Everything you Need to Know about Getting ESMA Quality Mark for Dairy Products
The manufacturing and distribution of milk and other dairy products are governed by stringent quality control processes in the UAE. To ensure that the health and safety of the consumers, the milk and dairy products must undergo a conformity assessment test conducts by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA). If the products clear the conformity assessment test, ESMA will grant an Emirates Quality Mark (EQM). The process of obtaining an EQM certification involves a series of steps for which the businesses can enlist the assistance of the top product registration agents in the UAE.
Some of the key steps and requirements are included in the article. Read ahead.
What’s an Emirates Quality Mark?
ESMA grants the EQM mark to the products that can successfully demonstrate compliance with the relevant UAE National Standards, Regional and/or International Standards. The certificate of conformity mark is given to products that are manufactured by an entity that implements an effective Quality Management System to ensure continuous compliance. The products will be subjected to a comprehensive evaluation of the product as well as the quality system used by the manufacturer to make the product. This evaluation is performed testing, inspection and the products that clear the evaluation will be granted the license to use the EQM.
Types of Products Covered under the Scheme
The applicants need to understand the types of products that fall within the scope of ESMA product certification in the UAE before commencing the process. The following are the major categories of dairy products covered under the scheme.
- Raw milk
- Flavoured yoghurt
- Flavoured milk
- Yoghurt
- Pasteurized Camel Milk
- Goat Milk
- Laban Drink
- Trans Fatty Acids
- Laban
- Flavoured Laban
- Milk and milk products
- Dairy and dairy products
Types of Dairy Products Excluded from the Scheme
Not all products are entitled to EQM certification in the UAE. Applicants can consult with the product registration agents in the UAE to get hold of the entire list of products that are excluded from the scheme. Some of the products are given below:
- Medical and special products
- Baby milk
- Complimentary food
- Infant-specific components
- Components intended for use as raw materials
Furthermore, meals of popular restaurants such as Iranian milk, which are subject to the supervision of the related authorities are excluded from the regulation. Consult with the best product certification consultants in the UAE to more about the scope of the regulation.
Requirements for ESMA Product Certification
The process of certifying a dairy product in the UAE requires the applicants to submit a wide range of documents and relevant information. The following is a list of documents mandated by ESMA for registering dairy products in the UAE:
- Valid UAE Industry/Trade License
- Registration certificate for Industrial Measurement System
- Obtain test report from an accredited laboratory
- mentioned under Annex of Cabinet Resolution
- Valid QMS international certificate Accepted by ESMA
- Food contact material conformity certificate
- Special certificate if the product will be declared as ’Organic’ on label
- Halal national mark License if the product is declared as halal product label
- The product must be transported and stored the product as per the technical requirements in the standard
- Fulfil with the requirements of the card Label according to the technical requirements in the standard
- Distributor ownership (for Traders only)
- Electronic Declaration of Conformity
- Official Fees
The procedure of Obtaining EQM Certification from ESMA
The process of obtaining an EQM certification involves a series of steps that should be carefully executed. Consulting with product registration agents in the UAE is recommended before initiating the process. The following are the major steps:
- Apply for registration ( product registration agents will handle this)
- Apply for EQM mark
- Submit the required documents
- Pay the fees
- Review of documents
- Factory assessment
- Issuance of EQM certificate
How does ESMA Conduct Application Evaluation?
A conformity officer will perform the conformity assessment of the product. Additional supportive documents need to be submitted if the evaluation is pending due to missing or invalid documents. The process of evaluation includes Product Safety Verification through test reports provided on all safety test parameters requested by applicable scheme/standards. If test reports are not complying with standards, the Conformity Officer will request rectification of the non-complying aspects. The evaluation will be repeated after the applicant submits the requested documents again.
How can Jitendra Intellectual Property Help?
Manufacturers and traders of milk and dairy products can apply for an EQM certificate issued by the ESMA. The EQM mark demonstrates that the product complies with the UAE National standards and other local or international quality standards. Getting an EQM mark in the UAE enhances the public’s trust in the product. The process of ESMA product registration may appear to be complex if the applicants try to do it without any assistance. However, the process can be cleared fast if they apply through the product registration agents in the UAE such as Jitendra Intellectual Property (JIP). JIP can help companies with documentation, application filing and relevant tests for faster clearance.