Abu dhabi: The Reference And Surveillance Intelligence Department (RASID), part of the Central Testing Laboratory at the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC) and operated in partnership with M42, has achieved the My Green Lab® Gold Certification. The certification recognises RASID as an advanced laboratory that combines scientific excellence, sustainability, operational efficiency, and technical innovation.
According to Emirates News Agency, with this result, RASID becomes the first operational government laboratory specialising in wastewater monitoring and environmental surveillance to earn the certification at the Gold level. It reflects the laboratory's commitment to applying leading global practices in sustainable laboratory operations, resource efficiency, and the reduction of environmental impact and carbon emissions.
The My Green Lab® certification is among the foremost international programmes for laboratory sustainability. It assesses a full set of practices covering energy, water, and resource efficiency, waste management, sustainable procurement, and the building of an environmental culture in the laboratory workplace. The certification carries growing weight amid the global shift toward lower emissions and greater efficiency in scientific and research operations. It aligns with international efforts supporting the transition to climate neutrality and with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Nationally, the achievement supports the UAE's direction toward climate neutrality, stronger resource efficiency, and more sustainable models of government operation, and it shows that scientific and technical progress can go hand in hand with environmental responsibility without compromising the quality and efficiency of laboratory services.
Engineer Abdulla Hassan Al Muaini, Executive Director of the Central Testing Laboratory at the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, commented on the achievement by stating that RASID's My Green Lab® Gold Certification reflects the Council's approach to building a government quality system that goes beyond technical competence to include sustainability, innovation, and long-term impact. He emphasized the importance of embedding sustainability in laboratory operations to deliver lasting value for government, society, and the economy, and to help translate the UAE's climate-neutrality goals into tangible operational practice.
Dr. Fahed Al Marzooqi, Chief Executive Officer, Integrated Health Solutions platform at M42, noted that RASID's certification is a significant milestone that exemplifies how scientific excellence, technology, and sustainability can create meaningful impact. He highlighted the partnership with the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council in building a more advanced approach to monitoring and analysis, leveraging automation, digital capabilities, and artificial intelligence for actionable insights that enhance public health and risk management.
Ahmed Muadhad Al Muhairi, General Manager of Environmental Sciences at M42, emphasized that sustainability at RASID is integral to its design rather than an add-on initiative. The laboratory environment was built on advanced scientific analysis, automation, and artificial intelligence. Achieving the Gold level sets a new international benchmark that enhances operational efficiency and resource use, promoting RASID as a model for future laboratories.
Samara Bin Salem, Director of the Reference Monitoring and Analysis Department (RASID), highlighted the importance of embedding sustainability within RASID's strategy and aligning it with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. She noted the reliance on advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency, resource use, and environmental impact, enhancing the speed and accuracy of analysis and proactive risk monitoring.
The RASID system supports the early detection of health and environmental risks through advanced testing, wastewater monitoring, health and environmental surveillance, and data analysis. It is accredited to the international standard ISO/IEC 17025 by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), underscoring its commitment to international standards for technical competence and test result quality and reliability.