In line with the UAE's efforts to solidify its position as a globally leading system to ensure the quality of products and services, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology is implementing a strategic program to update the list of mandatory scopes for national accreditation. This update aligns with the latest legislation and technical regulations, while strengthening the country's readiness to support industrial supply chains and enhance the reliability of conformity assessment activities.

The list of mandatory scopes was first issued in 2016 to activate Cabinet Decision No. 35 of 2015 concerning the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme. Under this system, conformity assessment bodies are required to obtain national accreditation in accordance with international standards and the requirements of the National Accreditation bodies.

This is a fundamental condition for providing conformity assessment services in priority areas related to health, safety, and the environment. These services are delivered by testing and calibration laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies.

The Ministry, in cooperation with partners and relevant stakeholders, conducted a comprehensive review of the mandatory scopes list to evaluate its alignment with updated national legislation, new technical regulations and standards, regulatory requirements, and the needs of vital industrial sectors. New priority national fields were added to upgrade the readiness of the accreditation system and the conformity assessment sector. This ensures they keep pace with technological and industrial developments and better support supply chains in strategic sectors.

The review led to the addition of several key new fields, including verification and validation bodies, as well as providers of reference materials. The scope of mandatory testing was also expanded with the inclusion of "20 new activities", such as hydrogen vehicle testing, updated food testing, and radiation testing. Additionally, "8 new fields" were added within the scope of calibration laboratories, including calibration of vehicle speed measurement devices (radar) and medical devices, among others.

This update of the mandatory accreditation scopes aims to strengthen the practical impact of efforts to verify the efficiency of conformity assessment activities across the country. It also enables the industrial sector to access nationally accredited services that meet the highest international best practices and relevant technical regulations and legislation.

Furthermore, this initiative reflects integration with the "Make it in the Emirates" initiative and supports the country's direction toward sustainable industrial growth, removing barriers to trade, enhancing the competitiveness of Emirati products in global markets, and reinforcing the UAE's leadership in quality infrastructure.

It further strengthens the country's position as a global destination for industry and advanced technology.