DUBAI: Leading e-commerce retailers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a “Compliance Pledge” to ensure the quality and safety of products sold online.
The initiative is supported by the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and applies to products sold on platforms such as Amazon, noon, Lulu, Sharaf DG and Jacky’s, as well as platforms operated by the Al-Futtaim Group (which includes Ikea and Ace Hardware).
The compliance pledge will align these e-commerce platforms with the UAE’s “rigorous standards and technical regulations,” thus “enhancing consumer trust and ensuring a safer shopping experience.”
“This pledge marks an important step towards achieving the goals of the National Industrial and Advanced Technology Strategy,” said Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. “We call on all strategic partners to join us in our efforts to continuously improve the quality and safety of our products.”
The ministry is “encouraging” traditional retailers and e-commerce platforms to comply with all laws, specifications and technical regulations. This process includes facilitating voluntary product recalls and informing consumers about recalled products through the “Manaa” system and the National Product Compliance Programme.
More retailers join online initiatives
“The ministry is committed to fostering a regulatory environment that promotes international best practices in product marketing and invites all e-commerce platforms to join this voluntary initiative,” Al Suwaidi said.