UL Middle East safety forum highlights concerns around living and working environments in region

The first of its kind for UL outside North America, the MESF extends UL's commitment to safer environments in the Middle East.

The MESF is a neutral body with a singular focus on safety.

Henceforth it will meet once a year on topics that concern and impact living and working environments in the region.

Over 50 delegates from different stakeholder communities and subject matter experts, including the Regulators, senior business leaders from across industries and regions in the Middle East, participated in the first forum meeting.

The MESF encouraged participation from experts pre-eminent in their field and they who exemplify the highest levels of professional competence and ethical standards. MESF delegates act as the voice of public safety and endeavour to facilitate positive change.

Topics of discussion at the MESF included the establishment of requirements concerning products, components and systems, interpretation of standards, suitability of test methods, standards development, regulatory needs, regulatory acceptance and similar issues.
Forum members and participants are also invited to assist in the interpretation of requirements, particularly as they may apply to new developments.

Special emphasis for fire safety will be on development and implementation of standards that consider aspects like Safety in high-rise buildings, safety requirements of critical installations including public places, usage of local building materials, etc. However, as the forum grows, UL is planning to expand this to areas such as electrical safety, environmental safety and food and life safety.