Certification

1.     UAE Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) for Steel bars for concrete reinforcement

CARES is appointed as a Notified Body by the Ministry of Information and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) for the issuance of conformity certificates for steel bars for concrete reinforcement products under the UAE Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) according to the technical requirements of UAE Cabinet Decision No. 121 of 2023.  

ECAS is a Conformity Assessment Scheme implemented by MoIAT as a mandatory programme for all regulated products. The ECAS certificate is valid for one year and subject to annual renewal. Alternatively, an application can be made for the Emirates Quality Mark (EQM) which includes ECAS and is a mark of conformity granted to the products that comply with the relevant UAE Assessment Scheme and are manufactured by an organisation implementing an effective Quality Management System to ensure continuous compliance. The EQM certificate is a voluntary and is valid for 3 years.

1.1    UAE Steel regulations

Cabinet Decision No. 121/2023 applies to all UAE, including free zones, and non-UAE based manufacturers of in-scope steel products.  Manufacturers of in-scope products should apply the provisions of the Cabinet Decision No. 121/2023 by 27th November 2024.

Cabinet Decision No. 121/2023 can be viewed online here:
https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/2346

The guidance document for the implementation of Cabinet decision No. 121/2023 can be viewed here:

 MoIAT Guidance to UAE Steel Regulation

1.2    Application Process

Please contact us with your enquiry for UAE Steel Regulation conformity certification and we will respond in a clear and efficient manner.  When it has been agreed between CARES and the applicant that an application will go ahead, the applicant is required to submit an application which generally consists of a completed and signed application form, an updated copy (in English) of the firm's Management System documented information and the relevant application fee.  Additionally, the applicant is required to complete MoIAT registration and CARES can assist with the process.

1.2.1  Application Process Flow

1.2.2   ECAS Application & Approval Procedure

1.2.3   EQM Application & Approval Procedure

1.3    Directory of Certified Products

A directory of certified products is published online on the MoIAT Conformity Hub https://chub-stag.moiat.gov.ae/certified-products  Results can be filtered by selecting the Regulation Steel bars for concrete reinforcement.

2.     Steel for the reinforcement of concrete

2.1.   Assessment and certification system

The objective of the scheme is to give confidence to the purchaser and user of reinforcing steel products and/or associated services that the product and/or service complies with the appropriate specification without the need to undertake separate verification. It involves the application of quality assurance principles to assess the supplier’s documented management systems and, as appropriate, product testing, to ensure conformity with the requirements contained in the Scheme.

This scheme covers the entire supply chain for reinforcing steels, including areas such as welding and the application of mechanical couplers, thereby ensuring that reinforcement is correctly produced, processed and delivered to site.

2.2.  Principles

The assessment and certification system employed in the Scheme has been developed around the following principles:

• The Scheme is concerned with ensuring that the products and/or services comply with the relevant Standards.
• Certification is open to all who can demonstrate to CARES that it may manufacture and process steel which will consistently comply with product standards.
• The responsibility for compliance with Standards rests absolutely with the Firm.
• The means of ensuring consistent compliance with the Standards is the formal documented information of the management system which the supplier must operate and implement to the satisfaction of CARES and which is subject to assessment by CARES at periodic intervals.

2.3.  Quality and operations assessment schedules

The Scheme’s Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules is shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules

2.4.  Applying for CARES certification

The CARES office will respond to any enquiry for certification in a clear and efficient manner. When it has been agreed between CARES and the applicant firm that an application will go ahead, the applicant is required to submit an application which generally consists of a completed and signed application form, an updated copy (in English) of the firm’s Management System documented information and the relevant application fee.

Please view the following link for details, Application Process

2.5.  Approval process

The CARES approval process is a multi-stage process. Please view the following link for details, Approval Process

2.6.  Maintenance process

Please view the following link for details, Maintenance Process

2.7.  Additional information

• Applicants will be refused certification if the applicant fails to meet the requirements of the relevant CARES scheme. The applicant will be informed of the decision by the CARES in writing.
  
  
  • Certificates are valid for one year and are renewed annually subject to satisfactory audits and meeting the requirements of the relevant CARES Scheme.
  • A firm’s scope of approval may be extended or reduced at any time following formal notification to CARES and subject to some or all of the stages outlined above. Firms are notified of the process for extending or reducing the scope upon request.
  • Certificates may be withdrawn or suspended if the approved firm fails to meet the requirements of the relevant CARES scheme. The final decision will be taken by the CARES CEO and the approved firm notified in writing. A right to appeal against such decisions is available to the applicant or approved firm.
  • Detailed information regarding the certification and appeals process and other CARES regulations is contained in the relevant CARES scheme manual. The relevant scheme manual is sent to all new applicants. Approved firms receive all scheme updates automatically from the CARES office.

  
  3. Reinforcing Steel Supply Chain

  3.1. Identification and traceability system

  All CARES certified material is labelled and supplied with the necessary electronic or paper documentation to enable the products to be traced. Additionally, all CARES certified reinforcement can by identified by the CARES bar mark rolled into the bar. The system comprises the CARES mark and a series of dots rolled into the bar, as shown on the CARES website.  

  3.2. CARES Cloud app

  CARES is making vital product information available via its CARES Cloud App. This means that all smartphone users can confirm where the product has come from; its validity and its assurance credentials in the form of CARES’ sector-leading independent certification.

  The CARES Cloud App is freely available on the Apple Store for iOS and Google Play for Android devices. Go to:

  Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/cares-cloud/id1474099842

  Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.carescloud&hl=en