ADFCA inks deal to improve services
Abu Dhabi, May 1, 2013: As part of its efforts at raising the bar on operations and services across all areas of its jurisdiction, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with British Standards Institution (BSI) Management Systems, Abu Dhabi.
Their Excellencies Rashed Mohamed Al Shariqi, Director General of ADFCA and Howard Kerr, Chief Executive of BSI, signed the MoU in the presence of senior officials from both the organizations and the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council. The signing ceremony was held on the sidelines of the first Abu Dhabi Quality Forum currently being organized by the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) at Jumeirah Etihad Towers.
The MoU with BSI complements the work of the Standing Technical Committees, an initiative launched by QCC to enable Abu Dhabi's regulators to develop applicable standards supported by the representation of the Emirates Standardization and Metrology Authority in the Committees. ADFQA is currently chairing the subcommittee and working group responsible for food-related matters.
The MoU envisages close cooperation and consultation between the two organizations in the development of agri-food legislation, guidelines, specifications and best practices for the Authority, training of human resources and management system standards.
Speaking after signing the MoU, HE Rashed Mohamed Al Shariqi said it represented a watershed moment in ADFCA's consistent pursuit of excellence and global standards in all areas of its operations.
"Our vision of becoming an internationally recognized food and agriculture organization is integrally linked to the Abu Dhabi Government's comprehensive strategy for good governance. For more than a century, BSI has been helping organizations across the world attain the highest levels of operational excellence. It is a matter of great pleasure and privilege for ADFCA to take our strong relationship with BSI to a higher level of close cooperation and consultation," Al Shariqi explained.
HE Howard Kerr said: "BSI and ADFCA have had a strong mutual partnership since 2009 having collaborated on many successful projects ranging from integrated managements systems for Business Continuity Management and health and safety to continual improvement through training. We are committed to our work in the area and support ADFCA as it strives for excellence. We share its vision for prolonged growth within the region."
