It was signed today, at the United Arab Emirates Pavilion at Expo in Milan, the Memorandum of Understanding between Accredia, the single Italian accreditation body, and ESMA, the Authority of the United Arab Emirates, for the accreditation of the bodies that will certify the made in Italy products compliant with Islamic rules (Halal systems) with the recognition of the UAE authorities.
Several sectors are involved, from agri-food to the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, financial and insurance sectors.
The Memorandum of Understanding will make it possible to reduce technical barriers to trade and facilitate exchanges between Italy and the United Arab Emirates, with the aim of developing cooperation in the certification sector, in particular of Halal products, in compliance with the rules applicable in the two countries, in line with the provisions of the WTO and the international network of EA and IAF accreditation bodies.
Product certifications in compliance with the UAE.S. 2055-2, issued by bodies accredited by Accredia, will allow the Italian products to be more easily exported to the United Arab Emirates and, in general, in the markets of countries where there is a strong presence of Muslim consumers.
ESMA undertakes to train Accredia personnel and to verify over time that the Italian body complies with the criteria established for bodies operating in this sector.
The agreement will have a duration of five years and will be automatically renewed for another five if neither of the two parties demonstrates the intention to withdraw.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is part of the bilateral meetings between the Italian government and that of the United Arab Emirates that are taking place these days in Milan.
In 2014, trade between the two countries amounted to 5,9 billion euros, with a value of exports of 5,3 billion euros and imports of 628 million; recording a clearly favorable trade balance for Italy, with a positive balance of 4,7 billion euros.
“The signed agreement will allow our companies to increase their exports, with the possibility of better reaching such an important market as that of the United Arab Emirates – commented Giuseppe Rossi, President of Accredia. Furthermore, this collaboration is further confirmation of the increasingly intense and qualified international activity of Accredia, which at the end of October will host the Assemblies of the accreditation bodies adhering to the IAF and ILAC world networks in Milan, with more than 300 delegates representing about 40 countries”
