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The conversation published by dairynews.today revealed that the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council plays a central role in shaping beverage regulations across the emirate and at the federal level. Miller, who serves with the QCC, said the council contributes to policies ranging from new alcohol testing requirements to federal standards developed with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. He also participates in international standards boards for bodies including the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Miller told dairynews.today that it is difficult to quantify the number of regulations he has influenced over recent years. “The best way to describe it is that if there’s a policy or regulation related to beverages in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, or UAE we’ll have a role in shaping it” Miller stated. The process generally starts with a request from a regulator such as the Abu Dhabi Food Safety Authority after which the QCC evaluates and prioritises using five criteria covering economic public health environmental security and social impacts.
This framework operates against a backdrop of significant regulatory changes in 2026. The Federal Tax Authority implemented a tiered excise tax on sweetened beverages from January 1 with rates ranging from zero for low-sugar drinks to AED 1.09 per litre for those containing 8 grams or more of sugar per 100 millilitres. The reform replaced a flat 50 percent rate with a system based on actual sugar content to encourage reformulation and healthier choices.
Environmental regulations have equally advanced with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment expanding its single-use plastics restrictions from the start of 2026. The second phase prohibits items including plastic cutlery plates straws beverage cups and lids as well as Styrofoam food containers according to the ministry. Exemptions apply to products manufactured in the UAE with recycled content to support the circular economy.
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi reported that its earlier single-use plastic policy had prevented the consumption of more than 470 million plastic bags and diverted 7,386 tonnes of plastic from landfill. That initiative contributed to a 95 percent reduction in bag use at major retail outlets in the emirate. Miller noted that the UAE remains behind in recycling capability despite these measures.
Producers should monitor how these impact criteria influence upcoming rules on front-of-pack nutrition labelling and further sugar reduction targets Miller advised in the dairynews.today interview. The QCC official highlighted that public health and safety consistently rank high in the prioritisation process. Such transparency helps industry prepare for evolving requirements in one of the world’s most import-dependent food markets.
