Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ABUDHABI4494
2003-10-06 12:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

UAEG CLARIFIES GCC CONFORMITY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Tags:  ECON ETRD WTRO GCC USTR TC 
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Diana T Fritz 03/20/2007 05:12:54 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results

Cable 
Text: 
 
 
UNCLASSIFIED

SIPDIS
TELEGRAM October 06, 2003


To: No Action Addressee 

Action: Unknown 

From: AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI (ABU DHABI 4494 - ROUTINE) 

TAGS: ECON, ETRD 

Captions: None 

Subject: UAEG CLARIFIES GCC CONFORMITY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR
 COUNTRIES EXPORTING TO GCC MEMBER COUNTRIES 

Ref: None 
_________________________________________________________________
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 04494

SIPDIS
CXABU:
 ACTION: ECON 
 INFO: POL DCM P/M AMB 
Laser1:
 INFO: FCS 

DISSEMINATION: ECON
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: AMB: MWAHBA
DRAFTED: ECON:CMCRUMPLER
CLEARED: ECON: OJOHN, ECON: GRANA

VZCZCADI378
RR RUEHC RUEHGV RUEHZM
DE RUEHAD #4494/01 2791226
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061226Z OCT 03
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1979
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0533
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 004494 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PPR
STATE PASS USTR - JBUNTIN
GENEVA PASS USTR

E.O. 12958: DECL 10/06/08
TAGS: ECON ETRD WTRO GCC USTR TC
SUBJECT: UAEG CLARIFIES GCC CONFORMITY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
FOR COUNTRIES EXPORTING TO GCC MEMBER COUNTRIES

REF: A) STATE 243476 B) ABU DHABI 3115

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 004494

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PPR
STATE PASS USTR - JBUNTIN
GENEVA PASS USTR

E.O. 12958: DECL 10/06/08
TAGS: ECON ETRD WTRO GCC USTR TC
SUBJECT: UAEG CLARIFIES GCC CONFORMITY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
FOR COUNTRIES EXPORTING TO GCC MEMBER COUNTRIES

REF: A) STATE 243476 B) ABU DHABI 3115


1. (U) This is an action request; please see paragraph 4.


2. (SBU) The Ambassador expressed USG interest in
developing a constructive dialogue on the specificities of
the "GCC Conformity and Certification Scheme for Countries
Exporting to GCC Member Countries" and forwarded ref A
points in a signed letter to UAE Minister of State for
Finance and Industry Mohamed Khalfan bin Khirbash on
September 9.


3. (SBU) Econoff subsequently contacted Emirates Authority
for Standardization and Metrology Deputy Director Dr. Rashid
bin Fahad, who was designated by Dr. Khirbash to craft the
UAEG response. Dr. Rashid said that the GCC Certification
Program was completely compliant with the UAE's WTO
obligations and consequently forwarded the UAE response to
ref A questions on September 30. An unofficial, edited
translation of the letter follows:

Begin text of letter.

H.E. Marcelle Wahba
Ambassador of the United States of America, Abu Dhabi

Subject: Gulf Conformity Certificate Program for Exporting
Countries to the GCC Countries

We thank you for your cooperation toward our common goals.

With reference to your letter dated September 9, 2003,
regarding the "Gulf Conformity Certificate Program for
Exporting Countries to the GCC," we would like to inform you
that in an effort to secure the public health and safety of
citizens and residents of GCC countries, and in order to
protect the environment, the GCC agreed to implement certain
measures (that do not contradict WTO agreements) that
require imported and local products to comply with GCC
safety standards outlined by the GCC Customs Union.

In its capacity as the legal standards authority in the UAE
and in coordination with other national standards
authorities throughout the GCC, the Emirates Authority for
Standardization and Metrology will implement two GCC
conformity programs (one each for imported and local

products) under the supervision of the GCC Standards and
Metrology Authority.

The International Conformity Certification Program (ICCP)
for imported products (which is still under discussion by
the GCC member countries) is based on internationally
recognized procedures and methods. The ICCP was developed
using the guidelines of the International Standardization
Organization (ISO),and uses internationally accepted
procedures for inspection and examination consistent with
relevant WTO agreements. These guidelines ensure that the
ICCP will be transparent, with clear and simple procedures
based on modern technological and electronic methods to
facilitate customs inspection procedures at the ports of
entry and promote free trade among GCC countries without any
technical barriers.

In order to ensure non-discrimination, the GCC countries
currently are discussing a proposal to implement an ICCP for
local products, whereby products produced in the GCC must
conform to certain obligatory specifications and undergo
similar procedures to those cited in the ICCP for imported
products. This secondary ICCP for local products is
necessary to guarantee the free trade of local products
throughout the GCC and eliminate the need for inspection and
examination procedures at customs check points in GCC
countries.

It is worth mentioning here that an experienced
international firm accredited (approved) and contracted by
the Gulf Standards and Metrology Authority would execute the
two ICCPs -- especially the one for imported products. This
will ultimately unify all customs procedures among GCC
countries, and bring all customs inspections and
certifications (literally, certification-granting) up to
internationally accepted standards.

The UAE and GCC countries' markets are open and receive
products of varying qualities (standards),safety measures,
and manufacturing technologies. Considering the potential
effect of varying product standards on public health and the
environment, as well as the effect on the industrial and
trade sectors, the implementation of the two ICCPs will
ensure a high level of safety standards for consumers and
simplify the fulfillment of technical specifications for
manufacturing companies.

The Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology,
through coordination and in consultation with other UAE
government offices concerned with trade and industrial
affairs, is aware of the UAE's obligation under WTO to
ensure the non-discrimination of foreign products entering
the UAE, and transparency for exported and local goods. The
Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology also is
responsible for ensuring the safety of these products for
local consumers.

We believe that the implementation of the two ICCPs -- and
increasing consumer product safety -- will boost the UAE's
position as a regional and international trade hub. The
fees charged under the ICCPs are not only reasonable, but
also are less than those applied internationally. The ICCPs
will not present any significant impediment to the
importation of affected products or increase the price paid
by consumers for these products -- consumers who also rely
on their government to ensure that imported and local
products meet minimum safety specifications.

ICCPs have been successfully implemented in many countries
in the region, including WTO members Kuwait, Jordan, and
others.

Should the UAE implement the ICCPs, the UAE as a member of
the WTO would inform the WTO Secretariat of its intent.
There would be a transition period prior to the full
implementation of the ICCPs providing manufacturers and
importers an opportunity to get acquainted with the new
requirements and procedures and adjust their situations
accordingly.

The proposed ICCPs were developed with noble intentions, and
designed simply to better protect consumers and the
environment in the GCC. We also aim to increase
transparency in trading and commercial deals, and do not in
any way intend to create obstacles for foreign exporters or
impede free trade.

Based on our belief that cooperation and dialogue with other
countries enhances our trade relationships with those
countries, the UAE stands ready to discuss with you the ICCP
procedures to be implemented. We also believe we can
benefit from your distinguished experience in this regard,
and work toward a common objective that benefits both of our
countries.

Thanking you for your cooperation.

Best regards,

Dr. Mohamed Khalfan Bin Khirbash
Minister of State for Finance and Industry

End text.


4. (SBU) Action request: Dr. Rashid expressed the UAEG's
keen interest in meeting with U.S. experts on the margins of
the informal meetings of the TBT Committee October 23-24 or
the formal meeting of the Committee on November 7. Post
requests that USTR please advise on the modalities of
setting up such a meeting. End action request.

Wahba