ESMA prepares rules for control on energy drinks

Outlets selling energy drinks will have to put the necessary health warnings on the containers starting next year. To ensure that the energy drinks offered on sale across the country are safe for human consumption, the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) is adopting measures to put some control mechanisms in place. ESMA announced on Saturday that it has finalised preparation of rules that will develop a mechanism for the monitoring and control of energy drinks. Mohammad Saleh Al Badri, Acting Director General of ESMA revealed that the rules will be implemented beginning from the first quarter of the next year. He noted that the regulation will oblige the outlets to put necessary health warnings on containers of energy drinks. It will oblige them to put energy drinks on custom shelves in outlets where the necessary health warnings are clearly displayed in Arabic and English. Article continues below He added that the regulation also sets rules for the registration of energy drinks, where the authority will register the energy drinks after ascertaining their conformity with the rules. The move comes in line with the strategic plan of the Authority and its keenness to provide the best ways for ensuring public health, Al Badri added. He said the mechanism for control of energy drinks across the markets nationwide will be implemented in coordination with the local and federal governments.