legal proceedings can be taken against such erring firms,” he added.

“We have ordered 11 companies manufacturing and distributing electrical appliances to take their products off the shelves.

“The items removed include water heaters, kitchen appliances like gas stoves, which did not have safety valves and other electrical appliances.

“About 21 different models of electrical appliances have been removed from the shelves and we will continue our investigation,” he said.

Esma is the standard organisation of the UAE, headed by Chairman Dr Rashed Ahmed Bin Fahad, the UAE Minister of Water and Environment.

According to Esma, many low-voltage electrical equipment like power extension cords and adapters, electric irons, microwaves, driers, electric cooking stoves, electromechanical cooking equipment’s vacuum cleaners, fans and fan systems, grass trimmers, gas powered ovens and cooking ranges, television sets and panels, personal care products and grooming items, switches and dimmers, and general use main plugs and socket outlets have to be compulsorily registered with Esma.

“These are equipment which operates in the voltage rating between 50 to 1000 volts for alternative current and between 75 volts to 1500 volts for direct current,” Al Maeeni elaborated.

Companies manufacturing and distributing these appliances have to obtain an Esma stamp after test reports.

Cigarettes, retreaded tires, diesel, lubricating oils, organic foods, energy drinks, oxo-biodegradable products, bottled drinking water and liquefied petroleum gas, are also among the products that have to be mandatorily registered with the authority.

“We are going to implement and revise some of the norms soon and with effect from January 2014, there will be more inspections and surveillance in the market,” he said.
 

[Image via Shutterstock]