UAE CARES launches steel import spot checks to strengthen safety supervision of building materials

The UAE's conformity assessment agency CARES (the designated body responsible for issuing ECAS and EQM certifications) announced A645 Grade B steel on April 9th that it has launched spot checks on major construction steel products entering the UAE to strengthen supervision of the safety of imported products. This spot check is part of the new stage of quality and safety supervision system promoted by the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), which will be officially implemented from November 27, 2024.

CARES stated in a statement that "with further tightening of compliance requirements, all market participants A645 Grade B steel must comply with unified industry standards." Starting today, heavy rolling manufacturers operating within the UAE must verify whether the billet supplier has valid ECAS certification before procurement. This certification has become a mandatory prerequisite before procurement, aimed at ensuring that raw materials meet strict national quality standards and improving building safety from the source.

It is worth noting that CARES recently announced that a key element in the certification process - the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) - must be analyzed by a third-party independent organization. However, the designated analysis agency Sphera, headquartered in Chicago, USA, is currently unable to provide services to Iranian related companies due to United Nations sanctions on Iranian manufacturers.

Currently, the rebar and billet A645 Grade B steel market in the United Arab Emirates is performing poorly, mainly due to the escalating tensions between China and the United States. The market generally expects prices to continue to decline, and buyers are inclined to wait and see.