Legislation Details
- Full Title: Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement
- Law Type: Cabinet Resolution
- Law Number: No. (121) of 2023
- Issued Date: 27 Nov 2023
- Effective Date: 16 Dec 2023
- Official Gazette: No. 765
- Sector: Industry and Technical Standardisation
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 27
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Cabinet Resolution regulates the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement. It establishes quality requirements and a conformity assessment scheme for carbon steel products used for concrete reinforcement, including both imported and locally manufactured goods. The Resolution aims to ensure the safety and reliability of steel reinforcement materials used in construction projects across the UAE. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 1-2) The Resolution is significant for businesses involved in the production, import, distribution, and use of steel reinforcement products in the UAE. It introduces mandatory conformity certification, testing, and labeling requirements that must be met before steel bars can be sold in the local market. This helps to raise quality standards, protect consumers, and support the UAE's construction industry. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 3-7)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The scope of this Cabinet Resolution is to define the quality requirements for manufacturing carbon steel for concrete reinforcement, as well as the requirements for producing billets that need further processing to produce carbon steel bars and/or coiled rods for concrete reinforcement. It applies to all carbon steel products for concrete reinforcement that are imported or manufactured in the UAE, including in free zones. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 2) The purpose of the Resolution is to establish a comprehensive scheme to ensure the quality, safety, and reliability of steel reinforcement materials used in construction projects across the UAE. It introduces mandatory conformity assessment, testing, and labeling requirements to raise standards and protect consumers. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 1-2)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The Resolution provides the following key definitions:
- State: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Ministry: Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology
- Minister: Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology
- Competent Authorities: Federal and local government authorities responsible for implementing the Resolution
- Scheme: The UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement
- Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS): A scheme issued by the Ministry to confirm product conformity
- Conformity Certificate/Certificate: A certificate issued by the Ministry confirming product conformity
- Applicant: Manufacturer, importer, agent, store, or distributor responsible for the product
- Product: Carbon steel bars for concrete reinforcement
- Approved Standard Specifications: UAE Standard Specifications (UAE.S) approved by the Ministry
- Batch: Samples characterizing raw materials and finished products
- Concerned Entity: Entity approved by the Ministry to carry out conformity assessment
(Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The key obligations and requirements under this Resolution include: 1. Applicants must obtain a Conformity Certificate from the Ministry before launching the product in the UAE market. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 3(1)) 2. Applicants must ensure the product conforms to the technical requirements specified in the approved standard specifications. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 3(2)) 3. Manufacturers must hold an ISO 9001 quality management system certificate and fulfill the requirements in Annex 1. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 4(1)) 4. Products must undergo the tests specified in Annex 2 and meet the relevant standard specification requirements. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 4(2)) 5. Manufacturers must demonstrate compliance with the ISO 14001 environmental management system and provide an Environmental Product Declaration. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 5)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
To obtain the mandatory UAE Conformity Certificate (ECAS), applicants must: 1. Meet the requirements of Form (H) in the UAE Conformity Assessment System (ECAS). (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 6(1)) 2. Apply electronically through the Ministry's website, uploading all required documents. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 6(2-3)) 3. Be granted the conformity certificate, which allows them to use the ECAS mark on their products. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 6(4)) The Ministry or a concerned entity may conduct annual audits to ensure continued product conformity. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 6(5-6))
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The Resolution does not explicitly outline any specific rights or protections granted to individuals or businesses. It is focused on establishing quality, testing, and conformity assessment requirements for steel reinforcement products.
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities and bodies responsible for enforcement under this Resolution include: 1. The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, which is responsible for issuing the UAE Conformity Certificate (ECAS), approving standard specifications, and conducting audits. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 6, 8) 2. The Competent Authorities, which are the federal and local government authorities responsible for implementing the provisions of the Resolution. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 1, 8) 3. The Concerned Entity, which is the entity approved by the Ministry to carry out conformity assessment procedures. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 1, 6)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The Resolution states that without prejudice to any other penalty or procedure stipulated by UAE legislation, the Ministry or Competent Authority may impose one or more of the following administrative penalties for violations: a. Cancelling the commercial license of the violating supplier, in coordination with the Licensing Authority. b. Cancelling the Conformity Certificate granted to the violating product. c. Charging the violator with the expenses and costs of removing and addressing the damages resulting from the violation if they do not remove or address it. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 9(1)) If the responsible party for the product's non-conformity cannot be identified, the person whose violation was caught shall be held responsible unless proven otherwise. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 9(2))
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The Resolution does not specify any fees, charges, or other financial provisions related to the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement.
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The Resolution does not outline any exemptions or exceptions to its scope or requirements.
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The Resolution provides a grievance procedure for appealing resolutions issued under Article 9 (Violations and Penalties): 1. The grievance must be submitted to the Minister, the competent authority head, or their delegate within 14 working days of notification of the resolution. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 10(1)) 2. The necessary documents explaining the grievance reason must be attached. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 10(2)) 3. The Minister, competent authority head, or their delegate must issue a decision on the grievance within 25 working days. This decision shall be final. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 10(3))
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The Resolution specifies the following key deadlines and time limits: 1. Steel establishments and factories must adjust their status within 365 days from the date the Resolution comes into force. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 11) 2. Applicants must submit grievances within 14 working days of notification of a resolution issued under Article 9. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 10(1)) 3. The Minister, competent authority head, or their delegate must issue a decision on a grievance within 25 working days. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 10(3))
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The Resolution references the following related UAE legislation: - The Constitution of the UAE - Federal Decree-Law No. (20) of 2020, Concerning Standards and Metrology (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Preamble) The Resolution states that any provision that violates or contradicts its provisions shall be repealed. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 12)
When did this law come into effect?
This Cabinet Resolution was issued on 27 November 2023 and came into effect on 16 December 2023, the day following its publication in the Official Gazette. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, 2023, Art. 13)
Source Documents
This article analyses Cabinet Resolution Concerning the UAE Scheme for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.