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Getting Accredited DAC facilitates the leadership’s vision to make the emirate a hub of Islamic economy
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ubai Accreditation Department (previously called Dubai Accreditation Center, and generally referred to as DAC) is celebrating a momentous journey in its 10th year of operations. After traversing the entire GCC and beyond to establish quality infrastructure in all walks of life, DAC continues to have people’s health, safety and satisfaction as its main goal. This charts the next stage of DAC’s journey to achieve the UAE Vision 2021 launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, aimed to make the UAE among the best countries in the world by the Golden Jubilee of the Union. In order to translate the vision into reality, DAC started as an affiliate organ under Dubai Municipality — Dubai Government to provide accreditation services in diversified sectors. It
Amina Ahmed Mohammed, Director of DAC was set up to support the establishment of infrastructure quality in the UAE and covers all business sectors including the healthcare industry. All along DAC has been committed to its cause with dedication. Individuals working for DAC like technical assessors, task force members, ex-
perts, and workforce under the able guidance of Amina Ahmed Mohammed, Director of DAC, have contributed hugely in the development of the department. Established as a centre in May 2005, DAC was restructured as a department in 2008. The department is Dubai’s governmental accreditation body that grants accreditation to Conformity Assessment Bodies including but not limited to testing and calibration laboratories, medical laboratories, inspection bodies, certification and Halal certification bodies according to national and international standards. DAC works under the administrative control of the Dubai Municipality. DAC is a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) signatory and full member of International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). It is also a full member of the Multilateral Recognition Agreement (MLA) of International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC). After receiving such a level of recognition for accreditation work, DAC became the sole GCC recognised accreditation body. In the field of Halal accreditation, DAC is an active member at the Standard and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries Accreditation Committee.
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Main highlights hh The UAE has become part of an elite list of 74 economies providing accreditation services that are recognised worldwide. hh Ever since DAC got recognition as ILAC MRA and IAF MLA within a span of six years, the number of CABs has increased exponentially. Being the only internationally recognised body in the Gulf region, DAC provides recognised accreditation services to other Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. hh Wings of DAC, like a flying falcon, have spread across various countries in Asia, Europe, MENA region apart from the GCC. hh DAC organises various trainings in the field of lead auditors, internal auditors, awareness on various accreditation standards, measurement uncertainty, Halal certification and accreditation, and technical courses to improve the competency of the CABs. hh As a support service, DAC conducts proficiency testing for various sectors like construction materials testing, environmental testing,
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calibration, gold testing, etc. DAC organised the world’s first Halal PT programme in 2014. Initiation of Medical Lab Accreditation in 2008. Signing ILAC MRA in 2009. DHA mandated the Medical Lab Accreditation and issue of Law number 2/2010 for mandating the professional services accreditation in 2010. Increase in the number of labs to 320 by 2014 from 50 in 2008. DAC started the provision of accreditation in medical labs to enhance the credibility and confidence in patient test results since 2008. DAC’s future plan is working in parallel with jointly established IAF and ILAC World Accreditation Day 2015, to raise awareness on how accreditation can support the delivery of health and social care. DAC conducts training courses on various accreditation related topics. It launched the first cost effective web-based training programme for the first time in 2015.