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UAE standards for cosmetics and fragrances in 2013

DUBAI — The UAE will introduce its standard regulations for locally produced and imported cosmetics and fragrances at the beginning of 2013, Eng Mohamed Saleh Badri, acting director-general of the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology, or ESMA, told Khaleej Times on Monday.

“We will start work on this project in January 2012 by setting up a national committee involving all stakeholders, we will involve the industry in the process to protect them, and also coordinate with The Fragrance Foundation Arabia,” he said on the sidelines of the two-day Middle East Fragrance Summit which began in Dubai on Monday.

Badri said that the entire process, including cabinet approval, would be completed by the end of 2012 and standards and regulations for cosmetics and fragrances would be implemented in 2013.

“During this one year, we want to give the industry time to understand the standards and regulations because the ultimate responsibility for their implementation would be that of the manufacturers. We must also have the capability for their verification.” Badri said.

“If the industry have any problems ESMA will take care of them.”

He said that ESMA will develop standards and regulations that are workable for the UAE. The committee will set benchmark and also look into world standards. “We want to create a transparent and self controlling industry here in the UAE for cosmetics and fragrances. Laws and regulations we put are transparent,” Badri said.

Earlier, in a presentation on Role of ESMA in regulating the cosmetics and fragrances in the UAE, Badri said that ESMA was supporting national economy by assisting national industry to enter international competition, and providing safety and protection to the consumer, economy, and environment by ensuring that services and products (both locally manufactured or imported) are in conformity with the UAE standards. He said that UAE standards are prepared through National Committees involving all stakeholders, priority is given to international standards (harmonisation) and WTO is informed for other countries to comment if is used for Technical Regulation (TBT agreement).

The first ever Middle East Fragrance Summit (MEFS) witnessed enthusiastic participation from the fragrance industry worldwide, as leading international and regional players engaged in frank discussions on ‘Bridging Oriental and international fragrance innovation.’

The panel discussion which was the highlight of the first day of the conference, focused on the distinct divide between international brands and regionally produced perfumes with an oriental touch. The debate aimed to bridge the gap faced by regional perfumers in marketing their products in developed markets by elaborating on the manufacturing processes of oriental perfumes and emphasising the need to create products in line with international standards. The discussion also explored mutual opportunities for international and regional brands to expand their markets.

More than hundred delegates attended the inaugural summit, which began at The Ritz Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, and is organised by The Fragrance Foundation Arabia, the Middle East wing of The Fragrance Foundation, the international not-for-profit industry body. Mary Ellen Lapsansky, Vice President, The Fragrance Foundation, USA inaugurated the summit at a glittering ceremony in the presence of leading industry players from the region and beyond.

“There is a deep sense of history associated with the Middle East Fragrance Summit, as it is being held at a time when the world is witnessing a major shift towards the East,” said Mary, highlighting the significance of the Middle East region to the global perfume industry. “The MEFS has proved to be a strong catalyst to initiate and facilitate dialogue on crucial issues facing the fragrance industry,” said Shahzad Haider, Chairman, The Fragrance Foundation Arabia, UAE.

“The Challenging Strategic Innovation in Global Fragrance Market in Western Europe and the Middle East,” was discussed by NVD Consultants president Dr Nicolas V. Danila, while GaiaOne CEO Nicholas Graham presented an insight into the minds of consumers, explaining why consumers demand greater transparency and clarity. Other international speakers included International Flavors & Fragrances’ Pierre Wargnye and Sheherazade Foroughi-Chamlou, vice-president for sales and marketing perfumery of SGD North America.

The regional fragrance industry was represented on the speaker panel by The Fragrance Foundation Arabia chariman Shahzad Haider, Ajmal Perfumes general manager and vice-president of Fragrance Foundation Arabia Abdulla Ajmal, and Swiss Arabian Perfumes chairman Hussein Adam Ali.

· business@khaleejtimes.com