The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has proposed a RoHS regulation similar to the EU RoHS Directive but with UAE specific certification requirements. The proposed regulation covers the same scope of products as listed in the EU RoHS Directive (Annex I of the proposal) and essentially copies the substance restrictions, exemptions, and definitions. The intention to align with EU RoHS is good news for manufacturers and importers. However, there are a few anomolies in the alignment such as the transition date for the phthalate substance restrictions.  It’s unclear at this time as to whether the anomolies are intentional or unintentional.

Article 5 (Conformity Assessment) in the proposed regulation leverages the methodology provided in the EU RoHS Directive. However, the specifics will still need some additional work given that the UAE doesn’t have all of the necessary background regulations in place.

Article (5)

Conformity Assessment

5.1 Product(s) shall comply with Model A of conformity assessment.

5.2 All products covered by this scheme shall comply with the technical requirements mentioned in clauses 4.1 and 4.2 of this scheme.

5.3 The Manufacturer shall draw up a written Declaration of Conformity for each electrical equipment Model .The Manufacturer Declaration of Conformity shall identify the substances maximum concentration values in annex 2

5.4 The Manufacturer shall submit at least the following technical documents:
A general description of electrical equipment;
A detailed description with conceptual design and manufacturing drawings, including a list of components, materials, sub-assemblies and circuits used in the electrical equipment;
A list of the UAE Standards applied to meet the requirements of the Technical Regulations
Test reports

For technical documentation, the proposed regulation references IEC 50581: 2012; however, this is an EU standard (EN 50581) and not an IEC standard as suggested in the proposal. The IEC is currently working on an International version of EN 50581; it will be numbered IEC 63000 and not 50581.

A section on “Surveillance and Market Monitoring: specifies provisions for enforcement and what may be done in the event of a non-confromity.

Contact ECD Compliance, for additional information on the proposed regulation and services to assess your environmental product compliance requirements, keep you up to date on the impact to your products and markets and to implement compliance procedures.