The Cabinet yesterday gave its nod to a draft decision on regulations for awarding the “Qatari Certificate of Conformity” for construction products in a bid to ensure the availability of quality building materials in the country.
In this regard, the regular weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers  approved a draft decision by the Minister of Environment to amend Decision No 192 of 2013, the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.
The draft decision stipulates that provisions of regulations attached to this decision should be applied to establishments in the state that manufacture construction products in compliance with approved standards and specifications.
The regulations stipulate conditions for giving a product the Qatari Certificate of Conformity, inspection procedures, evaluation, examination of a product that has received the certificate at an approved laboratory, the establishment’s commitments after getting the certificate and cases of their annulment, according to QNA.
“This strategy aims to amend the conditions for existing companies within the framework of the reconciliation period and exemption from due fees,” QNA quoted HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs  Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud as saying after the meeting.
In September this year, the Qatar General Organisation for Standards and Metrology at the Ministry of Environment had issued a handbook for procedures of issuing the Qatari Certificate of Conformity for construction products.
The handbook included the procedures to be followed to issue the certificate, aimed at encouraging national investment, as the activities of construction product factories have a significant impact on the state’s economy. These factories include ready-mixed concrete and its products, asphalt, rebar factories, bricks, floor tiles and plastic pipe plants.
Last week, the Cabinet had approved a draft decision by  the Minister of Environment to amend Decision No 19 of 2008 to endorse a guide that specified the standards pertaining to the certificate of Qatari conformity.
The draft stipulated that provisions of the guide should be applied to imported as well as domestically-produced goods, except for food and agricultural items, medication, medical equipment and crude oil.
Al-Mahmoud said the Cabinet also approved a draft law on the specifications and standardisation system.  
The bill will replace Law No 4 of 1990 in the context of updating legislation to keep pace with the rapid developments in the field of standards and standardisation.
Under the provisions of the draft law, a permanent committee - named the Advisory Committee for Specifications and Standardisation - will be formed under the chairmanship of the Qatar General Authority for Specifications and Standardisation and with the membership of representatives from the   authorities concerned.
Under the draft law, the Qatar General Authority for Specifications and Standardisation is the only authorised body for the issuance, adoption and deployment of standard specifications. Any other public or private body is not authorised to set standard specifications for the goods or services of any kind or origin in violation of the provisions of this law.

Council of Ministers
condemns Paris attacks

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud said the Council of Ministers had reiterated Qatar’s condemnation of the recent Paris terror attacks, in which more than 120 people were killed. The council, at its regular meeting, stressed Qatar’s solidarity with France and its people and stressed Qatar’s firm position rejecting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The council offered sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of France and wished for the  speedy recovery of the injured.