Law No. (9) of 2024

Amending Law No. (27) of 2015

Establishing the Emirates International Accreditation Centre[1]

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We, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai,

After perusal of:

Federal Law by Decree No. (20) of 2020 Concerning Specifications and Standards;

Law No. (27) of 2015 Establishing the Emirates International Accreditation Centre (the “Original Law”);

Law No. (26) of 2023 Concerning the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai;

Decree No. (22) of 2009 Concerning Special Development Zones in the Emirate of Dubai;

Decree No. (1) of 2023 Concerning Governance of the Councils/ Boards and Committees Affiliated to the Government of Dubai;

Regulation No. (2) of 2010 Regulating the Work of Conformity Assessment Entities in the Emirate of Dubai; and

The legislation establishing and regulating free zones in the Emirate of Dubai,

Do hereby issue this Law.

Superseded Articles

Article (1)

Articles (2), (5), (6), (8), (9), and (12) of the Original Law are hereby superseded by the following:

Definitions

Article (2)

The following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Law, will have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:

UAE:

The United Arab Emirates.

Emirate:

The Emirate of Dubai.

Ruler:

His Highness the Ruler of Dubai.

Executive Council:

The Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai.

EIAC:

The Emirates International Accreditation Centre.

Board of Directors:

The board of directors of the EIAC.

Chairman:

The chairman of the Board of Directors.

CEO:

The chief executive officer of the EIAC.

Conformity Assessment Entity:

Any entity that provides Conformity Assessment Services.

Conformity Assessment Services:

These include testing, Calibration, and inspection services; granting conformity certificates for products, systems, persons, processes, and services; conducting conformity assessment of halal activities as well as the activities of medical laboratories, biobanks, providers of eligibility testing and reference materials, and conformity verification entities; and any other services determined pursuant to the relevant resolutions of the Chairman.

Healthcare Facility:

A facility, owned or managed by a natural or legal person, which is licensed by a competent authority to provide persons with preventive, treatment, and convalescence healthcare services. This includes, but is not limited to, hospitals, day surgery centres, specialised and cosmetic clinics, and medical tourism centres.

Accreditation:

Recognition by the EIAC that a Conformity Assessment Entity or Healthcare Facility is competent and capable of providing its services in accordance with the relevant requirements, conditions, standards, and specifications adopted by federal, local, and international entities.

Accreditation Symbol:

A symbol which consists of the EIAC logo and the Accreditation number of a Conformity Assessment Entity or Healthcare Facility accredited by the EIAC, and which distinguishes that entity or facility from other entities.

Objectives of the EIAC

Article (5)

The EIAC aims to:

1.    enhance the global standing of the UAE and the Emirate by obtaining international recognition in various areas of Accreditation from concerned regional and international organisations;

2.    facilitate trade operations and enhance the role of the UAE and the Emirate in the fields of commerce and industry by promoting the recognition of the certificates issued by the international Conformity Assessment Entities accredited by the EIAC;

3.    contribute to the protection of the environment and the promotion of health and safety; support the national economy and consumer protection; and boost the competitiveness of economic establishments in local, regional, and international markets, through the Accreditation of Conformity Assessment Entities that grant conformity assessment certificates for commodities and services at the international level, in accordance with the relevant adopted standard specifications;

4.    ensure the quality, trustworthiness, and credibility of the certificates and reports issued by Conformity Assessment Entities and Healthcare Facilities; and

5.    raise the level of Accreditation standards in line with the international developments and improve the quality of Conformity Assessment Services.

Functions of the EIAC

Article (6)

For the purpose of achieving its objectives, the EIAC will have the duties and powers to:

1.    accredit Conformity Assessment Entities and Healthcare Facilities within and outside of the UAE, and grant them the Accreditation Symbol in accordance with the relevant adopted requirements and standards;

2.    register, and issue the necessary permits and approvals to, the Conformity Assessment Entities operating in the Emirate, including in Special Development Zones and free zones. This does not apply to the medical laboratories, biobanks, Healthcare Facilities, and Conformity Assessment Entities affiliated to Government Entities in the Emirate;

3.    develop and approve the processes and procedures required for verifying the competence of Conformity Assessment Entities and Healthcare Facilities;

4.    follow up the activities of Conformity Assessment Entities and monitor their compliance with the relevant applicable legislation and adopted specifications by conducting inspection and assessment visits to the places in which these entities provide their services;

5.    establish the requirements and standards for using Accreditation Symbols by Conformity Assessment Entities and Healthcare Facilities;

6.    participate in, and coordinate with the concerned federal and local entities on, the development of standard specifications and Conformity Assessment systems for various products and services, where required;

7.    develop, in coordination with the Concerned Entities, databases and electronic and digital applications to improve the services provided by the EIAC at the local, regional, and international levels;

8.    raise awareness on the importance of the work of the EIAC and on the role of Accreditation in protecting the environment and preserving health and safety;

9.    hold, organise, and conduct specialised technical training programmes and conferences; and coordinate with educational institutions and research centres to develop specialised academic programmes in the field of Conformity Assessment and Accreditation;

10.  cooperate and participate with other entities, persons, corporations, and authorities within and outside of the UAE in areas related to the EIAC work and duties; and conclude any relevant agreements or memoranda of understanding;

11.  participate in the international events and functions related to Accreditation and Conformity Assessment, and represent, in coordination with the concerned federal and local entities, the Emirate or the UAE in such events and functions; and

12.  exercise any other duties or powers related to the achievement of the objectives of the EIAC, as assigned to it by the Executive Council.

Functions of the Board of Directors

Article (8)

a.    The Board of Directors is the highest authority of the EIAC. It will undertake the general supervision of the work and activities of the EIAC. In particular, the Board of Directors will have the duties and powers to:

1.    approve the general policy and strategic plans of the EIAC, which determine priorities in the achievement of its objectives; submit the same to the Executive Council for final approval; and supervise their implementation;

2.    approve the annual budget and financial statements of the EIAC, and submit the same to the competent entities in the Emirate for final approval;

3.    approve the organisational structure of the EIAC, and submit the same to the Executive Council for final approval;

4.    approve the administrative and financial bylaws and regulations governing the work of the EIAC;

5.    approve the services, work, activities, and projects of the EIAC;

6.    approve the fees and charges for the services provided by the EIAC, and submit the same to the competent entities in the Emirate for final approval;

7.    review the annual performance reports of the EIAC, and submit the same to the Executive Council for approval; and

8.    exercise any other duties or powers required for the achievement of the objectives of EIAC, as assigned to it by the Executive Council.

b.    The Board of Directors may delegate any of its powers under paragraph (a) of this Article to any of its Members or to the CEO, provided that such delegation is specific and in writing.

Governance of the Board of Directors

Article (9)

The above-mentioned Decree No. (1) of 2023 and the resolutions issued in pursuance thereof apply to the management of the meetings of the Board of Directors, to its Terms of Reference, and to the duties of its Chairman and Members.

Functions of the CEO

Article (12)

a.    The CEO will undertake direct supervision of the work of the EIAC. For this purpose, the CEO will have the duties and powers to:

1.    develop the general policy and strategic plans of the EIAC, which determine priorities in the achievement of its objectives, and submit the same to the Board of Directors for approval;

2.    supervise the executive body of the EIAC and its work, activities, projects, and services;

3.    prepare the draft annual budget and the financial statements of the EIAC, and submit the same to the Board of Directors for approval;

4.    propose the organisational structure of the EIAC, and submit the same to the Board of Directors for approval;

5.    propose the bylaws and regulations governing the administrative and financial work of the EIAC, and submit the same to the Board of Directors for approval;

6.    approve the operational procedures and manuals of the EIAC;

7.    propose fees and charges for the services provided by the EIAC, and submit the same to the Board of Directors for approval;

8.    prepare and develop annual performance indicators for the EIAC, and submit periodic reports on the same to the Board of Directors;

9.    propose the services, work, activities, and projects of the EIAC; and submit the same to the Board of Directors for approval;

10.  represent the EIAC before third parties; and conclude the contracts, agreements, and memoranda of understanding to which the EIAC is party;

11.  form permanent and temporary specialised committees and work teams, and determine their duties with a view to achieving the objectives of the EIAC;

12.  seek assistance from experts and specialists in areas related to the work of the EIAC; and

13.  exercise any other duties or powers assigned or delegated to him by the Board of Directors.

b.    The CEO may delegate any of his powers under paragraph (a) of this Article to any of the EIAC employees, provided that such delegation is specific and in writing.

Repeals

Article (2)

Any provision in any other legislation is hereby repealed to the extent that it contradicts the provisions of this Law.

Commencement and Publication

Article (3)

This Law comes into force on the day on which it is issued, and will be published in the Official Gazette.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Ruler of Dubai

Issued in Dubai on 3 April 2024

Corresponding to 24 Ramadan 1445 A.H.



©2024 The Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai

[1]Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.