DUBAI, UAE, 8 October 2023:Dubai Municipality has launched the world’s first system for certification and conformity marks in the field of 3D printing in the construction industry, which will serve as a proactive measure to streamline procedures and improve the quality of concrete mixes used in factories licensed and operating in Dubai. Making the announcement through a Press release, the Dubai Municipality said this step will be pivotal in advancing Dubai’s position as the world’s first city to adopt a conformity marking strategy for 3D printers used for construction and regulate this cutting-edge and sustainable construction technology. 

H.E. Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General, Dubai Municipality, said: “The certification and conformity mark system for factories and entities operating in the field of 3D printing for construction has been comprehensively established in alignment with Dubai Municipality’s proactive vision. This system embraces international best practices to provide exceptional services to individuals and the community, enhancing Dubai’s reputation and aligning with Dubai Municipality’s strategic objectives outlined in Dubai’s 2030 Plan. Additionally, the system supports Dubai’s 3D printing strategy, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Moreover, the strategy aims to utilise technology for the advancement of humanity and position the UAE and Dubai as prominent regional and global hubs for 3D printing technology.” 

H.E. Al Hajri said, “The new system is anticipated to make significant strides in the efforts to streamline practices and procedures for 3D printing and enhance the quality of concrete mixes used in licensed factories.” 

For his part, Alia Al Harmoodi, CEO-Environment, Health, and Safety Agency, Dubai  Municipality, said that the main focus of the new system includes assessing product and raw material quality, ensuring the efficiency of manufacturing equipment and machinery, defining technical standards of manufacturing operations at every stage of production, and ensuring efficiency of management systems within factories.  

In line with its efforts, Al Harmoodi said, Dubai Municipality has included an integrated guide on its website featuring four chapters that cover the key requirements to be met by factories and entities engaged in 3D printing for the construction sector. He further said that the guide, which has a flexible and relevant design, sheds light on various methods and technologies of manufacturing concrete used in 3D printers while considering different components and specifications of materials used by companies.

Dubai Municipality said that Dubai Central Laboratory will supervise the management of the new system in terms of product evaluation, auditing, and lab testing and issuing conformity certificates by approved technical principles and controls. In recent years, Dubai Municipality added that the laboratory has developed various certification and quality marking systems that have been instrumental in elevating product quality and ensuring consumer protection across Dubai. Dubai Municipality further said this includes conformity certification programs for ready-mix concrete, precast concrete, and cement and chemical additive factories.  

In addition, Dubai Municipality said that by integrating cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing, construction projects can yield numerous benefits such as reducing chances of errors, wastage of materials and natural resources used in mixtures like water, aggregate and cement, and accelerating work completion with minimum manpower.