UAE’s downstream reinforcement steel manufacturer, Al Gurg Building Services has positioned itself at the forefront of promoting certified and traceable reinforcement steel products. In December last year, the company became the first downstream steel producer to receive formal approval under both the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) and the Emirates Quality Mark (EQM), certified by CARES.
Since then, Al Gurg Building Services has actively encouraged the use of certified reinforcement steel across the UAE construction sector, including publishing an free “ECAS Guide eBook for Reinforcement Steel Products” to raise awareness among contractors, developers, engineers and other industry professionals.
The company warns that failure to comply with UAE Regulations such as ECAS or Dubai Central Laboratory (DCL), can result in severe consequences. These include penalties, rejection of project approvals, delays in permits, and even breaches of contract.
In many construction agreements, certified building materials are mandatory, and non-compliance could lead to legal claims, financial liabilities, or contract termination.
Beyond regulatory risks, non-certified reinforcement steel poses direct safety hazards. Without verified mechanical and chemical properties, reinforcement steel can create weaknesses in structures leading to even collapse under stress. The danger is heightened in critical projects exposed to heavy loads, environmental stress, or seismic events, the company said.
Financial and reputational risks are also significant. Using non-certified reinforcement steel in construction projects poses significant financial, legal, and reputational risks. Such materials may fail to meet regulatory standards, leading to delays or outright rejection of project permits by authorities. This non-compliance can result in costly rework, fines, and potential legal liabilities. Moreover, it undermines stakeholder confidence, damaging the project’s credibility and trust among clients, consultants, and regulatory bodies.
From a sustainability perspective, non-certified reinforcement steel often lacks digital product passports and traceability, undermining compliance with frameworks such as ESTIDAMA, SAAFAT, and LEED, AGBS added.
AGBS’s advocacy comes at a time of heightened scrutiny in the industry. Last month, CARES, the global steel certification authority, temporarily suspended approval for an Emirati rebar producer after unannounced inspections revealed traceability and sourcing breaches. Though reinstated later under strict compliance conditions, the case underscored moves toward tighter enforcement of long steel regulations.
Under ECAS, all reinforcement steel must meet rigorous requirements for strength, durability, and sustainability. Authorities have introduced stricter traceability rules to strengthen oversight and protect both the domestic industry and the safety of the built environment.
Al Gurg Building Services emphasizes that choosing certified reinforcement steel is not just about meeting legal obligations, it is about ensuring safe, sustainable, and regulation-compliant construction. What may appear to be a short-term saving by using uncertified products can ultimately result in safety risks, project delays, financial losses, and long-term reputational damage.
