Key points
- ECAS is mandatory for regulated products, whether imported or made in the UAE; EQM is a separate, voluntary quality mark.
- The applicant is a UAE licensed trader, importer or manufacturer, usually supported by a notified body.
- MOIAT lists fees of AED 600, AED 620 and AED 500 for registration, technical review and issue.
- MOIAT's own review takes about 1.5 working days once documents are complete; testing in China is usually the longest step.
- Certificates are renewed every year, according to MOIAT notified bodies.
What ECAS is, in plain words
ECAS stands for the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme. It is run by MOIAT, the federal ministry that took over standards and conformity from the former ESMA. For any product covered by a UAE technical regulation, the trader must hold a certificate of conformity that shows the product was tested against the approved standard. ECAS applies equally to imported goods and goods made in the UAE. The Emirates Quality Mark (EQM) is a different, voluntary scheme that shows a product meets UAE national standards and is backed by a quality management system.
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Which products need an ECAS certificate
The list grows as MOIAT issues new technical regulations, so always check your exact product. The categories below come from MOIAT notified bodies and cover most goods importers bring from China.
| Category | Examples of regulated products | Common China sourcing hubs |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and electronic | Low-voltage appliances, chargers, power banks, lighting, cables, audio-visual and IT equipment, laser products, hoverboards, energy-efficiency labelled appliances, RoHS | Shenzhen, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Ningbo |
| Mechanical and automotive | Tyres including retreaded, vehicle spare parts, child car seats, PPE, elevators, water fixtures, automatic doors | Guangzhou, Shandong, Zhejiang |
| Chemical and consumer | Cosmetics, perfumes, detergents, paints and varnishes, textiles, childcare articles, food contact materials, oxo-biodegradable plastics | Guangzhou, Yiwu, Shantou |
| Metrology and medical-related | Measuring devices, industrial measurement systems and some medical equipment | Shenzhen, Jiangsu |
| Food and drinks | Energy drinks, bottled water, juices, honey, dairy, organic food; sweetened drinks need a conformity certificate to avoid the top sugar-tax band | Various |
Who applies: the UAE importer, the factory and the notified body
- Applies on the MOIAT platform with a valid UAE trade or industrial licence.
- Must hold a valid certificate for each regulated product it places on the market.
- Signs the online declaration of conformity and is answerable if the product fails later.
- Usually appoints a notified body to manage the file.
- Provides test reports, drawings, component lists, materials and factory address.
- Supplies labels and manuals in Arabic and English, or approves the importer's versions.
- Must tell the importer about any change to the product, because changes need approval.
- Can also apply through a notified body, but the UAE trader still needs a valid certificate for its goods.
- The accredited lab tests samples against the UAE standard.
- The notified body checks the file, may inspect the factory, and submits to MOIAT.
- It can suspend or withdraw the certificate if the product stops conforming.
- Its own fees and testing costs come on top of MOIAT fees.
The conformity process step by step
- Confirm the product is regulatedMatch the product and HS code to the MOIAT technical regulation and note the standards it lists.
- Pick a notified bodyChoose a MOIAT-designated body and agree the scope and quote.
- Test in an accredited labSend samples from the same production run. Existing reports, such as CB reports, may be accepted if they match the standard.
- Prepare the technical fileTest reports, component list, drawings, photos, labels and manuals in Arabic and English, factory address.
- Register and apply on the MOIAT platformUpload the licence, test report and the online declaration of conformity, then pay the MOIAT fees.
- Review and certificateMOIAT reviews the file; its listed service time is 1.5 working days once complete. A factory audit may be added for some schemes.
- Label and shipApply the approved mark or label, attach the certificate to the shipment documents and book the cargo.
- Renew every yearNotified bodies report a one-year validity for ECAS; plan renewal before expiry and before any product change.
Your ECAS file checklist
0/9Timeline: plan it before you book the container
MOIAT's own part is short. The time goes into testing and preparing documents, and it depends on the product, the lab's queue and how complete the factory's files are. A simple product with an existing test report can move quickly; a new product that needs full testing takes longer. Build the steps below into your purchase schedule.
- Before the deposit: confirm whether the product is regulated and which standard applies.
- During production: collect samples and start testing, so results are ready when the goods are.
- Before loading: have the certificate issued, or at least the application in review, and the Arabic labels on the cartons.
- On arrival: the certificate goes with the customs documents. As of November 2026 most containers for Dubai arrive via Khor Fakkan and are trucked to Jebel Ali under seal, so a missing certificate delays release at the final clearance point.
- Every year: renew, and re-certify after any change of model, components or factory.
Penalties and what happens at the port
At the border, a regulated product without a valid certificate can be held, sent for inspection or refused, and demurrage and storage keep running while you fix it. Goods already on the market can be withdrawn or recalled. Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2020 on Specifications and Standards sets criminal penalties: violating technical regulations, or selling a product as conforming when it does not, carries imprisonment and/or a fine of at least AED 30,000 with confiscation of the goods; using a mark without a MOIAT licence carries at least one year of imprisonment and/or a fine of at least AED 30,000; repeat offences can double the penalty. This is a summary, and the Arabic legal text prevails.
Does your shipment need ECAS?
How we handle ECAS goods from China
Our Guangzhou team checks the invoice and packing list before shipping, photographs the cartons and labels at consolidation, and can collect test reports and label files from your supplier. Our Dubai team clears the goods with the certificate attached and tells you before loading if a model looks regulated but has no certificate. We do not issue ECAS certificates ourselves; certification is done by MOIAT and its notified bodies.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ECAS certificate in the UAE?
It is the mandatory certificate of conformity issued under MOIAT's Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme for regulated products, confirming they meet UAE technical regulations.
How much does an ECAS certificate cost?
MOIAT lists AED 600 for product registration, AED 620 for technical review per certificate and AED 500 for issue. Lab testing and notified body fees are extra and vary by product.
How long does it take to get ECAS?
MOIAT's review is listed at 1.5 working days once the file is complete. Testing and document preparation usually take longer, so start during production.
How long is an ECAS certificate valid?
MOIAT notified bodies report a validity of one year with annual renewal. Any change to the product needs approval before you ship the new version.
Who can apply for ECAS?
A UAE licensed trader, importer or manufacturer applies on the MOIAT platform, usually through a notified body. The Chinese factory supplies test reports and technical documents.
What is the difference between ECAS and EQM?
ECAS is mandatory for regulated products. EQM, the Emirates Quality Mark, is voluntary and shows conformity to UAE standards backed by a quality management system.
What happens if my goods arrive without ECAS?
Customs can hold or refuse the shipment, and port charges keep running. Selling non-conforming regulated products can bring fines of at least AED 30,000 and confiscation.
Sources
- MOIAT – Issue Conformity Certificates for Regulated Products (ECAS): steps, documents, fees, service time
- SGS (MOIAT notified body) – Navigating UAE product conformity: ECAS and EQM certification (2024)
- UL Middle East (MOIAT notified body) – ECAS/EQM certification service terms
- Legal Wires – Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2020 concerning Specifications and Standards (penalty provisions)
- ATB Legal – UAE product registration and conformity
- UAE Federal Tax Authority – conformity certificates for sweetened drinks
General information checked on the date shown. Rules and rates change: our team confirms the details for your shipment.