DOHA: Qatar standards agency says it is committed to implementing the unified GCC standards and specifications in public interest as compromising on quality of products means threatening people’s lives and safety.
Citing an example of car tyres, the agency says most tyres coming into Qatar are meant for use in cold countries as they can resist heat up to 35 degrees Celsius in street tyre friction.
“In Qatar and other GCC countries street tyre friction can generate heat of up to an unbelievable 76 degrees.
“That’s more than double the heat in countries with cold weather,” said Dr Mohamed Saif Al Kuwari, Assistant Undersecretary for the Standards and Specifications Authority at the Ministry of Environment.
He told a local Arabic daily last week: “For us, maintaining the health and safety of nationals and expatriates is the priority”.
Most tyres coming into Qatar and other GCC states do not meet regional specifications. “So how do you want us to allow their imports?”
It is the use of such tyres that is causing so many deaths in road accidents here, he added.
Al Kuwari said it is not true that there is lack of communication on the unified GCC standards and specifications.
“We have been making announcements through the local media and at various forums.
“We also send messages and advice to businessmen about the requirements so they could seek quality certification before importing goods,” he added.
About car rims, Al Kuwari said most stocks coming here are from factories the Authority doesn’t know of and are of poor quality and don’t meet local specifications.
Many road accidents have taken place because of the use of low-quality rims in vehicles. One can refer to the Traffic Department and get data, he added.
About brake pads, Al Kuwari said it has been discovered by the Authority that some pads contain asbestos which can cause lung cancer.
There are no labs in Qatar to test samples of various materials, including auto spare parts, tyres and other products but plans are afoot to set up such facilities. That would take time, he said.
But many world-class labs, including one in Jeddah, another in Switzerland, and one in Germany have offices in Doha.
Importers can provide them with samples with the required fee and they would get results sitting here.
There is no need for anyone to travel overseas for testing, said Al Kuwari.
By February next year, electrical appliances like heaters, refrigerators, ovens, toasters, wares and microwaves will be brought within the purview of the unified GCC standards. Many fire incidents take place due to the low- quality of these appliances, Al Kuwari said.
As for air-conditioners, the unified quality norms are being prepared and expected sooner rather than later, he added.
The Peninsula
