Page 633 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (Part 1)

4/21/25, 2:58 PM Ministry of Economy signs MoU with SGS Gulf Limited to enhance quality control over food and consumer products in the country
Ministry of Economy signs MoU with SGS Gulf Limited to

quality control over food and consumer products in the co

SGS, in coordination with the Ministry, will be responsible for examining consumer complaints and testing samples of food and cons
ensure their compliance with safety & quality standards

April 13, 2025

His Excellency Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy; and Mrs. Geraldine Picaud, SGS Gulf Limited Chief Executive Officer.
Image Courtesy: UAE Ministry of Economy

One of the key initiatives to strengthen consumer protection, the Ministry of Economy has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with SGS Gulf Limited to boost collaboration in overseeing the quality of food and consumer
products across the nation’s markets, ensuring they meet the highest safety standards. The agreement also focuses on
validating consumer complaints within the Ministry’s scope, promoting ethical business practices, and fostering a secure
shopping environment. The MoU was formalized by His Excellency Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the
Ministry of Economy, and Mrs. Geraldine Picaud, Chief Executive Officer of SGS Gulf Limited.

The signing was attended by His Excellency Arthur Mattli, Ambassador of Switzerland to the UAE; Mr. Teymur Abasov,
Head of Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa; Mr. Anand Nair, Head of C&P EEMEA and C&P and H&N Director ME
and Muriel Cressot, Business Development Manager, also attended the ceremony on behalf of SGS Gulf.

His Excellency Al Saleh affirmed that the Ministry is keen to continue strengthening cooperation with its partners across
the public and private sectors to sustainably support the flexibility and effectiveness of the country’s consumer protection
system, enhance oversight of products and commodities in the markets, and adopt initiatives that promote a sound
consumer culture. His Excellency pointed out that the partnership with SGS marks a new milestone in strengthening
regulatory frameworks aimed at providing a safe and high-quality consumer environment for consumers and ensuring the
application of the best standards in the commercial oversight of goods and products. It supports the competitiveness of the
UAE’s business and trade environment, enhancing the growth and competitiveness of the national economy.

Mrs. Geraldine Picaud, Chief Executive Officer said: “This MoU represents a vital step towards enhancing consumer
protection in the UAE. Consumer safety, satisfaction, and trust are at the company’s core business priorities, and we are
committed to adopting best practices and solutions in this regard.”

Under the terms of the MoU, the Ministry of Economy and SGS Gulf Limited will collaborate on a series of joint
awareness programs covering the food and beverage industry, cosmetics, and other consumer products. These initiatives
aim to uphold the quality of goods available in the local market and stimulate the growth of domestic trade across the
seven emirates. In addition, workshops will be held at universities, schools, and other educational institutions to foster
greater awareness about product safety and encourage healthier consumer behavior.

SGS will also, at the Ministry’s request, handle the verification and inspection of consumer complaints falling under the
Ministry’s scope of work. This includes random sampling and testing of a range of products from the local market,
particularly baby food, cosmetics, and spare parts—to ensure they meet safety and quality standards. These efforts will be
carried out using SGS’s advanced technologies and laboratories that operate in line with relevant global best practices.

The agreement paves the way for greater competitiveness of UAE-made products in international markets. Through close
collaboration, the Ministry of Economy and SGS Gulf Limited will provide comprehensive guidance and information to
streamline export procedures for goods and services, including easier access to required certifications. This will
significantly boost the global expansion efforts of local companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs), also helping them meet regulatory standards across diverse global markets.

SGS is the world’s leading testing, inspection, and certification company. With unmatched expertise in quality assurance,
safety, sustainability, and compliance with international standards, SGS supports clients across a wide range of industries.
The company operates a global network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories in more than 120 countries, delivering

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