UAE to tax non-certified sugary drinks at highest rate

Testing products at a UAE-accredited lab must to get certificate

- BY DHANUSHA GOKULAN

From January 1, all producers, importers and stockpilers of sweetened drinks in the UAE must obtain a mandatory sugar conformity certificate, or risk their products being taxed at the highest excise rate, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) confirmed yesterday.

The FTA said businesses must secure the 'Emirates Conformity Certificate for Sugar and Sweeteners Content in Beverages (for Excise Tax purposes)' via the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology's website.

To obtain the certificate, companies must first conduct laboratory testing at a UAE-accredited lab listed by the National Accreditation Department or the Emirates International Accreditation Centre.