Cabinet Resolution 20 / 2015 · MoIAT

ECAS Food Contact Materials Registration in Dubai & UAE

Plastic, glass, ceramic, paper and rPET packaging that touches food needs an ECAS conformity certificate before it enters the UAE market. We prepare the technical file and manage the MoIAT application end-to-end.

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ResolutionCabinet Res 20 / 2015

Test reportValid < 3 years

Per certificateMax 45 SKU (Category / COO / Brand)

rPETEFSA or FDA No-Objection Letter

What it covers

Food contact materials cover any packaging or article intended to come into contact with food — plastics, glass, ceramics, silicon, paper, metal and wood, as well as recycled-plastic (rPET) packaging. Each material is assessed against the relevant standard for migration and safety. The recycled-plastic pathway is the most demanding: it requires a No-Objection Letter for the recycling process plus migration and challenge-test evidence, which is exactly where most applications stall — and where we add the most value.

Documents you will need

The core dossier MoIAT expects for this category. We prepare and assemble all of it on your behalf.

Valid UAE trade / industrial licence

Accredited-lab test report per Annex 1 of the Resolution

Label compliance per Annex 2

List of components / raw materials (where required)

GMP compliance evidence

rPET only: EFSA or FDA No-Objection Letter, effective QMS, GMP, challenge-test pass, migration test on packaged water, and an rPET risk-assessment report

How the application works

Four stages from product to issued certificate. We run the first three; MoIAT and its Notified Body issue the certificate.

Assess & match

We confirm the category and resolution and map exactly which documents and tests apply to your product.

Prepare the file

We arrange accredited testing and compile the technical dossier, declarations and labels.

Submit & manage

We register and submit through the MoIAT portal and manage reviewer queries until the file clears.

Certificate issued

MoIAT / its Notified Body issues the certificate, ready for customs and distribution.

Which items are regulated, and which are not

Not every item entering a UAE kitchen, restaurant or hotel is a regulated food-contact material. Establishing the classification correctly at the outset avoids unnecessary testing, cost and delay. The positions below reflect how these categories are treated under the MoIAT ECAS scheme.

Ceramic crockery: regulated. Ceramic tableware falls within the regulated food-contact material category under ECAS and requires conformity certification.

Wooden crockery: food-contact, but less clearly codified. Wooden tableware is a food-contact item, however the UAE regulatory position on wooden food-contact materials is less clearly codified than for ceramics. Specifications should be reviewed case by case and the position confirmed with the authority.

Textiles and staff uniforms: not regulated. Apparel textiles are not a regulated category and do not require conformity certification. No registration workstream arises.

Decorative items: not regulated. Decorative pieces in stone, copper, wood or ceramic are not regulated, provided they are genuinely decorative and not intended for food service.

Stationery such as menu covers and coasters: not regulated. These are not food-contact items and do not fall within a regulated category.

Testing, timeline and the variable that decides both

For ceramic food-contact items the core requirement is heavy-metals migration testing, specifically lead and cadmium release, carried out by a laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025.

Certification: approximately 6 weeks. This covers product classification, testing requirement assessment, documentation, and technical evaluation by the MoIAT-notified conformity assessment body that issues the certificate.

Laboratory testing: approximately 3 weeks. This applies where fresh testing is required, and runs in addition to the certification timeline above.

Existing accredited test reports can remove the testing stage entirely. If the manufacturer already holds valid reports from an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory covering the relevant heavy-metals migration parameters, fresh laboratory testing can potentially be bypassed. This is the single biggest variable in both timeline and cost.

Plan certification against the arrival date, not after it. Certification cannot realistically be completed once goods have landed. Where timelines are tight, importers commonly consider bonded storage or a free zone on arrival, with clearance to the mainland deferred until certification is complete.

Frequently asked questions

Do recycled (rPET) food-contact materials need extra evidence?

Yes. On top of the standard requirements, rPET packaging needs an EFSA or FDA No-Objection Letter for the recycling process, plus an effective QMS, GMP, a challenge-test pass report, migration testing on packaged drinking water, and a risk-assessment report. We assemble this full evidence set so the application is not rejected.

What counts as a food contact material?

Any material or article intended to contact food or beverages — packaging films, bottles, containers, cutlery, jars, cans, and similar. If it touches the product, it generally falls under Cabinet Resolution 20 of 2015.

How many SKUs can one certificate cover?

Up to 45 SKUs per certificate, grouped by category, country of origin and brand. We structure the certificate around your range to keep it efficient.

Does TheCorpBridge issue the certificate?

No. The certificate is issued by MoIAT and its Notified Bodies. We are the application consultant — we match the product to the correct standard, prepare the technical file, arrange testing, and manage the MoIAT submission end-to-end.

Do goods imported for a business own operational use, rather than for resale, still require certification?

This is a common question for hospitality and industrial importers bringing in equipment or tableware for their own premises. The own-use position is not clearly codified and should be confirmed with the relevant authority before dispatch, because it can materially change whether certification is required. We help clients establish the position and then execute whichever route applies.

Do staff uniforms or textiles require ECAS certification?

No. Apparel textiles are not a regulated category under the scheme and no conformity certification workstream arises for them.

Are decorative items regulated?

No, provided they are genuinely decorative and not intended for food service. Decorative pieces in stone, copper, wood or ceramic fall outside the regulated food-contact category.

Is wooden crockery treated the same as ceramic crockery?

Not identically. Wooden tableware is a food-contact item, but the UAE position on wooden food-contact materials is less clearly codified than for ceramics. We review the specifications case by case and recommend confirming the position with the authority as part of the regulatory analysis.

Can the manufacturer existing test reports be used instead of new testing?

Potentially, yes. If the manufacturer holds valid test reports from an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory covering the relevant heavy-metals migration parameters, in particular lead and cadmium release, fresh laboratory testing can often be avoided. The presence or absence of accredited reports is the single biggest variable in both timeline and cost.

How long does food-contact material certification take in the UAE?

As a general guide, approximately 6 weeks for the certification process, plus approximately 3 weeks for laboratory testing where fresh testing is required. Where valid accredited test reports already exist, the testing stage can potentially be removed.

Do wooden pallets and packaging need ISPM-15 marks?

Yes. Wooden pallets and crates used in a consignment must carry ISPM-15 heat-treatment marks. This has to be arranged at origin before dispatch, as it cannot be remedied once the consignment has arrived.

Get your product MoIAT-ready

Tell us your product and we will map the exact certificates, standards and tests you need — in one free consultation.

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Food & Ingestible Hub Honey Drinking Water (EQM) Label Assessment ECAS Programme Hub

TheCorpBridge prepares and manages MoIAT ECAS conformity certificate applications as a regulatory consultant. Conformity certificates are issued by MoIAT and its appointed Notified Bodies. Requirements summarised here follow current MoIAT service cards and may be updated by the Ministry.