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Hamariyah Free Zone tops green listing globally

“It is due to the strict environmental conditions pursued at the Zone that has achieved two international certification the ISO 14,000 and ISO 18.001 respectively,” said Al-Leem, while answering queries from members of the Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC) on Thursday. He disclosed that the Zone was the first in Sharjah to adopt and establish green buildings.

Al-Leem said a plant or project may not be approved unless certified by the HFZ Engineering Section, Sharjah Municipality, Civil Defence Department, along with two German and British assurance companies.

“Projects that may pose risk to the environment or produce hazardous wastes are never licensed,” he stressed.

Investors constructing their own facility on a leased plot, or leasing a pre built warehouse for light manufacturing purposes, are given a copy of the Engineering Environment, Health and Safety information Manual.

This manual is a guideline on project development, Engineering and Environmental standards to be maintained, procedures to be followed, fees and charges for services rendered, details on permits and certificates to be obtained.

With regard to emergency plans, Al-Leem said the Zone was leading among all the world free zones. It is the first in the Arab world to obtain an international certificate in labour rights and also the first to establish a union for free zones, in collaboration with the Arab League.

“Though we have only one civil defence centre, it is the only one in the UAE to have a specified area for training, and large tanks of water have been installed in select areas,” he said.

He revealed that two emergency mock drills, including the biggest in the country, were conducted in association with the Ministry of Interior.

· ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com