RAK FTZ implements international environmental standards

Awarded by the German international certification organization "RWTUV", the RAK FTZ confirmed its dedication to compliance to the international environmental standards.

Oussama El Omari, the zone's CEO said the certification of the zone was a natural result for the zone's strict compliance to the UAE Federal Environmental rules, and international standards. "Despite the spread of heavy industries in the emirate, the RAK FTZ is keen to preserve the regions natural resources and defend the environment by controlling the various activities involving the environment," he said. The zone's companies operate only clean and environmental friendly industries and the RAK FTZ constantly evaluates the compliance of those companies with the environmental policies.

"Since the birth of the RAK FTZ, a key prerequisite to the approval of the applications for industrial companies from around the globe has been mainly based on the compliance of the applicants to the international environmental standards," he added. "RAK FTZ has an environmental committee comprising professionals who review and evaluate the applications, providing detailed environmental reports on the relative conditions and activities of the applying companies," he said.

El Omari explained that the RAK FTZ is exerting all the possible effort to protect public health and combat pollution. The zone has implemented environmental plans to adapt best practices, minimize the effects of pollution, and protect the environment of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. "This is the zone's responsibility towards the emirate and the society," said El Omari.

He stressed that preserving the standards on which the certificate was awarded to the zone is far more important than receiving it. "The RAK FTZ will do its best to ensure the authority and the companies do comply to international environmental standards and improve the environmental conditions in the emirate," he said.

He added that the ISO 14001 certificate was yet another key development in addition to the zone's 9001:2000 Quality Management certificates awarded in the years 2003 and 2006 towards its goal to achieve excellence and best practices.