The quality of bottled water you drink in the UAE…

A resolution on the regulation of UAE drinking water has been signed. With the implementation of the UAE Scheme for Drinking Water the quality of bottled water is expected to improve.

From April 1 2014, the quality of bottled drinking water and ice products can be verified by checking whether the product has been approved by the Emirates Standardisation Metrology Authority (Esma), in which case it will contain the Emirates Quality Mark (EQM).

ESMA instructed about 100 companies and manufacturers located in the UAE to register for the regulation scheme before that date, and to assure compliance with the new requirements.

Traders and distributors importing drinking water to the UAE will also be subjected to the scheme and are required to register before the scheme is implemented.

The drinking water industry will be inspected from the initial manufacturing to the bottle on the shelves, explains Mohamed Saleh Badri, Acting Director-General of Esma.

“There are many aspects to the chain, and previously there was little regulation along the process. Companies only had to comply with the minimum regulation of the government. There will be improved regulation now.

“We are better positioned now to monitor certain processes, such as the labelling for example. Companies will have to mention whether the water is from a well, or from desalination. All are good, but the customer will now have the option.”

Esma will also be looking at the material used in the production process, such as coolers, bottles, containers, tankers and pipelines to make sure these materials guarantee good maintenance of the water and are environment friendly.

“We are expecting that quality-wise drinking water in the UAE will improve a little,” he said.

Asked which elements of the production chain will see most improvement, he said: “Storage. Drinking water is sometimes stored at unsuitable temperatures, such as in warehouses. These temperatures may not be right for the material used. “

Until April companies have a grace period in order to comply with the new rules, but after that no unregulated products may enter the market. Violators will be penalised with a fine ranging from Dh30,000 to Dh100,000, depending on the severity of the violation.

“Esma is the national standardisation body of the UAE and it has responsibility to prepare, issue and adopt standards related to the products that affect health, safety and environment. Since drinking water is crucial to consumers’ health, Esma prepared a regulation on drinking water,” said Badri earlier to this website
 

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