AMH

Government owned OMCs are all ESMA certified. Many other private local brands are not. If an outlet is selling an ESMA controlled product it should have its certificate ready for ESMA or DED inspections if they don't have EQM or ECAS quality marks printed on product labels.

Actually, there are rules in UAE that forces engine oil manufacturers or traders (Oil Marketing Companies) to get their products certified by ESMA (Emirates Standardization & Metrology Authority). Federal law no. 28 of 2001 empowers ESMA to force manufacturers and traders selling consumer products (including engine oil) to get their product certified. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) need to prove their products are complying with UAE standard GSO 1785-2013. This standard requires minimum API Service Categories (SJ) for gasoline engine lubricants & (CH-4) for diesel engines lubricants among other requirements. Many local OMCs will just write whatever they need consumers to read on their product labels without getting the product certified by ESMA and they will still be able to sell in the UAE market. On the ground, enforcing ESMA compliance on OMCs is still "under development". A good practice by engine oil consumers is to ask for ESMA ECAS or ESMA EQM Certificate before buying engine oil. This certificate should be available in garages, spare part shops and other outlets for reputable brands upon request.