On the sidelines of the Fifth Session of the International Dates Council Members’ Council Meeting held in Riyadh, the International Dates Council (IDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Arab Accreditation Cooperation (ARAC).

The Memorandum outlines several key areas of cooperation between the two parties, including the provision of technical and economic consultancy services in fields of mutual interest, as well as support for laboratories involved in the testing and analysis of dates and date products in accordance with relevant international standards, thereby ensuring the reliability and quality of laboratory results.

The agreement also seeks to promote the accreditation of inspection bodies and certification entities operating across the dates value chain, including cultivation, processing, packaging, transportation, and marketing. This will contribute to enhancing product quality and opening new markets for Arab dates exports.

In addition, the two parties will collaborate to support and promote the implementation of food safety systems and quality standards within dates production and processing facilities across the Arab region, helping to improve compliance with international requirements and importer expectations.

The Memorandum further includes the development of technical capacity-building programs for professionals working in laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification organizations within the dates sector, including specialized training on international technical and regulatory standards.

Furthermore, the agreement aims to facilitate the mutual recognition of results issued by accredited laboratories and conformity assessment bodies throughout the dates value chain. This initiative is expected to support smoother trade flows, enhance market access, and strengthen the quality, reputation, and global competitiveness of Arab dates in international markets.