Since 1953

IRI Building Lebanese University Campus Hadath (Baabda) - Lebanon

Tel/Fax: +961 5 467831 Mobile: +961 3 286340 P.O. Box: 1107-2806 Beirut 2 010 Annual Report

WWW.IRI.ORG.LB 1 Index

IRI in brief ...... 5

Foreword by the Director General ...... 6

1. IRI services and activities ...... 9

2. Cooperation agreements ...... 25

3. Official visits, conferences & seminars inside & outside Lebanon ... 39

4. Training sessions ...... 59

5. International accreditation ...... 65

6. Fairs ...... 69

7. Lebanese Center for Cleaner Production (LCPC) ...... 73

8. European-Lebanese Center for Industrial Modernization -ELCIM .... 83

9. IRI Relations with ministries and public institutions ...... 89

10. IRI relations with the private sector ...... 95

11. Development of human resources & laboratory equipment ...... 99

12. Ongoing employee training ...... 107

13. Development and research policy ...... 117

14. Internationa'l and local partnerships ...... 123

15. Introducing IRI ...... 127

16. Decrees and decisions ...... 135

17. Newspaper clippings ...... 139

2 3 IRI in Brief

Established in 1953, the IRI is a Lebanese institution for studies, industrial research and scientific testing and analysis.

It is a Conformity Assessment Body; it delivers quality system certification, product certification and certification of persons.

IRI is a not-for-profit institution, declared of public utility by D/L n° 10059 dated 17 August 1955, linked to the Ministry of Industry by Law n° 642/1997, with administrative and financial autonomy.

The activities and services of the Institute are organized to realize the fol- lowing aims:

™™ To conduct studies and research relevant to the establishment of new industries ™™ To investigate and disseminate information about available raw materials with a view to defining their use and establishing the best means for their exploitation ™™ To provide, on an international scientific level, reliable services in testing and analysis and to grant certificates of quality or conformity with standards and purchase specifications ™™ To provide specialized technological, management and economic consulting services to existing industries and industrial development schemes ™™ To maintain close co-operation with official institutions, industrial organizations, and development boards both on the national and international levels in matters relating to the industrial development of the country.

Our Ethical Standards In carrying out its functions, the Institute adheres to ethical and professional standards whereby it safeguards the client’s best interests and regards as the client’s property any information, processes, patents or techniques developed during work for him and safeguards such matters in complete secrecy.

4 5 Foreword by the Director General

The Institute is proud of its extensive cooperation and between the Lebanese Centre for Cleaner with the international commissions concerned about Production and the Faculty of Agriculture at the industrial research, in particular the institutions that Lebanese University. The Institute launched also gave it the right to adopt their emblem to confirm the the Food Consulting Unit in collaboration and safety of the industrial products and their conformity partnership between the Institute and the Lebanese with the international standards and specifications. Chambers, Universities, and the Association of This cooperation is translated whether by Food Industries, in order to develop food products checking the updates of these specifications, or by and improve the export capabilities, and packaging, participating in scientific seminars and discussions and to maintain the quality within the international that clarify new concepts or develop them, as well required specifications, and help them to enter new as by the attendance by of worldwide seminars and markets and increase their productivity. workshops, and in this regard, the Institute has joined The Industrial Research Institute continues to the membership of the International Organization implement its strategy of always developing and for Non-Destructive Tests. modernizing it’s laboratories, and creating scientific The Institute has organized scientific workshops on regional and international levels, and has participated in similar seminars and activities; Bassam Frenn The active scientific hive therefore it proved its scientific presence and attendance on the conducted research level, and the Once again and despite all obstacles and hindrances, Under the interactive supervision of the top annually updated research discussions worldwide. the Industrial Research Institute remains to be management, the IRI’s human technical personnel innovations that place it internationally on the list The Institute also sought to expand its influence energetically active. The employees perseverance is were relentless in the upgrading of all activities and of the Scientific Innovation and Development regionally by transferring its scientific knowledge exemplary in it’s relentless Endeavour’s despite the specially in the continuous process of developing Centers. Under the care of its Directorate General and professional expertise to the institutions various sources of difficulties. new methodologies to cover all the requested needs and in cooperation with its technical personnel, the and establishments in Arab, Asian and African As the proverb says “deeds speak more than words”, and fields. Institute continues to register pages of success rarely countries. the rate of growth of IRI’s Activities during the year Not forgetting the activities and efforts made by achieved by a management in its development over On the national level the Institute has strengthened 2010 is outstanding. Scores were broken at more both the European-Lebanese center for Industrial a short period. Despite working against the tides, we its role via concluding cooperation agreements than one activity and level. If we let the numbers Modernization, and the Lebanese center for cleaner aim at a goal of setting a definite positive interactive between the European - Lebanese Centre speak, they would translate more than 270.000 tests production and in collaboration with them to the zone with all those concerned in order to help launch for Industrial Modernization and the and analysis from the laboratories as for studies the benefit of the development of Lebanese industry to the Lebanese industry in the center of globalization Chamber of Commerce, Industry custom files have exceeded 30.000 files. While in guarantee it’s competitiveness in the world market. requirements. and Agriculture of Beirut calibration and metrology more than 8000 activities and Mount Lebanon, were conducted.

6 7 Services1 & Activities

9 Laboratory Activity

Compared to the practical realities of the daily work However, this increase did not encompass the various Textile and leather laboratories Civil Engineering and Soil activity in the laboratories of the Industrial Research sections of the laboratory, but the analysis and testing Despite the fact that these laboratories achieved an These laboratories have the second largest share of Institute, which totaled 236,527 during the year in the textile and leather laboratories decreased due to increase in their activity since 2007 at an average tests and analysis after the laboratories of electricity 2010, we can described this activity as a "beehive", the decline of this industry locally. The laboratories annual rate of 6.7 percent, however it receded in and before the Laboratories of chemistry, therefore especially that the daily average rate of testing and activities were distributed statistically as follows: 2010 compared to the previous year, registering accounting for 23 percent for a total of 55 486 tests analysis during the annual working days, has in- 3844 tests and analysis, lower by 155 tests and and analysis, with an increase of 4672 tests and Chemistry Laboratories creased from about 600 to about 800 tests distrib- analysis which rate is 3.87 percent. analysis at a rate of 9.2 percent compared to 2009, The activity and growth of these laboratories are dis- uted to all types of laboratories. while the average annual growth rate has reached tinguished so that they doubled in a year. This activity Oil and paint 15.4 percent since 2007. The average annual growth rate has increased dur- included 50 855 analysis and tests versus only 27,205 Analysis and tests made in oil and paint have in- ing the pack of four years, from 12.5 percent to 17.2 in 2009, with an increase of 23 650 analysis and tests creased by 7.5 percent in 2010, restoring some of Electricity Laboratories percent between 2007 and 2010. These laboratories which rate is 87 percent, and it is a considerable in- its losses in 2007. The analysis and tests reached Their share amounted to 28 percent of the total have achieved a growth rate of 27 percent over the crease that makes the average growth of these labo- 2079 with an increase of 146 tests. analysis and tests achieving 66.266 analysis and past year. ratories’ activities of 44.5 percent annually between test with an increase of 1205, rated 1.8 percent more Central Laboratory for Flour, TESTS and ANALYSES 2007 and 2010. bread, and cereals than in 2009, compared with an average annual rate of 4.4 percent since 2007. The total analysis amounted 236,527 in 2010 versus Microbial Laboratories These laboratories conducted 12.957 tests and 174,592 (except welding section), in 2009. The test- The activity of these laboratories is twice more it was analysis in 2010, with an increase of 1716 tests and Welding laboratories ing and analysis processes have increased by more in 2009, it achieved 30 232 tests and analysis in 2010, analysis from the year 2009 with a rate of 15.2 per- 14 808 tests and trials were conducted in the weld- than 47,127 process, more than a quarter amount of with an increase of 15 893 tests and analysis of an cent. The average annual rate reached 9.2 percent ing laboratories, with an increase of 473 tests, rated the operations in the previous year, to reach 27 per- almost rate 111 percent, making the average annual since 2007. to 3.3 percent, at an average annual growth rate of cent. growth rate of 46 percent since 2007. 9.6 percent since 2007.

Number of tests for each lab 2007 -- 2010 Tests & Analyses 2007 -- 2010 Laboratories 2007 2008 2009 2010 2007 2008 2009 2010

Wet & Physical Chemistry 16,861 21,176 27,205 50,855 66,266

Microbiology 9,713 12,316 14,339 30,232 65,061 58,886 58,255

Textile & Leather 3,165 3,232 3,999 3,844 55,486 50,814 50,855 Paint & Petroleum 2,661 1,470 1,933 2,079 41,444 Civil Engineering & Soil 36,161 41,444 50,814 55,486 36,161

Electrical 58,255 58,886 65,061 66,266 30,232 27,205

Bread (CLBW) 9,967 11,100 11,241 12,957 21,176 17,660 16,861 14,808 14,339 14,335 12,957 12,316 11,241

Welding 11,275 17,660 14,335 14,808 11,275 11,100 9,967 9,713 3,999 3,844 Total 148,058 167,284 188,927 236,527 3,232 3,165 2,661 2,079 1,933 1,470

wet & physical microbiology textile paint & civil engineering electrical bread welding chemistry & leather petroleum & soil

10 11 Number of tests

Laboratory Regular Customs Total

Bread (CLBW) 12,950 7 12,957

Chemistry 47,365 3,490 50,588

Microbiology 27,479 2,753 30,232

Paint and Petroleum 1,231 848 2,079

Textile 1,012 2,832 3,844

Total 90,037 9,930 99,967

Work Authorities Reports 2007 -- 2010 Comparison: 2007-2010

Laboratory 2007 2008 2009 2010 Laboratory 2007 2008 2009 2010

Wet and Physical Chemistry 1,549 1,956 2,337 3,546 Bread (CLBW) 9,967 11,100 11,241 12,957

Microbiology 740 1,005 1,409 2,492 Chemistry 16,861 21,176 27,205 50,855

Bread (CLBW) 584 560 464 535 Microbiology 9,713 12,316 14,339 30,232

Paint and Petroleum 125 170 329 172 Paint and Petroleum 2,661 1,470 1,933 2,079

Textile 128 100 115 73 Textile 3,165 3,232 3,999 3,844

Total 3,126 3,791 4,654 6,818 Total 42,367 49,294 58,717 99,967

110,000 textile & textile & 99,967 6,818 leather leather 7000 paint & petroleum 100,000 paint & petroleum 1% wet & physical 4% chemistry 3% 2% CLBW 51% chemistry 51% 8% CLBW 13% 6000 90,000

58,717 5000 4,654 60,000

3,791 49,294 4000 50,000 42,367 3,126

3000 40,000

37% 30% 2000 30,000 microbiology microbiology

1000 20,000

2007 2008 2009 2010 2007 2008 2009 2010

12 13 Statistics

Type of Product Number of samples Number of tests Type of Product Number of samples Number of tests

Grains 204 1,429 Pesticide residue and chemicals 344 2,017

Flour 1,205 13,257 Halawa and Tahineh 904 1,046

Bread 8 64 Cosmetics, soaps and shampoos 1,270 6,417

Raw and dry pasta and cereal flakes 110 770 Detergents 421 1,988

Dairy products 1,023 5,115 Disinfectants 10 52

Meat and meat products 639 3,626 Textile and textile products 266 2,196

Ready-to-eat 172 730 Diapers, gauze, and napkins 737 3,845 cooked foods-snacks Paper and paper products 25 27 Nuts, nut products and coffee 1,226 6,312 Plastics, leather and rubber 351 957 Oils and fats 1,154 5,766 Swabs 46 66 Vegetables, fruits and processed vegetables 386 4,149 Herbs 34 216 Spices and condiments 43 358 Antibiotics 6 12 Sugars and syrups 145 531 Pharmaceutical products 4 25 Jam and honey 113 595 Ores, soil, sand and glass 561 1,062 Salt 68 476 Steel bars 670 5,363 Chocolates, biscuits, and cocoa 897 5,382 Aluminum 134 625 Sweets 277 693 Metals 296 1,140 Water 1,061 6,985 Cement 262 1,346 Rose water and orange blossom 8 64 Paint 24 208 Non-alcoholic beverages 1,013 4,892 Extinguishers 6 12 Alcoholic beverages 391 1,503 Chemical products 25 323 Eggs and sauces 855 5,985 Petroleum products 456 1,871 Animal feed 42 294 Total 17,917 99,967 Fertilizers and compost 25 177

14 15 Importing

Reports and attestation for import (Customs declaration)

Field Number of Files

Cosmetics Forbidden components 430 4,300 Provisionally allowed 65 Food/Food products Preservatives 67 4,300 Emulsifier, thickener, stabilizers252 Antioxidants 180 Artificial Sweeteners25 Colors 90 Detergents Full Analysis: Powdered detergent, liquid dishwashing, olive 1,011 oil soap Export to Arab countries, Baby Diapers Full Analysis 588 Europe and the United States Hydraulic oils Full Analysis 720 Glass Analysis and Inspection 303 Number of Product Dairy products Full Analysis 454 reports Paint/Paint products Full Analysis 214 Beer including sealing 54 Soy and Corn oil Full Analysis 107 Alcoholic beverages 8 Miscellaneous - 649

Non-alcoholic beverages 98

Juices 2 800 14,000

Nuts and nuts products 10 700 12,000 12,646 Chocolate and sweets 2 714 600 10,000 Tahineh, Halawa and olive oil 82 10,381

Herbs 2 500 8,000 9,119

Vegetables and processed vegetable products 1 490 400 6,000 7,886 Detergents 16

300 4,000 Cosmetics 372 346 300 Napkins, toilet paper and facial tissues 64 200 2,000

Industrial products 3 100 Total 714

2007 2008 2009 2010 2007 2008 2009 2010

16 17 tests. In comparison for 2009 an increase by 19.5 per- External Inspection cent was made for the first one, and a 25.6 percent for the second.

Pressure The number of samples submitted to laboratories of pressure has reached 77, on which 616 tests were conducted, at a rate of 8 tests per sample. The number of samples has increased by 18.5 percent more than in 2009, and the number of tests by 14.9 percent. Electricity Power Tests made on samples in the field of electricity have known a considerable development between 2009 The power measuring laboratories have received 3 The Laboratories of the Industrial Research Institute gas reservoirs and its thorough checking through 400 and 2010, as their number has risen from 49 to 79 samples on which 24 tests were conducted, at a rate have conducted 30566 external control processes with processes, and oil control of oil tanks and their cali- and at a rate of 61 percent. The number of tests has of 8 tests per sample. a decrease of 5025 processes less than in 2009, rep- bration in 126 processes, and the control of boilers in risen as well from 392 to 632 and at a rate of 61.2 resenting 14.1 percent, versus an increase 10085 con- 140 processes, to 29 900 control processes of contain- Blocks percent. The share of each sample reached eight trol processes in 2009, what makes the average annual ers’ pressure. And these operations have controlled The number of blocks’ samples reached 463, on tests. And the number of samples and tests has evo- growth rate of 37.3 percent since 2007. 65 thousand gas bottles locally manufactured, and 30 which 4630 tests were conducted, at a rate of about luted at an annual average rate of 6.7 percent since thousand imported. These processes include the control of the natural 10 tests per sample. In comparison to 2009, the num- 2007. External Inspection ber of samples fell by 5.7 percent, and the tests by 2.9 Different tests Activitiy 2007 2008 2009 2010 percent. But the samples submission has evoluted an- The number of samples has increased from 18 to 40, LPG Storage Tanks Inspection 196 328 405 400 nually at an average rate of 15.3 percent since 2007, and the tests from 144 to 324, between 2009 and Fuel Tanks Inspection & calibration 91 188 144 126 and the related conducted tests rate at 17.7 percent. 2010, and at a rate of 122 percent for the samples Boiler Inspection 179 165 170 140 Dimensions and 125 percent for the tests, at an average of 8 tests Other Pressure Vessels 11,350 24,925 34,872 29,900 The number of samples declined from 38 in 2009 to per each sample. The average annual growth rate Total 11,816 25,606 35,591 30,566 36, and the number of tests from 304 to 288 and at a has evoluted at a rate of 22 percent for the samples, and 22.5 percent for the tests. LPG Cylinders - Locally Manufactured ---- 3 ---- 65,000 rate of 5.3 percent for each one.

LPG Cylinders - Imported ------20,000 30,000 Metrology (Calibration) 2007 2008 2009 2010 Metrology Laboratory Technical Subjects Item Test Item Test Item Test Item Test These laboratories have received 894 samples from Heat Temperature 96 825 132 1,263 164 1,560 196 19,60 various companies, conducting on them 8204 tests. 196 samples were submitted to these laboratories, and Pressure 248 55 678 65 536 77 616 1960 tests were conducted on them, at an average rate The samples’ acceptance achieved an increase by 7.5 Force 26 208 15 120 7 56 3 24 of 10 tests per sample. And the submission of samples percent versus a 9.6 percent increase in testing opera- Mass 302 2,676 283 2,504 491 4,492 463 4,360 has evoluted at an average rate of 26.8 percent an- tions on these samples, compared to the year 2009. Length 53 424 21 336 38 304 36 288 nually since 2007, compared to 33.4 percent for the The evolution of these laboratories’ activity is high- Electricity 65 520 136 1,032 49 392 79 632 Others lighted as follows: 22 176 22 184 18 144 40 324 (Acoustic, Flow... etc) Total 595 5,077 664 6,117 832 7,484 894 8,204

18 19 Product Certification Forty four products have got the product quality certificate from the Industrial Research Institute in 2010, within the production 8 industrial enterprises.

IRI Product Certification 24 Certified Products by 9 Companies Almaza Cimenterie Nationale Ciment of Sibline Certification -Almaza Beer alcoholic -P 52.5 BTNA RMS -P42.5 RMS (par lot) -Almaza non-alcoholic -P 42.5 BTNA RMS -PAL 42.5 -Laziza non-alcoholic -P 42.5 -P 42.5 Management System Certificates -PAL 42.5 Twenty three institutions have received a certificate Two institutions have got a certificate of ISO 13485 Future Pipes Holcim LECICO of ISO 9001 quality system for medical devices, -Concrete Pipes -P 42.5 BTNA RMS -Floor and wall tiles BIIb -Glass reinforced plastic pipes -PAL 42.5 Mer -Floor and wall tiles BIII -Rubber gaskets -PAL 42.5 Montagne -Sanitary ware Two institutions have got a certificate of ISO 14000 And one institution has got a certificate of ISO 22000 -PAZ 42.5 environmental management system, in the food safety system. -P 42.5 Lematic Sannine Daher International Food Co. S.A.L. -Refrigerators, freezers and bottle coolers -Bottled mineral water 0.5L, 1.5L, 2L -20 products Quality System Certification ISO 9001 - Quality Management System 23 Certified Companies Château Kefraya, since 2006 Nasri Karam & Sons, since 2003 Château KSARA, since 2003 Certification of Personnel Lebanese Welding Center TUV Hellas, since 2008 Rim Co., since 2002 Produits & Solutions Informatiques– PSI, IRI grants certificates to individuals enabling them since 2002 The Institute has granted 91 certificates for welding to check the quality of systems and products, in col- through the Lebanese Center for Welding, and a cer- Medical Distributing & Manufacturing (MDM), Holcim (Liban) SAL, since 2003 El Youssef Medical Center, since 2005 laboration with the French institution, "MODI”. since 2003 tificate of inspection in the non-destructive testing. LECICO, since 2008 Holcim Béton, since 2008 Harfouche for Trading & Industring EST. These certificates were distributed in 2010: (Pastel Paints), since 2004 ™™ 92 internal auditors Integrated Digital Systems, since 2004 Nakhlé Zgheib & Co., since 2008 Bel Labtronic, since 2004 ™™ 95 auditors in the quality systems ™ Lebanese International Technologies Dora Flour Mills Building Chemicals Company ™ 3 auditors in environmental systems since 1999 since 2004 since 2008 ™™ 3 auditors in food systems Chirak Printing Press, since 2008 Betomix, since 2009 Clinserv International, since 2009 ™™ GAP Analysis for CCIA ™ Aclinic, 2010 Mondi Lebanon, 2010 ™ 6 auditors in the ways of the size and calibration (from Iraq).

ISO 14000 - Environmental Management System 2 Certified Companies Certification of Personnel 2010 Holcim Liban SAL Société Libanaise des Ciments Blancs « Internal » Auditors 92 since 2004 (SLCB) since 2009 Lebanese Welding Center 2007 2008 2009 2010 « IRCA » Auditors for auditing quality systems 95 Welders certified by IRI 83 127 82 91 « IEMA » Auditors for auditing environmental systems 3 ISO 13485 - Medical Devices: Quality Management System 2 Certified Companies « IRCA » Auditors for auditing alimentary systems 3 Inspectors in non-destructive 0 1 1 1 MDM, 2010 Steritech, 2010 testing Analytical Training: Chemical & Microbiological exami- 43 nation (persons from Iraq) ISO 22000 - Food Safety Management System 1 Certified Company GAP Analysis for CCIA-Zahle & Saida and LAPI-Fanar

Chateau KSARA, 2010 Mass & scale calibration method (persons from Iraq) 6

20 21 In 2010 The Institute checked an average Customs Files Total Distribution (%) of 100 files per day distribution of files by type & gate Customs Files The customs files were distributed as follows: 41.8 Pre-shipment At Borders Horizontal Stores Not Subject percent for electrical equipment and products, this 100 The Industrial Research Institute continue to accom- Pre-shipment said 11 763 files. The soil (clay or ceramic) counts 90 25% 25% plish tasks in customs’ files studying and scrutiny, The number files relevant to the cargo pre-screening 2851 files (10.1 percent). Chemical products count 28% 28% 80 among the tasks entrusted to it since 2005, so that prior to shipment in the exporting country, has in- 11133 files (39.6 percent). Mechanical devices count the Institute be sure that the imported products are creased from 2274 to 2788 files and at an annual de- 485 files, public files count 1463, Rebars count 316 70 27% matching in conformity the mandatory Lebanese velopment average rate of 7 percent since 2007, while files, and 130 pressure files. 60 34% 32% 32% standard characteristics. in 2010 it increased by 10.7 percent. The port of Beirut has taken 15.992 files, represent- 50 The number of incoming files to the Institute for ing 56.9 percent of the total files, and the Interna- Horizontal Specifications 40 scrutiny has risen from 18532 files in 2007 to 28141 tional Airport of Rafik Hariri has taken 5863 files 23% The number of files subject to special horizontal spec- files in 2010 at an annual development average rate representing 20.8 percent, and the factory 3370 files 30 24% 23% 23% ifications has evoluted at an annual average of 15.6 of 14.94 percent. The increase was 4183 files in 2010 constituting 12 percent. 20 13% percent increasing from 4,300 to the 6649 files. The 6% 7% compared to 2009, and at a rate 17.45 percent. 7% 10 rate of its increase has reached 21.5 percent in 2010 12% 11% 10% 10% As a result of auditing we found out that 1141 files compared to what it was in 2009. These files are ex- 2007 2008 2009 2010 does have the mandatory conditions, and they con- amined and returned to their owners in the same day. stitute 4.5 percent of the overall files, hence 1112 of them were re-corrected. Checking goods in storage Customs Files by Type 2010 The goods’ files that are checked after storage have Type Electrical Soil Chemical Mechanical Common Files Rebars Pressure Total The customs files studies were distributed as such: increased at an annual average rate of 21 percent Number 11,763 2,851 11,133 485 1,463 316 130 28,141 Files not subject since 2007, rising from 5063 to 8982 files. The in- These are files received by the Industrial Research crease amounted to about 1304 files from 2009, con- 9,557 2,269 11,133 485 1,463 316 130 25,353 Institute, but are not subject to checking process, stituting a 17 percent rate. Not Subject * 3,415 134 3,527 67 504 44 63 7,754 but they are beyond it because they are not subject Subject 6,142 2,135 7,606 418 959 272 67 17,599 Checking Goods at Borders to mandatory standards. They have risen from 4594 Non-conformity 683 420 36 -- in E, C & S -- 2 1,141 files in 2007 to 7.754 in 2010 and at an annual devel- The number of files reached 1968 from 1655 in 2009, 7.15% 18.51% 0.32% 1.54% 4.5% opment average rate of 19 percent versus an increase and at an increase of 313 files, representing 18.9 per- Corrective Action ** 671 420 20 -- in E, C & S -- 1 1,112 cent rate. of 16.9 percent during 2010, than in 2009. Subject 12 0 16 0 in E, C & S 0 1 29

* the goods were found not subject to the requirements of the mandatory technical Lebanese standards Customs Files Total Distribution ** guidance provided by IRI to rectify non-conformity when possible 40000 2007 2008 2009 2010

35000 Customs Files by Entry Point

Location Electrical Soil Chemical Mechanical Common Files Rebars Pressure Total

30000 28,141 Masnaa 378 46 2,496 319 90 24 17 3,370

25000 23,958 Port 5,682 2,203 6,525 139 1,138 206 99 15,992

20,097 Airport 3,480 20 2,087 27 235 0 14 5,863 18,532 20000 Tripoli 17 23 0 0 0 82 0 122 Tyr 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 15000 Saida 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 4

8,982 2,206 582 0 0 0 0 0 2,788 7,678 10000 7,754 Pre-shipment 6,649 6,804 6,633

5,474 (port) 5,063 4,855 4,939 4,594 2,788 5000 4,300 2,518 TOTAL 11,763 2,874 11,110 485 1,463 316 130 28,141 2,345 2,031 2,274 1,968 1,655 1,154 Average/Day 40.3 9.85 38 1.67 5 1.1 0.45 96.37 Pre-shipment At Borders Horizontal Stores Not Subject* Total

22 23 Cooperation2 Agreements

25 Memorandum of Understanding between IRI & the Czech Office for Standards, Metrology, and Testing 21- 25 June, 2010 In the framework of the preparation of the ACAAs Parallel to the visit, a Memorandum of Understand- agreement (Agreement on Conformity Assessment ing in the fields of conformity assessment, stan- and Acceptance of Industrial Products), TAIEX dardization and metrology was signed between IRI, (Technical Assistance and Information Exchange In- represented by Dr. Bassam Frenn, and the UNMZ, strument) has organized a study visit to Prague that represented by its president Eng. Milan Holecek. included the Czech Office for Standards Metrology and Testing (UNMZ), and at the Czech Engineering Test Institute. The visit focused on three priority sectors that have been approved by Lebanon and the EU States through the ACAAs committee, which are: Con- struction products, Electrical equipment (low volt- age), and Mechanical equipment (pressure related). The discussions covered legislation issues, quality infrastructure (accreditation, certification, confor- mity assessment), standardization laws, harmoniza- tion and technical regulations. Particular attention was given to the European experience in product safety issues. The Lebanese delegation was comprised of the IRI Director General, Dr. Bassam Frenn, Chairman of the ACAAs Committee and Director of the Quality Program at the Ministry of Economy and Trade, Dr. Ali Berro, and the Program Coordinator of the EU and UN Programs at IRI, Mr. Naji Abi Zeid. Dr. Frenn and Eng. Holecek signing the MoU

26 27 IRI launched: the «Food Consulting Unit»

Commemorative photo during the launching

9 March 2010 The Industrial Research Institute held a ceremony national specifications, to help them to enter new for the launching of the "Food Consulting Unit" markets and increase productivity. under the patronage of the Minister of Industry, The Director General of IRI, Dr. Bassam Frenn, Engineer Ibrahim Dedeyan, at the Institute's head- pointed out during his speech, that the establishment quarters in Hadath. Among the attendants were of this unit aims to support food industries through head of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and investing technical resources and providing a con- Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, Mr. Mo- centrated services package for the Industrialists, re- hamed Choucair, head of the Sidon and the South lated to the topics of awareness, quality, food safety Chamber, Mr. Mohammed Zaatari, and head of and product development. Zahle, and Bekaa Chamber, Mr. Edmond Juraisati, President of the Association of Food Industries, Mr. Mr. Choucair stressed on the importance of coopera- George Nasraoui, Manager of the "MACLE" pro- tion and partnership between the concerned parties, gram under UNIDO, Mrs. Soha Atallah, Dean of and that the Chamber of Beirut gives the utmost im- the Faculty of Agriculture at the Holy Spirit Uni- portance to supporting the national industry. versity, Mrs. Leila Geagea, as well as teachers and The Minister of Industry mentioned that the main academics from the American University of Beirut concern of his ministry is to "support the activities and USEK University. of applied research and technological development The project is the result of cooperation and part- and to find the appropriate mechanisms to support nership between IRI, the chambers, the universities this vital field and link it to the industrial sector". The and the Association of Food Industries, in order to Minister then praised the efforts of Dr. Frenn and the develop food products and improve their export ELCIM team as well as the professional staff work- capabilities, as well as promote filling, packaging, ing at iRI laboratories, such as engineers, economists, and quality maintenance within the required inter- technicians and administrators.

28 29 Mr. Choucair and Dr. Frenn sign the agreement: A Branch of "Elcim" in the Chamber of Beirut and Mount Lebanon

Dr. Frenn and Mr. Choucair signing the MoU

quality and competitiveness. This, in turn, leads to ized services for the chamber’s associates’ interests, 2 July 2010 General of the Chamber, Mr. Rabih Sabra, the EL- the consolidation of the developed sectors able to and their follow up in the development of their work The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Indus- CIM Director, Mr. Raja Haber, as well as various eco- provide employment opportunities to attract young to improve production levels, quality, conformity to try and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, nomic activists and businessmen. people and prevent them from leaving Lebanon.” standards, vocational training, and finding financing Mr. Mohammad Choucair, and the Director Gen- Mr. Choucair delivered a speech for the occasion sources. Dr. Frenn considered that the cooperation agreement eral of the Industrial Research Institute, Dr. Bassam stating “the ELCIM team has worked hard for eight with the Chamber is part of the strategic partnership Dr. Frenn added “through ideal industrial recruit- Frenn, signed a cooperation agreement which states years now and it is a program funded by the European adopted by the Institute on both domestic and in- ment, we are laying the foundations for the future by the establishment of a representative office of the Union, aiming to improve the productivity and qual- ternational levels for years now. He also affirmed contributing to improve the trade balance, increase Euro–Lebanese Center for Industrial Moderniza- ity of the Lebanese industry”. He stressed on the need his determination to develop the relationship of co- exports, create jobs opportunities, encourage invest- tion (ELCIM) at the Chamber in order to expand the to pursue this program seeing the benefits it provides operation between the Institute and the Chamber ments, complementing the work of the Lebanese scope of services provided to its adherents. to the industrial sector, as well as the experience it “especially with the new promising administration government in terms of stimulating and activating gained in the Lebanese market. He pointed out that The signing ceremony was attended by Vice Presi- management of the Chamber represented by its am- the national economy. “the Chamber of Beirut and Mount Lebanon sees a dent of the Chamber, Mr. Mohammad El-Lama, bitious President Mr. Mohammed Choucair”. Dr. Mr. Haber then introduced the services provided President of Beirut Dealers Association, Mr. Nicolas wide possibility to benefit from its techniques, and Frenn clarified that “IRI has been fostering ELCIM by ELCIM to the industrial enterprises, noting that Shammas, President of the Lebanese Association for allow the small and medium enterprises to benefit of since 2005, in order to improve the quality of ser- “opening an office in the Chamber enables us to deal Privilege Licensing, Mr. Charles Arbid, Chairman these techniques as well.” vices provided by the Institute to its commercial and directly with the associated members, and allows of the National Council for Lebanese Economists, industrial community”. Mr. Choucair considered that “the support of the them to benefit to a greater extent from our provided Mr. Samir Rahal, Chamber Treasurer, Mr. Nabil Fa- Chamber and its reliance on ELCIM Center is part He noted that the hosting of an ELCIM office at the experiences in addressing the problems of their in- hed, President of the Association of Food Industries of an integrated plan that aims to boost the Leba- Chamber will facilitate direct communication with stitutions and identifying their priorities to improve Owners in Lebanon, Mr. George Nasraoui, Director nese production to the international level in terms of the Chamber’s members, and stressed on special- performance”.

30 31 Memorandum of cooperation for the Dissemination of Green Competitiveness in Lebanon

Signing the MoU during the national forum

01/26/2010 Yaacoub Alzena (Spain) Frenn As an update of the environmental activism in which After the national anthem, the audience stood a min- The Director of the Regional Activity Centre for IRI Director General, Dr. Bassam Frenn, praised the IRI has contributed during the year 2010, it has col- ute of silence to mourn the victims of the Ethiopian Cleaner Production in Spain, Mrs. Virginia Alzena, the Minister of Industry Engineer abraham Dedeyan laborated in organizing a national forum on "Best plane. Then the Director of the Lebanese Cleaner talked about the importance of participating in the in all these challenges, based on his conviction that Available Techniques: Mechanisms for Strength- Production Centre (LCPC), Dr. Ali Yaacoub talked forum, which introduces the best available tech- the loss of quality, is equivalent to non-life for indus- ening the Green Competitiveness in Lebanon”, by about the importance of the event aiming to develop niques and control mechanisms to avoid contamina- try. He focused on the creation of new frameworks the Lebanese Ministry of Environment at the Mov- the industrial sector under the international econom- tion in order to strengthen green competitiveness in that stimulate the green and environmental produc- enpick Hotel - Beirut, and the Industrial Research ic variables. He asserted LCPC’s role as a construc- Lebanon. It's a great honor for the Regional Activity tion required for sustainable development and for Institute in collaboration with the Lebanese Center tive link between environment and industry, because Centre to have the opportunity to launch the Initia- entering the markets which set tough standards and for Cleaner Production ( LCPC), and the Regional the heavy environmental challenges - in their risks tive of Green Competitiveness in Lebanon. For us, it conditions on exporters. Activity Centre for Cleaner Production in Spain. and impacts on people's lives and future - require a is another step towards universal application of the He added, we launched with our strategic partners They participated in the opening session; the Di- collective action adhered to by everyone in the pub- green competitiveness culture in this Mediterranean several initiatives to strengthen the national capaci- rector-General of the Ministry of Environment Mr. lic and private sectors. He added, LCPC aims to help country, and this mission falls within the heart of the ties in cleaner production through training, habilita- Berj Hatjian, the Director-General of the Industrial the Lebanese industrialists to improve their environ- Centre’s function, which aims to deploy these tech- tion, education and introduction of clean technolo- Research Institute Dr. Bassam Frenn, the Direc- mental performance in modern means and meth- nologies in all countries of the Mediterranean. gies in the industrial enterprises that have followed tor of the Spanish Center Mrs.Virginia Alzena, the ods that ensure their better economic performance. She explained how the Centre’s headquarters in Bar- these programs. We strengthened our means after Director of the Lebanese Center Mr. Ali Yaacoub, We have achieved - through injecting standards of celona has become, since 1996, one of six regional IRI has become the incubator of LCPC since 2004, and diplomats from the embassies of Denmark and cleaner production and enhancing green competi- centers in the Mediterranean region, operating un- and the Euro - Lebanese Center for Industrial Mod- Spain, as well as environmental experts, economists, tiveness for about 25 industrial enterprises - savings der the auspices of the United Nations Environment ernization (ELCIM) since 2005. The positive re- industralists and financiers. amounted at almost a million dollars per year." Programme. sults achieved are not limited to the frame of envi-

32 33 ronmental benefits. It is through the application of that pushes industrial enterprises to adapt to its re- these techniques, that industrialists have achieved quirements in order to benefit from its positive ad- savings in production, which help them to enhance vantages to reduce pollution rate levels and achieve competitiveness and to allocate these profits for ap- savings in production. plied studies and research, and look for new mar- kets. We seek through green competitiveness to find The Memorandum of Understanding a growing role for small and medium enterprises, During the forum, a Memorandum of Understand- pushing them to adopt the best techniques for pol- ing was signed between the Industrial Research lution control through the application of the cleaner Institute, the Regional Activity Centre for Cleaner production methods. We, at IRI and through LCPC, Production, and LCPC. The memorandum includes are ready to utilize the potential of our experts, tech- the establishment of a strong framework of close nicians and consultants for the service of these en- cooperation between the three parties in order to terprises. ELCIM conducts economic and adminis- disseminate the culture of green competitiveness in trative feasibility studies, and provides the technical Lebanon, through: consultation required at this level. The relations are ™™ The transfer of expertise and the exchange excellent between the Institute and the Ministry of of knowledge on cleaner production to the Environment in order to preserve the environment industrial sector, particularly to the small and in Lebanon, and we will collaborate together on medium enterprises, so they can be integrated this platform. We look forward to proceeding in this into the global economy protocol to be up to the level of Euro – Mediterra- ™™ The coordination and cooperation to organize nean Partnership, in order for Lebanon to be among a general conference on green competitiveness the leading countries that preserve and maintain the in Lebanon that aims to raise awareness and cleanliness and the environment of the Mediterra- alert to the dangers of environmental pollution nean basin. resulting from industry ™™ The exchange of information, and planning of Ministry of Environment visits and tours for the concerned experts The Director General of the Ministry of Environ- ™™ The recommendation to take on IRI, and through ment Mr. Berj Hatjian has clarified the Ministry's it LCPC, as a good reference for the adoption of role in the preservation of the environment and the the Lebanese industrial enterprises wishing to sustainable environmental development. He point- join the green competitiveness programs ed out that the concept of green competitiveness is ™™ The nomination of a Lebanese enterprises based on the clean production strategy, and they are to participate in the contest of green adopting the best methods and techniques available competitiveness at the European level and win to achieve this goal. It is a revolutionary concept the distinction award in this field.

34 35 Pumping the Environmental Sciences at the Faculty of Agriculture: Cooperation between IRI, LCPC & Faculty of Ag- riculture at the Lebanese University

29 April 2010 for Cleaner Production, have held a meeting attended behavior, and it is a duty of the academic sector, He also mentioned the importance of the universi- The Industrial Research Institute did not stop the by a number of professors and students, during which in particular the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences ties and academic sector in the awareness and dis- expansion of cooperation at the local level to allow the cooperation agreement was signed between them. which inaugurated the Department of Environmen- semination of the cleaner production concepts. The conclusion of the Convention crowns the efforts scientific institutions, university faculties as well as IRI’s Director General, Dr. Bassam Frennn, talked tal Sciences, to make every effort to pump the best made for the benefit of environment and science in economic and industrial enterprises, to benefit from about the combined work and the recognized prior- available scientific techniques in the university cur- Lebanon, and builds a solid bridge between the en- its accumulated and developed experience. Institu- ity of environmental improvement which is the basis ricula, in the aim of graduating a generation with the vironment and the academic sector. tions aiming to achieve a broader degree of progress for a sustainable development for a prosperous and required qualifications that is able to face the envi- and be a pioneer in their field can take advantage of bright future, and the conviction that environmental ronmental risks and reach a true sustainable devel- Then Dr. Frenn and Dr. Hamieh signed a technical the Institute's laboratories which are growing in mo- improvement is a positive economic catalyst and not opment for the humans. cooperation agreement in the fields of scientific re- dernity year after year. In this regard, IRI concluded vice versa. The commitment to sustainable develop- The Director of the Lebanese Centre for Cleaner search and exchange of information and expertise. cooperation agreements with the Faculty of Agricul- ment increases the credibility and commitment of Production, Dr. Ali Yaacoub, talked about the impor- Finally, Dr. Yacoub and Dr. Hamieh signed the Coop- ture at the Lebanese University, and the Chamber of Lebanon and its respect for international protocols tance of disseminating the concepts and the imple- eration Agreement between the Faculty of Agricul- Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut, after that it has concluded regarding the environment such mentation of a cleaner production in the Lebanese ture and the Lebanese Centre for Cleaner Production a previous agreement with the Zahle Chamber. as Vienna Protocol, Montreal Protocol and others. University especifically the Faculty of Agriculture, related to the commitment for a sustainable environ- In the framework of this activity, the Faculty of Ag- The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the Leba- which has led through its implementation in the ment and economic growth. Then LCPC distributed riculture at the Lebanese University, and the Insti- nese University, Dr. Taysir Hamieh, stated that the industrial enterprises, to achieve annual savings of the academic book entitled "Half is Enough: An In- tute of Industrial Research - The Lebanese Center preservation of the environment is a base of human over a million dollars a year in industrial sectors. troduction to Cleaner Production" to all attendants.

36 37 Official Visits, Conferences, and Seminars Inside and3 Outside Lebanon

39 The Eurolab General IRI Joins Assembly meeting in Cyprus the International Committee for Non-Destructive Testing

June 10, 2010 On April 13, 2010 IRI Director General, Dr. Bas- The Lebanese Industrial Research Institute has re- sam Frenn, and Laboratories Division Head, Dr. Jo- ceived an international consensus that gave it the seph Matta attended the Eurolab General Assembly privilege to join the highest international organiza- meeting in Cyprus. EUROLAB is an international tion for Non-Destructive Testing. association, setting it as the European Federation of National Associations of Measurement, Testing and During his mission to the tenth conference for the Analytical Laboratories. European Federation for Non-Destructive Testing in Moscow, the Director General of the Industrial During this meeting, IRI was voted unanimously Research Institute Dr. Bassam Frenn, accompanied to be named an International Affiliate of Eurolab. by the Lebanese Welding Center Division Head, Knowing that very few countries are International Mr. Tarek Hakim, received a certificate by the In- Affiliates, represented by IRI, Lebanon is the only Dr. Frenn Receiving IRI's Membership Certificate ternational Committee for Non-Destructive Test- Middle Eastern country to join Eurolab. ing (ICNDT) general assembly welcoming IRI as a Dr. Frenn informed the Minister of Industry, H.E. Dr. Frenn presented IRI’s role, activities, resources, member of ICNDT. Welding processes for metallic Mr. Abraham Dedeyan about this accomplishment, accreditation, especially its flexible accreditation, structures, buildings, and tanks are subject to these emphasizing that having an international presence which were the driving forces for choosing IRI. non-destructive tests in order to expose any faults. in the field of technology transfer and acquiring of The advantages of joining such a prestigious asso- the advanced scientific expertise is an integral part ciation include: of IRI’s development policy. ™™ Action by providing adequate means for H.E. Mr. Dedehyan expressed his backing for these exchange of information and experience, objectives, pledging his support for IRI, its activities ™ A major multi-sectorial forum for laboratory ™ as well as its future plans, while stressing the impor- and conformity assessment services, tance of adopting international standards to ensure ™™ Promotion of cost-effective testing, calibration, public safety by avoiding the dangers that can result and measurement services adjusted to actual needs. from poor welding. The Director General of the Industrial Research In- stitute insisted that the acquired expertise will not Dr. Frenn and the Eurolab President, Mr. Laurent remain among IRI engineers and assured its dissem- ination through specialized training sessions to be organized by the Lebanese Welding Center, a very important center in IRI.

40 41 IRI participates in the 7th Sitting of HQE Association in Avignon A Visit to France to study specialized measurements: Special Certificates for green buildings

TThe Industrial Research Institute does not limit the address the problem; the government is committed expansion of its environmental interest to the coop- to a 12% reduction of greenhouse gas production by erations with national or global institutions, but goes the year 2020. Meanwhile enormous efforts must be beyond that to international “climates” which knowl- devoted to achieve such a goal, especially in the ab- edge and science overstep what was known. sence of any reliable means for monitoring and data analysis, even though the emissions of Lebanon do In this frame, the Director General of the Industrial not have a real effect on the aggregate global data. The Schneider Building which is awarded the HQE Certificate Research Institute Dr. Bassam Frenn participated in the 7th Sitting of HQE Association entitled "Land- In all cases, we initiated several actions at IRI and scape and build: The revolution!" organized in Avi- taken measures to promote sustainable develop- In April the Director of Technology and Develop- The visit included a number of institutions, among them: gnon - France, mid December 2010. ment, focusing on opportunities to use renewable ment at the Industrial Research Institute, Dr. Imad the CSTB and Certivéa which specializes in buildings of available energies". Dr. Frenn delivered his speech during the opening Hajj Chehade, and the Head of the Department of services characteristics, and QUALITEL specialized in ceremony, focusing on his future vision in this field He continued: "Our future vision in this field is to Specifications, Standards and Certification, Engi- residential buildings, in order to discuss the Lebanese sys- and highlighting the projects and actions undertaken provide our customers and partners with complete neer Antoine Faycal, made a field visit to the Cen- tem of evaluation and the extent of its conformity with the by the IRI team to achieve sustainable development. solutions, ranging from simple tests on materials ter of Scientific Techniques for Buildings (CSTB), international regulations. The visit had a significant im- He stated "benefiting from the available opportuni- and products, inspection and certification, to man- with which the Institute had signed an agreement pact on the Lebanese rating system of evaluation, done by ties is our goal, and letting the future generations in- agement through sustainable development. In this of cooperation regarding the issuance of certifi- IRI. A visit was also organized to the Schneider building herit the best life conditions is our duty. It is for these scheme, we consider our national and international cates for green buildings, based on calibration op- in the suburbs of Paris, which has an HQE certification, reasons that we were the first in Lebanon to introduce partners as our assets to overcome the challenges erations related to certain measurements (rating and is considered to be a typical model in terms of green the concepts of sustainable development in 1999. we face in Lebanon. This vision does not stop at the system). building and its management techniques. Since then, through the considerable efforts we have Lebanese borders, but seeks to spread throughout made, Lebanese politicians are beginning to seriously the Middle East, and why not beyond that?"

42 43 The 11th meeting of the Coordination Committee for In- The ninth meeting of the dustrial Research Centers Euro - Mediterranean in the Arab Countries Working Group Specialized 12-13 December 2010 – Suggest a clear annual work program which in standards, technical regula- the members of the committee participate IRI participated in the 11th meeting of the Committee in its elaboration, and request the orga- tions and conformity assessment of Coordination for the Industrial Research Centers nization to follow-up its implementation and Institutions in the Arab States in Amman-Hash- with the committee members. emite Kingdom of Jordan, through an invitation by ™™ Design and develop a questionnaire to monitor the Arab Industrial Development and Mining Orga- the realities of the centers and institutions of nization AIDMO, in the presence of the following: industrial research in Arab countries under the Industrial Research Center – Great Jamahiriya, Indus- auspices and supervision of AIDMO trial Research and Consultancy Center – Republic of ™™ The centers and institutions of industrial Sudan, King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Tech- research, members of the Committee shall notify nology – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Public Authority AIDMO of the events (such as: conferences, The Technology and Development Director at IRI, agreement has been in the hands of the prime for Industry – State of Kuwait, National Centre for seminars, workshops...), which they intend to implement with a view to make them known to Dr. Imad Hajj Chehade participated in the ninth minister for months, but some related activities Scientific and Technical Research – Kingdom of Mo- rocco, Industrial Testing and Research Center – Syr- the concerned Arab parties to participate in meeting of the Euro - Mediterranean Working have been completed including: the adoption of ian Arab Republic, Ministry of Energy and Industry ™ Working to provide some successful experiments Group specialized in standards, technical regula- ™ European specifications related to the three fields – State of Qatar, Ministry of Industry and Minerals and their applications that were displayed at the tions and conformity assessment, which was held approved in the Committee of ACAAs, namely: – Iraq Republic, Iraqi Fund for Sponsoring Scientific center of the Arab strategy for scientific and in Brussels on 12 July, 2010 to evaluate what has building materials (CMD), compressed contain- Research – State of Qatar, Gulf Organization for In- technical research and innovation, including: been attained by the States participating in the Ac- ers (PED), and light frequency (LVD). dustrial Consulting – State of Qatar, Higher Council – The Qatar Fund for National Research tion Plan that aims to create a free trade zone. for Science and Technology – Hashemite Kingdom Sponsorship Draft laws have been prepared related to Metrol- of Jordan, Royal Scientific Association – Hashemite The Chairman of the meeting, Mrs. Sofia Mendez – The Counseling and Industrial Research ogy and conformity assessment. Kingdom of Jordan. Albaran, praised the efforts made by the participat- Center in the Republic of Sudan ing countries regarding the implementation of the The Chairman of the meeting has encouraged the The Committee discussed its agenda and came up – The National Authority for Scientific Re- Action Plan, noting that there is significant coop- participating countries to intensify efforts, where with the following recommendations: search in Great Jamahiriya eration between the countries in terms of progress the European Union will remain ready to com- ™™ The mechanisms of activating the work of the These bodies shall send their previous experi- Committee of Coordination are: ences to AIDMO to circulate them to Com- for this Action Plan. plete the technical assistance. The tenth meet- – Create a networking site in AIDMO be- mission members. As for Lebanon, Dr. Chehade said that the action ing was decided to be held in the last quarter of tween the Centers and Institutions of In- ™™ Hosted by the National Centre for Scientific and plan achieved by the Commission of the ACAAs 2011. dustrial Research in the Arab States on Technical Research, at the Kingdom of Morocco, one hand, and between each one of them it was decided to hold the Twelfth Meeting of the and the industrial enterprises on the other Committee of Coordination for the Industrial hand, to increase the effectiveness of cor- Research Centers and Institutions in the Arab porate strategy States, in Rabat in 2011.

44 45 IRI defines the concepts of welding Recycling & reclamation Annual General Assembly of IIW workshop for ozone-depleting The head of the Lebanese Welding Center at IRI, stitute of Welding where they presented the latest refrigerant gases Engineer Tarek El-Hakim, participated in the An- welding technologies and their applications, in nual General Assembly of the International Institute particular the non-destructive tests and the recent In the framework of the setup of a recycling and rec- of Welding (IIW) held in Istanbul – Turkey from 10 world specifications in this field. He also partici- lamation program for ozone-depleting refrigerant to 18 July, 2010 in the presence of representatives pated, on the sidelines in the General Assembly of gases at the Industrial Research Institute, two IRI from most of the states acceding to IIW. the International Conference where they displayed employees were invited by the French Development Mr. El-Hakim participated in the activities of func- the latest tests and applications related to welding, Agency in cooperation with the Ministry of Environ- tional commissions related to the International In- as well as exchanged experiences in this field. ment to attend a workshop in Düsseldorf, Germany. Mr Halim El-Bayeh and Sheikh Talal Zaki traveled on December 19, 2010 to attend the workshop orga- nized by the international expert Mr. Rolf Rühren. 10th mechanical week

The workshop featured theoretical training on the various aspects of a refrigerant recycling program, safe refrigerant handling, and different equipment used in the framework of such a scheme. The pro- gram also included a visit for the RCN recycling plant in the city of Goch which undertakes cleanup operations for refrigerant gases in preparation for further breakdown in another facility. The visit pro- vided the opportunity to discuss various aspects re- lated to the safe transport and disposal of refrigerant On the local level, Engineer Tarek El-Hakim par- the extent of benefit from the Institute’s expertise in waste. ticipated as a lecturer on the third day of the “Tenth the field of welding, the Institute being a member Mechanical Week” activities which was organized of the International Institute of Welding (IIW) and by the branch of Mechanical Engineers at the Engi- of the International Committee for Non-Destructive neers Syndicate of Beirut end of October through Testing. first November 2010, where he gave a lecture enti- He reminded the attendance of the decree law num- tled "Welding: testing and certification”, as he intro- ber 423 dated 06/06/2002 which nominates the In- duced to the audience the potential available in the dustrial Research Institute as the adopted donor, Institute, which is designed to meet the needs of all empowered to issue certificates of conformity in dif- sectors, especially those related to industrialists, and ferent types of welding in Lebanon.

46 47 Technology Has Become the First Need of this Era Workshop for Knowledge-Based Industries

20-21 April 2010 Speech by IRI’s Director General, If the world crisis has reduced the expenditure on ments, but also working to attract the Arab innovative Dr. Bassam Frenn The Industrial Research Institute continually af- the industry laboratories in many states, China has brains abroad." In his speech, Dr. Bassam Frenn stated the following: firms its presence in the scientific field through the offset the global downturn by giving 582,000 inven- Needless to say that the human transition from the He considered, "that the significant objectives of this tion patents in 2009, while the United States did not specialized forums, seminars and workshops that industrial era which required physical labor to the era workshop and its axes must take into consideration exceed 190,000. A quarter of the Chinese patents it organizes for the production sectors in order to of knowledge-based industries, which relies on intel- the importance of bringing back theses minds to their is given for new innovations, while the remaining contribute to their future development. It focuses lectual effort, has become the 21st century’s theme, mother land and prepare comfortable work atmo- three quarters are renewals and improvements for on scientific progress and innovations to improve seeing the vast prospects of those industries, their di- spheres for them, and guarantee them complete free- versity, and their penetration to the thought percep- old patents. The private sector has participated by industrial production, protect consumers, preserve dom for their scientific aspirations. 52.5 percent out of the total Chinese innovation pat- tions and scientific forecast potential. Speech by Mohammad El-Chaouch the environment, achieve sustainable development, ents. The weight of the whole Middle East region As global "intellect" accelerates in innovating and serve society’s development and improve its rev- The Assistant Director-General of the Arab Indus- competes in its diversity to achieve the most recent does not exceed 1.7 percent in terms of global scien- enues. During 2010, IRI contributed particularly in trial Development and Mining Organization, Mr. innovations, this cannot be realized nationally without tific publications, and one percent in the European Mohamed Chaouch, spoke about the competitive ad- workshops that address the development of knowl- support for the public and private sectors to pave the patents request, where the future investments in it vantages that no longer depend - as they used to in edge-based industries, the importance of technology, way for innovative scientific minds. For this reason, did not exceed 10 million Euros ($ 14 million). the past – on traditional factors of production such and the promotion of green competitiveness. they allotted their international laboratories’ techni- He pointed out that the invitation’s introduction to cal and financial capabilities, and have provided for as capital, work, land and location. On the contrary, this workshop has stated the growing demand for In this frame, IRI in coordination with the Arab In- them the capable human minds. The main concern of the scientific knowledge factor has become the main- knowledge and information technology as an in- dustrial Development and Mining Organization or- these laboratories was to take the international lead, stay in the production system, and its contribution has evitable agent for integration in the new system of ganized the national workshop on Knowledge-Based not only in terms of the innovations they are offering, reached 70 percent of the estimated added-value in the economy, "and this increasing demand in the region Industries. Among the participating counties were but in terms of the quality and relevance of these in- products of the industrialized countries, and based on is based on the importing and use of knowledge tech- Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, novations. statistical data, the volume of expenditure of the Eu- nologies, while looming in the horizon a predisposi- Dr. Frenn added, these laboratories – that account for ropean Community on research and development in UAE, Morocco, Algeria, Iraq and the Sultanate of tion to configure scientific metropolis that adopt the less than 3 percent of the states’ budget in the devel- 2007 has reached approximately 229 billion dollars, Oman, as well as representatives from the Lebanese knowledge sciences and their economical diversity oped countries as well as in emerging ones, such as representing the proportion of 1.85 percent of the Eu- Ministry of Industry, IRI, and ESCWA. This work- in industry and other fields. But what these Arabian China, India, Russia and others – constitute the oases ropean GDP (Eurostat 2007). According to the same metropolis are lacking is not only the funding which shop was under the auspices of the Minister of In- of Knowledge-Based Industries. sources, about 40 percent of European enterprises are dustry, Mr. Abraham Dedeyan. is the underlying motivation for innovation achieve- active in the field of inventing.

48 49 Establishing a database of the Lebanese industry

From the left: Mr. Faisal Hassan Issa, Mr. Mohammad El-Chaouch, Dr. Bassam Frenn, and Dr. Abed Al Sater Taii

Speech by Eng Abraham Dedeyan The Minister of Industry Mr. Abraham Dedeyan considered ™™ Networking with each other and link with that discussing the issue of Knowledge-Based Industries, specialized organizations such as the Arab Industrial Development and Mining Organization, refers to the importance of interaction and coordination of the Scientific Research Councils Union, and the joint efforts in order to achieve a qualitative leap in study- ESCWA Technological Center to be established in ing the needs of the Arab, European and world markets, Jordan and developing the capacities to meet these needs, while ™™ Support the establishing of centers for technology preparing the research institutions and research centers to transfer and business incubators and private offices Mr. George Khoury and Mr. Mohammad El-Chaouch during the seminar raise their ability to face challenges, pointing out that in- for marketing the output of scientific research novation and development are the primary pillars in the through intellectual property protection and new registration for Innovation Patents and marketing future of knowledge-based industries. Technology has The Industrial Research Institute hosted a seminar representative of the Islamic Development Bank, Mr. become the first era’s need, and a primordial key toim- ™™ Intensification of training sessions to improve on the development of the industrial information Hilal Hussein, as well as representatives of various prove competencies and apply skills. He explained that the creativity and marketing skills for researchers, with a focus on deepening the culture of continuing sector, entitled: "The latest information technology Arab countries. Ministry of Industry’s policy is based on strengthening the education and its effects on the development of Arab indus- applied and research functions of the Industrial Research Mr. Khoury announced that the ministry is preparing ™™ Support the production of computer software Institute, and at the level of making it a natural incubator trial products". applications using the Arabic language a survey to establish an industrial database built on for improving the enabling environments and encouraging ™™ Encourage the relevant bodies and organizations The Seminar was organized by the Arab Industrial the updated data collected about the industrial reality projects for the industrial and innovative initiatives and concerned with supporting industry and commerce, Development and Mining Organization (AIDMO) and its contribution rate in the GDP and the job op- contributions. He stressed that this role should contribute as well as business associations, in order to create greatly in securing the industrial progress required to estab- Arabic alliances interface with the support of the in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry. portunities it provides. local investment promotion agencies, which aim to lish the economic and social stability that we are striving Among those attending were the deputy Minister Mr. Khoury stated in his speech that "this seminar is to achieve on a strong and solid basis. He declared to put increase the size of the investment-projects share in knowledge-based industries with added quality of Industry, and head of Economic Studies and In- an essential step in the process of Arab economic in- the status of priority in the development of small and me- ™ Urge the Arab governments to support infrastructure dustrial Development in the Ministry, Mr. George dium enterprises, particularly in technology industries, and ™ tegration, designed to support scientific cooperation for the creation and development of knowledge to help the industrialists who wish to expand their business Khoury, the Assistant Director General of AID- between the Arab countries in the development of the industries in its areas of excellence and improve their products in order to meet the interna- MO, Mr. Mohamed El-Chaouch, representing the industrial information sector, and to get to know the ™™ Encourage Arab governments to establish national tional standards and specifications. monitors for sciences, technology and innovation in Director General Mr. Mohammed Bin Yousef, the reality of industrial information within it." After the discussion it was agreed on the following recom- the Arab countries that adopt international standards mendations: To urge universities, Arab research centers in statistics, indicators, and outputs and the training and scientific cities on the following: of the necessary personnel to manage it. "

50 51 The Joint Commission for Work Development held at IRI A Lebanese - Syrian Agreement to up- date the lists ofexchanged commodi- ties And to adopt the standards and decrease customs impediments

Based on the Mutual Recognition Agreement be- the Center for Documentation and Publications, En- justify it in a clear way, in case of absence of tween Lebanon and Syria on Conformity Certifi- gineer Siham Youssef, Public Relations Officer, Mrs. national references, and seeing the evolution of the specification for the concerned commodity in cates, which was signed on February 02, 2000, and Nancy Maalouf. number of approved specifications and its growing the country of import in coordination with the General Secretariat of the in both countries; it was agreed to exchange a list of Lebanese Institution for Standards Syrian - Lebanese Supreme Council, the Commis- the currently available specifications for both sides ™™ The continuation to adopt the lists of goods and Acting Director-General, Engineer Lena Dergham. sion for Work Development within the process of in a detailed form. Therefore, each party has to in- materials (commodities) in accordance with granting Certificates of Conformity, held a meeting Lebanese Customs form the other one about the adopted specifications their sectoral classification at IRI headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon. First Controller, Mr. Imad saad, First Controller, Mr. successively in a direct contact and a follow-up of ™™ To re-confirm what was agreed upon in the Neemat El Brax. the interactive sites for each one of them. And it was previous meetings concerning the approved Representing the Syrian side were: decided to complete a list of the exchanged specifi- specifications of the items for which there are The meeting was attended by the General Secretariat Director-General of the Chemical Organization for cations every six months, and review the procedures no specifications by any party, so that to adopt of the Syrian-Lebanese Supreme Council, in the per- Standardization and Metrology, Mr. Wafik Jerdi, for the harmonization of these standards. international, regional, Arab or local available son of Mr. Samih Joumaah. Director of the Quality Department at the Chemi- standards. However if a specification of the The two parties studied the obstacles preventing the cal Organization, Mrs. Diaa Massaad, Public Rela- The Committee first discussed the updating of the commodity was available at one party without implementation of the convention on mutual recog- tions Responsible in the Organization, Mr. Khaled list of commodities exchanged between the two the other, it will be adopted by both parties. nition of the conformity certificates signed by both al-Khatib. countries, given the changing patterns of exchanged countries on 02/10/2000 optimally. It was agreed on It was agreed to exchange copies of the Certifi- goods as well as their quantities and regulations, and Representing the Lebanese side were: the recommendation of the General Secretariat of cates of Conformity granted to the commodities ex- the occurance of new related updates. It was agreed Industrial Research Institute the Syrian-Lebanese Supreme Council, to address changed between both countries, and this between on the need to update the list of exchanged goods. Director General, Dr. Bassam Frenn, Administrative the concerned authorities in Syria in order to apply the Syrian Organization of Specifications and Stan- Both customs authorities were asked to provide to the and Financial Director, Mr. Sélim Kfoury, Assistant all the provisions of the convention regarding the dards, and the Lebanese Industrial Research Insti- Syrian-Lebanese Supreme Council a list of the ex- Director General for Relations with Public Admin- materials holders of Import Approvals, including tute, respectively. changed goods during 2009 and 2010, so they can be istrations, Engineer Maroun Saikaly, Development those covered by the Control Program on Imports, The two sides have discussed the technical experi- and Technology Director, Dr Imad El-Hage Che- circulated to the stakeholders concerned in the meet- in order not to repeat the laboratory tests on them ment results obtained from the application of the hade, Applied Research and Testing Director, Ms. ing, in order to work on its development through the at the border ports in case they hold a conformity Control Programs on Imports, as well as the results Nadia Khoury, Standards, Metrology and Certifica- specifications’ harmonization of the most exchanged certificate. commodities according to their priorities. of the Lebanese experience with the international tion Division Head, Engineer Antoine Fayçal, Test- To review the measures implemented in the granting control companies. ing and Engineering Consultancy Division Head, Since both the Syrian Organization for Specifications of certificates and verification, it was agreed, on the Engineer Elias Dib, Head of Laboratories, Dr. Jo- and Standards and the Lebanese Institution for Stan- following: It was decided to hold the next meeting of the Com- seph Matta, Coordinator of European and Interna- dards and Specifications derive the specifications of ™™ The necessity to show the adopted standard in mission at the headquarters of the Syrian Organiza- tional Programs, Mr. Naji Abi Zeid, Unit Head for goods that they adopt, from almost the same inter- the body of the Certificate of Conformity, and tion for Specifications and Standards in Damascus.

52 53 The Environment: Principles and Solutions

Mr. Rahal: the critical po- litical reality hampers many projects for us 19 Octobr 2010 The Lebanese Minister of Environment, Mr. Mo- hammad Rahal, confirmed the country's need for breakers and sanders, but not in the way it works currently. He pointed out that the mandatory decree of environmental assessment is supported in all world countries except Lebanon. Noting here that he raised the subject at the Council of Ministers’ meeting, which coincided with heated political top- ics, hence adjourned, and the file was dragged from deliberation and is still delayed because of the cur- students to get involved, stressing that awareness is ment and the respect of the signed agreements". a solution to half of the problem, "if awareness ex- rent political situation. The Minister said that the is- The President of the Lebanese Industrialist Associa- ists, it is easy to complete the rest." sue of the environment is not a luxury but a problem tion, Mr. Nemat Frem, launched an environmental of real losses, and any solution requires cooperation The Dean of the Faculty of Science at the Universi- appeal under the existing administrative paralysis, and assistance, whether from the state institutions, ty, Mr. Naim Oweini stated that "protecting the envi- pointing out that with the immobilized public proj- civil society or international communities. ronment is necessary and vital, and people organize ects reality, a large part of the solution may be avail- meetings in this regard worldwide, which proves its Mr. Rahal opened "The Environment: Principles Mr. Sélim Kfoury giving a speech able if we release the private sector. He requested and solutions" conference, which was organized by importance". He also talked about the environmen- permission to generate clean electricity and link it to "First Protocol" company in collaboration with Bank tal project launched by the University Rector, Father the network and sell it to the industrialists particu- Audi and the Faculty of Science at the Holy Spirit sies of: France, Mrs. Marie Maamari; Jordan, Mrs. Hadi Mahfouz, in July 2010, entitled "Towards a larly, and to the consumers generally, according to University - Kaslik, at the premises of the univer- Nysreen Kassous; Kuwait, Mr. Fahd Massoud; and Green University for a sustainable future, a sustain- the favorable economic feasibility of such projects. Indonesia, Mr. Ahmed Cioviann, and representatives able carbon-free University", which is "the first of sity’s faculty building. The conference was attended The President of the Federation of Chambers, Mr. of the Security Forces and Ministries of Environment its kind in the region." by the President of the Economic and Social Coun- Mohammad Choucair, has explained the reasons be- and Health, and environmental associations. cil, Mr. Roger Nisnas, the President of the Lebanese The Administrative and Financial Director of IRI Mr. hind the concerns of the economic bodies about the Businessmen Association, Mr. Camille Menassa, the The Director General of First Protocol, Mr. Maroun Sélim Kfoury, representing the Director General of environment "which is related to daily life aspects", President of the Insurance Companies Asociation, Balaa, pointed the conference’s two primordial aims: the Institute, Dr. Bassam Frenn, spoke about the "the considering that the good exploitation of industries Mr. Abraham Matossian, and the Danish Ambassa- First, to bridge the distance of work and methodol- organic link between industry and environment," and eco-friendly products will enhance their contri- dor, Yantope Christensen, representing the Minister ogy between public institutions and the private sec- considering that "the commitment of the Lebanese bution to improve the economy and create new jobs of Energy and Water, Mr. Gabi Gebrael, Director tor, and second, to urge the young generation to give Cleaner Production Centre and its close cooperation opportunities”. And since the chambers of com- General of Water and Electric Resources, Mr. Fadi their opinion regarding the environmental issues that with the Ministry of Environment since 2004, is an merce form a link between the private and the public Comair as well as representatives from the embas- determine their own future, calling onto university evidence of the link between Industry and Environ- sectors, he called both sectors to take measures that

54 55 Webinar on: Food Safety Management contribute to the promotion of environmental aware- rial course in the education curricula. To develop 22000 (AFNOR) ness and help in finding environmental industry that an overall strategy for the exploitation of natural re- promotes the economic growth. sources in the production of electrical energy such 27 May 2010 as water, sun and air to limit the use of energy-pro- Collective responsibility IRI participated in a webinar, (online seminar) pre- ducing fossil fuels (oil and gas products). In his speech, Mr. Rahal brought up the issue of "the sented by “AFNOR”, about the new Food Safety political stability factor which contributes to acceler- It is also recommended to necessitate research on Management Standard FS 22000 (FSSC: Food Safe- ate the wheel of production and pass the decrees that each new product in order to monitor the size of the ty management System for Certification). environmental damages resulting from its produc- do activate and develop the environmental reality," FS 22000 differs slightly from ISO 22000:2005 tion and limit them, and the adoption of recycling he also said: "Today we are witnessing a critical po- (Food Safety Management System requirements litical reality which hampers many projects for us". waste for the production of clean industries, which for any organization in the food chain); while the He stressed on the role of the civil society and the provides a cost-effective multiplier on the output ISO standard applies to all organizations in the food private sector in supporting the projects belonging of factories and companies. The recommendations chain, from the farm to the food packaging produc- to the Ministry of Environment because the budget focused on the role of the partnership between the er, FS 22000 applies only to food manufacturers and has not been yet ratified. And even if this is done, private and public sectors and NGOs in the field of this is a role for civilian institutions and the private sustainable development in order to reach a clean is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative sector, and everyone should assume their responsi- environment for the benefit of the future genera- (GFSI). PAS 220:2008 is a document that was developed by bilities, where it is not only a matter of accusing and tions, and the regain of balanced growth to improve GFSI was launched in May 2000; it provides con- BSI; it supports management systems designed to blaming others". And he recalled the projects carried the environment. To involve the civil society and vergence between Food Safety Standards and estab- meet the requirements for Prerequisite Programs out by the ministry in cooperation with municipali- private and public institutions in environmental lishes a benchmarking process for the different Food ties where they have planted trees in about 3 million projects (afforestation, recycling...), and the protec- (PRP) specified in ISO 22000 and applies to all who Safety Management Systems, to ensure confidence square meters of land. tion of green areas, and the afforestation of the rest are involved in the manufacturing step of the food through the establishment of public parks and nature in the delivery of safe food to consumers. chain. He pointed out that studies indicate the extinction of reserves. The GFSI benchmarks, besides FS 22000, four food nearly 1/5 of plant types as a result of climate change Based on PAS 220, ISO has published a technical in addition to its implications on snowfall quantities It hoped the establishment of industrial cities friend- safety schemes: BRC (British Retail Consortium), specification ISO/TS 22002-1:2009 (PRP on Food and skiing seasons in Lebanon. ly to the environment in villages and rural areas in IFS (International Food Safety), Dutch HACCP Safety, Part 1 – food manufacturing) to assist compa- order to reduce the migration of labor, process in- (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) and nies in designing and implementing PRPs. The Recommendations: Enhancing the environment frastructure, and take care of the urban organization SQF (Safe Quality Food institute), that are accepted and suppressing infractions The FS 22000 certificate is valid for 3 years. Note reality, and that the banks give facilitating loans to by major food retailers such as Carrefour and Wal- The recommendations issued by the conference in- that certification audits focus on both ISO 22000 and help citizens to invest in environmental projects. Mart. cluded: the promulgation of environmental aware- PAS 220 requirements and the selection of the audi- ness among students and young people, ranging from It said to establish the environmental control pro- The FS 22000 scheme requirements are made up of tors will be done according to ISO/TS 22003:2007 primary education stages until university level, and gram for the suppression of irregularities and the the ISO 22000:2005 standard and the PAS 220:2008 (Food Safety Management System requirements for the inclusion of the environmental education mate- emphasis on sanctions against violators. (Publicly Available Specification). bodies providing audits and certification of FSMS).

56 57 Training4 Sessions

59 Scientific Training Training session for specialists from the Kurdistan Region- al Government - Iraq

The Metrology Laboratory at the Industrial Research Institute has conducted a training session between the 20 and 23 of December 2010 which addressed the following topics:

A trainee receiving her certificate from Dr. Matta ™™ Methods of scales calibration ™™ Methods of blocks calibration Management, analytical train- The training courses began with scientific sessions ™™ Measurement of uncertainty ing and technical requirements of lectures in the field of analytical testing, the Qual- The session was attended by engineers from the for the competence of testing ity Management System, the implementation of ISO Central Laboratory and the Quality Control Labora- The Department of Applied Research and Testing 17025. Case studies and good laboratory practices tories of the Ministry of Planning in the local gov- were also discussed. at the Industrial Research Institute offered training ernment of the Kurdistan county of Iraq. courses on: In the practical testing part, the trainees then headed The session included scientific lectures on quality to the laboratories to perform the necessary tests ac- ™™ Management and technical requirements for management system and the ways of applying the cording to the International Reference Methods. The the competence of testing including method system of ISO 17025. While in the applied part the trainees were divided into two groups, chemical and validation and uncertainty of measurement trainees have made a calibration of some blocks and microbiological, for more specialized training. ™™ Microbiological Training for cosmetic products, scales in accordance with the international standard The participants recieving their certificates detergent and baby diapers Gap Analysis specifications. The Department of Applied Research and Testing at ™™ Analytical training including standardization, the Industrial Research Institute performed gap anal- At the end of the session, the participants expressed gravimetric, titrimetric and instrumental ysis as per ISO 17025:2005 at the Chambers of Com- their desire to join other courses related to calibra- techniques for cosmetic products, detergent and merce, Industry and Agriculture of Zahle, Saida, as tion, or other activities undertaken by the Institute. baby diapers well as the Microbiology Laboratory in LARI Fanar. Attending these courses were chemists and micro- The objective was to identify the needs towards ISO biologists from the Central Laboratory and Quality 17025 accreditation of the analytical laboratories, Control Laboratories - Ministry of Planning, Kurd- through conducting a gap analysis which is done in istan Regional Government, Iraq. comparison with ISO requirements.

60 61 IRI, ESCWA & LSES organized Training courses for the manufacture of water heaters on solar energy Training session in the field of: non-destructive testing in industrial radiography - Sudan

As an update for the joint agreement - between the Engineer Jean-Paul Sfeir has prepared on the fourth Industrial Research Institute on one hand, and the and fifth day, a sample of the solar heater mirrors, Mr. Khodr Fawaz has participated - from the Leba- Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia as well as their assemblage and installation process with the participants, and has explained to them the nese Center for Welding at the Industrial Research (ESCWA) and the Lebanese Association for Solar Energy (LSES) on the other hand - which purpose stages of manufacturing in order to obtain mirrors Institute - to the training course in the field of non- is to organize six training courses related to the with their ready test method. destructive testing in the industrial radiography - manufacture of water heaters on solar energy for a The first extended session has welcomed 14 partici- first level, which was held in the Sudan’s capital El- three-year-period starting from 2009, the Institute pants and the second limited session, 17 participants Khartoum, from April 24 to 29, 2010, in cooperation has therefore organized two new training courses in who were divided between the industry, education with the Arab Atomic Energy Agency and the Sudan 2010: the first was for three days long and included and private sectors, with a remarkable participation Atomic Energy Commission. They participated in the how to make the device and install it in theo- of the Lebanese Army, which assigned five soldiers the session experts from various Arab countries as retical and applied methods, given by the Lebanese for the two sessions, noting the continuous coopera- Association for Solar Energy, and another five-day- Sudan, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, tion between the Institute and the Lebanese Army course that included the content of the first course in Command. Tunisia and Libya. addition to a training in copper welding, given by the It should be noted that Mr. Fawaz occupied the sec- Lebanese Center for Welding at the Institute. Establishing a lab for checking the mirrors of solar water heaters ond rank in the final exam order done at the end of The session program included a theoretical and prac- Mr. Fawaz recieving his certificate as second place winner The Institute is currently collaborating with the Leb- the session, and he briefed also on the latest welding tical training, where the President of the Training Unit anese Center for Energy Conservation, to prepare a technology and its application, particularly the non- in the Lebanese Center for Welding Mr. Taher Wehbe laboratory for solar mirrors’ checking which is con- destructive tests on welding. has given, on the first day, a comprehensive theoreti- cal training on all methods of welding in general, and sidered to be the first of its kind in Lebanon, after focused his lecture in particular on the welding of the it received a donation from the Greek Government impurities that may result from mis-welding. to equip the laboratories with the latest modern test And on the second day, Mr. Tahir Wehbe has pre- devices. The Institute has supervised technically, pared samples related to copper welding, and has fo- in coordination with the Lebanese Center and the cused on giving the participants practical training on Greek Embassy, the offers submitted for the tender the welding operations related to solar heater. On the to provide the test equipment devices. The labora- third day, Mr. Nader Al Hajj Shehadeh has explained tory was officially opened on the 31st of March this how to calculate and manufacture the solar heater. current year.

62 63 International5 Accreditation

65 The Institute Seeks to broaden the scope of International Accreditation

Assessors from the German Accreditation Body Flexible Accreditation (DAkkS) carried out a surveillance visit at the Insti- It is important to note that the accreditation body tute in December 2010 in order to assess the accredi- confirms that the IRI laboratories are competent un- tation status granted to the institute since 2004 ac- der the terms of DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 to cording to the International Standard (ISO 17025): carry out the flexible accreditation. It is the highest During this revisit, the accreditation status was con- level of the accreditation. In fact, without prior in- firmed and ten new testing methods were covered formation and approval by DAP German accredita- (electrical and chemical methods). tion system for testing, the laboratory is permitted to The accreditation scope covers 307 testing methods use standard test methods or test methods equivalent in the microbiological, chemical and physico-chem- to them which are not included in the certificate. ical, wheat and grain as well as electrical fields. New analytical services Interaction with analyti- The Institute seeks on the short and long terms to New analytical methods at the Industrial Research cal organizations expand the current scope of accreditation and obtain Institute have been accredited by the German Our laboratories interact with various scientific in- an international accreditation in other fields as de- DAKKS accreditation body (Deutscher AKKradit- stitutes around the world in an interlaboratory or tailed in the following table: ierungs Services). proficiency testing activities as follows: These are in the fields of: ™™ Bread laboratory proficiency testing with Bipea Cofrac / France in flour ISO 5983 (1997) Animal Feeding stuff- Determination ™™ Chemical proficiency testing with FAPAS of nitrogen content and calculation of crude protein content – Kjeldahl Central Science Laboratory (CSL) / UK and method Swedac / Sweden - Food products Item / Field Activity / Test Standard ISO 7888 (1985) Water quality – Determination of ™™ Microbiology proficiency testing with Norsk -Compact Fluorescent Lamp Electrical tests ISO 17025 electrical conductivity Matanalyse / Norway in water and food. -Home Appliances -Visual-Audio device IT-me/CHI/02 (2009) Analysis of saturated, unsaturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids -Mass & Scales Metrology ISO 17025 ISO 6887-5 (2010) Microbiology of food and Animal -Cement Civil Engineering tests ISO 17025 feeding stuff – Preparation of test -Tiles samples, initial suspension and decimal dilutions for microbiological -Gas bottles Inspection and Auditing ISO 17020 examination - Part 5 : specific rules -Oil and Fuel Pipes for the preparation of milk and milk -Steam Boilers products

-All products Product Certification ISO Guide 65

-Welding and non-destructive testing Personnel Certification ISO 17024

66 67 6Fairs

69 IRI Participates in: Business Opportuni- ties in Lebanon VIII

Horeca 2010

For the eighth consecutive year, Lebanon Opportu- nities in collaboration with ELCIM has organized its annual event "Business Opportunities in Lebanon" on October 19-21 2010 at the Convention Center in Dbayeh. Company owners, Country's top manufacturers, business leaders, decision-makers, real estate de- velopers and brokers, public works contractors, investment bankers, investors, tax specialists have attended, as well as dozens of foreign investors and businesspeople. The Annual Hospitality and Food Event in the Re- A series of workshops were held, topics covered gion, the HORECA exhibition, was held at Biel, included finance, marketing, human resource man- April 27-30 2010. The Exhibition hosted thousands agement, industry, banking, hospitality and tourism, of visitors daily who have come to learn more about The Industrial Research Institute participated in the information technology, real estate, general trade, the exhibitors and to take part of the various events Project Lebanon exhibition in BIEL between the 1st and other. there. These events included the “Hospitality Salon and 4th of June 2010. The Institute had a special Culinaire”, “Table Setting Contest”, “Lebanese bar- wing at the exhibition in its Green Pavillion, where ELCIM organized a workshop on “Guerrilla Mar- tenders Competition”, “Atelier Gourmand”, “Oil IRI personnel distributed its various publications to keting” on October 20 2010 where Marketing and Contest”, “The Annual Hospitality Forum”, “Live the visitors, and displayed a film about the different promotion techniques for low-budget companies or Junior Chefs Competition”, and “Wine and bever- phases it has witnessed since its inception, up until those targeting niche markets were discussed. Two age pavilion”. it moved to its new headquarters in the Lebanese case studies from two different companies – Skyline University Campus in al-Hadath in 2004. design and Massada - were presented to share their ELCIM takes part in this exhibition every year business experience. where it meets its clients and introduces them to its Several of the Institute’s laboratory workers and ad- new service offerings. This year, the launching of ministrators were available in its wing at the exhi- Another workshop on “Business Process Re-engi- The Food Advisory Unit has been the major new bition, and briefed the participants on the services neering” was held on October 21 2010. The aim of service which many clients were interested in. provided by the Institute. this session was to identify the core processes of an organization, measuring evaluation to strategy and ELCIM experts were present every day to discuss designing to achieve dramatic improvements using the needs of the visitors and the possibility of poten- analytic and design techniques. tial cooperation.

70 71 Lebanese Center for Cleaner Production 7LCPC

73 LCPC Activities The year 2010 was fruitful; the LCPC achieved its More than 147 events were organized and imple- I. Awareness Raising Events target and was elected in the Executive Board of the mented by LCPC and targeted more than 2,406 RECP Global Network to represent the West Asia persons. The cumulative activities achieved by the among the Educational Sector countries, and in the Marrakech Process as repre- LCPC up till the end of 2010 along with the total Collaboration agreement between the LCPC & visit to the laboratories available at IRI. sentative of the Arab and West Asia countries, and number of participants are shown in the following Faculty of Sciences – Saint Joseph University, continued to undertake its 3 core activities: graphs: At the end of the visit, attendance certificates were February 2010 ™™ In Plant Demonstration distributed to the participants. ™™ Awareness Raising The LCPC Director, Dr. Ali Yaacoub, and the Dean of ™™ Training and Capacity Building. the Faculty of Sciences at the Saint Joseph University, Collaboration agreement between the LCPC & Dr. Toufic Rizk, signed a Joint Collaboration at the Faculty of Agriculture – Lebanese University – th April 2010 Number of participants in USJ premises on the 24 of February 2010. LCPC activities till end of 2010 LCPC activities till end of 2010 The LCPC Director, Dr. Ali Yaacoub, and the Dean Sessions to USJ and IUL Masters Students – February of the Faculty of Agriculture at the Lebanese Uni- 83

80 1400 and March 2010 versity, Dr. Tayssir Hamiyeh, signed a Joint Col- The LCPC Director held a series of training session laboration Agreement at the Faculty of Agriculture 70 1200 1,192 on CP methodology to the USJ and IUL students mas- premises on the 29th of April 2010.

60 1,029 tering in Industrial Technology on the February and 1000 March 2010. Session to Masters Students at Lebanese University 50 Faculty of Agriculture, May 2010 800 Iraqi Delegation in collaboration of the Islamic The LCPC Deputy Director, Eng. Hanan Khanafer 40 University of Lebanon (IUL) – April 2010 held a training session on CP methodology to master 600 30 30 The Iraqi’s Delegation from the University of Karbala students at the Lebanese University, Faculty of Ag- 28 25 th 400 in collaboration with the Islamic University of Leba- riculture on the 26 of May 2010. 20 non, visited the IRI & LCPC on the 13th of April 2010. Students were introduced to LCPC and environmen- 11 200 185 10 They were introduced to Cleaner Production concept tal protection and familiarized with the concept and and methodology. Their visit also included a guided methodology of CP. workshops training awareness site graduation training awareness workshops courses raising events visits of national courses training events CP experts 74 75 II. In-plant demonstrations

LCPC has collaborated with 31 SME’s in Lebanon distributed among several industrial sub-sectors. These sectors are:

™™ Dairy sector ™™ Agro-food canning sector ™™ Paper and cardboard sector ™™ Aluminum production sector Initial Seminar and site visits: Olive ™™ Ceramic production sector Oil Sector in Lebanon The Initial Seminar introduced the SME’s of the ol- ™™ Plastic production and recycling sector Dissemination Seminar for Textile CP implementation at UNIPAK: Paper ive oil sector in Lebanon to the concept and meth- ™™ Textile sector Sector and Others and Cardboard Sector odologies of CP and the purpose of the demonstra- ™™ Olive oil sector. The dissemination seminar for the Textile sector and LCPC developed and implemented new services inte- others was held at the IRI on the 9th of March 2010. tion project and took place in the IRI premises on grated with CP methodologies in one industry within The CP options implemented in each SME that par- th Wednesday 9 June 2010. previous sectors: Paper and Cardboard Sector. ticipated in the LCPC programmes have led to a to- During the seminar, In-plant demonstrations of the tal yearly savings of more than One Million USD. Textile sector and others were presented and rela- The LCPC screened and selected 6 companies from UNIPAK: Union Packaging Corporation tive manuals were distributed to the participants. 14 applicants to undertake the In-Plant demonstra- This company is implementing CP methodologies The manuals detailed the CP methodology and tech- tion programme: and is a part of the IPA programme including site vis- Yearly savings in us dollars niques in general and their application at the Textile ™™ Company Boulos for Industry and Trade its. The first site visit took place on 19th November SME’s in particular. In addition they summarized ™™ Said Saifan Foundation 2010. 1,200,000 the successful stories of the SME’s that participated ™™ Presses Sheikh Sleiman El Daher 1,028,251 ™™ Agricultural Cooperative Association 1,000,000 with the LCPC, shedding the light on the savings they achieved in energy, water and other raw materi- in Rashaya El Foukhar 800,000 als consumption. ™™ Badawee Olive Oil ™™ Presses Modern El Rashid. 600,000 During the ceremony, certificates were distributed to 4 SME’s from the textile sector and 2 SME’s from After the selection of SME’s, LCPC team and CP as- 400,000 sessors undertaked site visits to collect primary data 274,264 the Agro-food sectors that applied the CP concept 252,342 217,000 and sign the binding contract between LCPC and 200,000 182,772 in their industries as well as to five CP experts that

49,600 52,273 have participated in latest In-plant demonstration or- each of the selected SME’s. These site visits took nd rd ganized by the LCPC. place on 22 – 23 of July 2010. dairy Agro- card- plastic textile other total food board

76 77 III. Training & Capacity-Building

Environmental Management System: ISO 14001:2004 – April 2010 forward in the process of the establishment of the Capacity Building Seminar on: The LCPC and 3A Solutions s.a.r.l organized semi- National Cleaner Production Centre (UAE-NCPC), Minimization Opportunities Envi- ronmental Diagnosis – MOED – nar on: Environmental Management System: ISO each one for two days. September 2010 14001:2004, which took place on Friaday 16th of This activity has been targeting industrial, environ- The workshops took place during the period from the The LCPC in collaboration with RAC/CP in Spain April 2010 at the Industrial Research Institute – IRI, rd th mental and financial stakeholders; namely decision- 3 till the 6 of May 2010 at Dubai, UAE. and for the Promotion of Green Competitiveness, a to introduce the ISO 14000 series, environmental makers in industrial establishments, consultants, na- capacity building seminar on: “Minimization Op- auditing, environmental labelling, environmental At the end of the workshops, LCPC and UNEP pre- tional experts, in addition to academic and research portunities environmental Diagnosis – MOED” was performance evaluation, and life cycle assessment. pared a recommendation paper and submitted it to the institutions. The purpose is to build up skills not only organized and presented by Dr. Mohamed Ezzine, These International standards are voluntary stan- Minister of Environment and Water H.E. Dr. Rached in cleaner production but also in allied fields. International Consultant. dards for the establishment of a common worldwide Ahmad Bin Fahed, presenting a road map to final- The Seminar was held on the 23rd of September 2010 Balamand University students – approach to management systems that will lead to the ize the major steps towards the establishment of the March 2010 at the Industrial Research Institute premises. protection of the earth's environment while spurring UAE-NCPC. Balamand University Students, Faculty of Public international trade and commerce. Train the trainer workshop: for The main objective was to: Health Sciences, taking a course on Clean Technol- the Olive Oil Sector in Lebanon – September 2010 ogy and Pollution Control, accompanied by Dr. Berj During the Seminar, LCPC with 3A Solutions s.a.r.l ™™ Provide technical assistance to SME’s Hatjian, DG of MoE, visit the IRI & LCPC on the and Somiral s.a.r.l, signed two Memorandum of Un- Following the site visits to the 6 SME’s under the ™™ Understanding the MOED tools: definition, 20th of March 2010. derstanding, in order to promote Environmental Man- olive oil sector in Lebanon, the LCPC organized the objectives and uses agement System and Sustainable Development. Students were introduced to LCPC and environmen- “Train the Trainers” Workshop, and it took place at ™™ Calculate the profitability of CP projects st tal protection and familiarized with the concept and Workshops towards the establish- the IRI premises on the 21 of September 2010. ™™ Evaluation of the environmental benefits methodology of CP. In addition, the students dis- ment of the National Cleaner Pro- achieved duction Centre in the United Arab This workshop targeted the representatives of the cussed and evaluated with LCPC team the role they Emirates (UAE) with public and pri- SME’s in addition to the selected national CP experts. ™™ Encourage the exchange of experiences and could play in the dissemination and application of CP vate sector, Dubai, UAE – May 2010 All participants were trained in CP concepts and meth- knowledge and providing examples of practical in Lebanon. Their visit also included a guided visit to The Ministry of Environment and Water in UAE in- odologies, the CP assessment report, and informed application of CP through Med Cleans the laboratories available at IRI to introduce the stu- vited the LCPC in cooperation with UNEP-ROWA about the following steps in the In-Plant Demonstra- ™™ Become familiar with the digital platform for dents to the sampling techniques and metrology. to organize two workshops on CP towards moving tion process in which they were participating. conducting self audit online.

78 79 IV. Invest In Med: V. GRECO Initiative Fostering Competitiveness for South-Med Products

GRECO is a Mediterranean initiative designed to Awareness Seminars on Green Com- petitiveness promote green competitiveness in the region by demonstrating the fabulous economic benefit that On the purpose of disseminating the Green Compet- Operation 1: Workshops on produc- During the workshop, a MOU was signed between the the environment can offer companies. itiveness concept, the LCPC in collaboration with ers responsibility EU directives: LCPC and Federation of Egyptian Industries, Environ- RAC/CP Spain held a series of awareness seminars REACH, RoHS and C&L Launching GRECO Initiative Green mental Compliance Office and Sustainable Develop- Competitiveness in Lebanon: on green competitiveness – GRECO program which International and National experts presented the EU ment with the aim of assisting, promoting and imple- The Ministry of Environment (MoE) and the Indus- tackled mainly the industrial sector in Lebanon in directives (REACH, C&L, RoHS) to enterprises, local menting sustainable application of Cleaner Production, trial Research Institute (IRI) in collaboration with order to select 5 companies to execute Case Studies stakeholders and consultants who will make initial con- Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency in order to in- the Lebanese Cleaner Production Center (LCPC) in Lebanon. tacts with SME’s in the framework of this initiative. crease the productivity of industry and reduce risks to and the Regional Activity Center for Cleaner Pro- During the seminars, the participants were intro- The participants were introduced to the Overview of people and the environment in Lebanon and Egypt. duction in Spain (RAC/CP) organized the National the Global Regulatory Frameworks related to Chemi- duced to CP concepts and methodologies,Green Forum on:" Best Available Techniques: Mechanisms cals Management, Clean and New Technologies for Operation 2: Regional Workshop for Competitiveness – GRECO Initiative in Lebanon. Train the Trainers on EU Directives to enhance the Green Competitiveness in Lebanon" Chemicals and Chemical Waste Management in In- th The international expert Dr. Helmut Fleig trained the and it took place on Tuesday 26th of January 2010 at The first seminar took place on the 24 of June 2010, dustry, Hazard Communication: GHS-Labeling and ENCPC, CMPP and LCPC experts on the European the Movenpick Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon. at the IRI premises, the second one was organized Safety Data Sheet. th directives. on the 25 of August 2010 in Hasbaya, South Leba- This operation is considered as the first and essen- During the forum, IRI, LCPC, and RAC/CP signed non, the third was organized on the 23rd of Novem- The experts will attract local SMEs, and provide train- tial step in assisting SME’s to manufacture products a Memorandum of Understanding valid for three ber 2010 in Zahleh, Bekaa, West Lebanon. ing and assistance on how to become compliant with which are compliant with European environmental years, and agreed on setting up a strong cooperation REACH, C&L, and RoHS. directives, and how to comply with those directives in framework between them in order to promote the order to learn about major export barrier and thereby The training took place on the 20th – 21st June 2010, GRECO Initiative among companies in Lebanon. gain more potential for export to the Europe market. Cairo, Egypt.

80 81 Euro-Lebanese Centre for Industrial Modernization 8ELCIM

83 Initiatives for 2010

Business Opportunities in Lebanon VIII Another workshop on “Business Process Re-engi- Food Advisory Unit’s First Aware- ration will be in the form of an IRI-ELCIM Front ness Workshop For the eighth consecutive year, Lebanon Opportu- neering” was held on October 21 2010. The aim of Office at CCIAB, through which the know-how of The Food Advisory Unit (FAU), which is an initiative both partners will be combined to provide a more nities in collaboration with ELCIM has organized its this session was to identify the core processes of an of ELCIM at the Industrial Research Institute (IRI), comprehensive SME support services structure. annual event "Business Opportunities in Lebanon" organization, measuring evaluation to strategy and organized its First Awareness Workshop on June 29 on October 19-21 2010 at the Convention Center in designing to achieve dramatic improvements using ELCIM and Les Volailles de Ba- 2010. troun on Tele-Liban Dbayeh. analytic and design techniques. Owners and general managers of the food business- Members of the ELCIM team accompanied a group Company owners, Country's top manufacturers, Launching of the Food Advisory Unit es, production managers, quality assurance manag- from “Tele-Liban” as they visited Les Volailles de business leaders, decision-makers, real estate de- ELCIM, on behalf of IRI, and as a specialized ers, R&D managers, and entrepreneurs have attended Batroun on May 5 2010. The aim of the visit was velopers and brokers, public works contractors, business services provider, is eager to serve the the workshop. Its objective is to raise awareness to to shoot a documentary on a success story of how investment bankers, investors, tax specialists have Agro-food manufacturing SMEs. As a result, it has all food small and medium operators and businesses this company has been able to implement its qual- attended, as well as dozens of foreign investors and worked on setting up an extensive Food Advisory about the technical capabilities of Lebanon’s most re- ity system. ELCIM has assisted this company in its businesspeople. Unit whose role is to advise, guide and eventually liable resources and to gain access to their services. processes of quality implementation until it has Each of the partners introduced their technical servic- reached the certification level. Vollailles de A series of workshops were held, topics covered implement food development projects for food com- es and answered all the questions regarding services Batroun now has received its ISO 22000 included finance, marketing, human resource man- panies and industrial clusters in Lebanon. and methodology of implementation. certification and is exporting its prod- agement, industry, banking, hospitality and tourism, The Food Advisory Unit (FAU) was launched on ucts to a wide range of countries information technology, real estate, general trade, March 9 2010 at IRI under the patronage of His Ex- ELCIM Front Office at CCIAB in the Middle East and Europe. and other. cellency the Minister of Industry, and the partners in Mr. Mohammad Choucair, President of Chamber of The program was aired on Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and ELCIM organized a workshop on “Guerrilla Mar- the Unit: The Chambers of Commerce, Industry and television were ELCIM Mount Lebanon (CCIAB) and Dr. Bassam Frenn, team members ex- keting” on October 20 2010 where Marketing and Agriculture; the Syndicate of Lebanese Food Indus- Director General of the Industrial Research Institute- plained the pro- promotion techniques for low-budget companies or tries, LibanPack, and Universities in Lebanon. Euro Lebanese Centre for Industrial Modernization cess that this those targeting niche markets were discussed. Two FAU aspires to link local technical resources with (IRI-ELCIM) signed a Memorandum of Understand- company has case studies from two different companies – Skyline agro-food businesses, particularly with the purpose ing on July 2 2010. This MoU aims to strengthen the went through design and Massada - were presented to share their of improving the products and processes of Leba- cooperation between CCIAB and IRI-ELCIM in or- and their com- business experience. nese SMEs operating in the food industry. der to better serve the Lebanese SMEs. This collabo- mitment to it.

84 85 Training Workshops

Guerrilla Marketing Models for Strategic Planning Business Planning distributing dividends and issuing debt (Financing) On January 28-29 2010, ELCIM organized a work- “Guerrilla Marketing” is a very popular topic today. & Financial Management or acquiring another company and the models and shop on the topic of “Models for Strategic Planning” Due to the increased demand from SMEs to learn ELCIM organized a workshop on the topic of “Busi- ratios used to assess such decisions. By the end of presented by Dr. Victor Araman. The workshop more about it, ELCIM held a training workshop on ness Planning & Financial Management” on Febru- the workshop, participants had a deep understanding which was held at Holiday Inn Hotel, Dunes Cen- the topic on July 8-9 2010. The workshop was pre- ary 10-11-12 2010. This workshop was presented of the key areas of financial management and busi- ter- Verdun, focused on the notion of Resource Al- sented by Dr. Alfred Riachi and focused on how to by Dr. Salim Chahine, at Holiday Inn Hotel, Dunes ness planning: Financial analysis (Financial state- location and Optimization (using Solver add-in) and use and adopt unconventional Marketing tactics and Center- Verdun. It focused on the major financing ments), Break-even analysis, Investment decision- making and Cost of Capital. how to extract the maximum value from resources strategies to reach high effective goals. and investing decisions and their consequences on and activities. It also demonstrated the company’s Guerrilla Marketing is a modern and unconvention- the business. The workshop hosted participants from different ability to explore complex combinations of possi- companies and profiles who were exposed to coop- al approach used to entail entrepreneurs to use mini- Dr. Chahine discussed how to understand the nature bilities for achieving the desired goals. erative learning through group work; and to prob- mal resources versus bigger competitors. Dr. Riachi of decisions such as investing in new machinery or lem-based learning through case study discussions. Dr. Araman discussed how to analyze a wide ar- discussed how to understand the most powerful and ray of business planning and decision problems by cost effective marketing and PR strategies for mar- building models with the help of spreadsheet soft- keting a product or service to a set target market and ware. In the modeling approach, he explained the achieving 12-month sales goal. By the end of the essential structure of a decision problem in terms workshop, the participants were aware of the most of objectives, decision variables, uncertainties, out- modern marketing techniques, plans and strategies comes, choice criteria, and feasibility constraints. to reach high effective goals. Through this discussion with the participants from various Lebanese SMEs, Dr. Araman provided some spreadsheet tools to assist in this process.

86 87 IRI Relations with Ministries & Public9 Institutions

89 IRI's relationship with minis- tries and public institutions

The Institute’s role in supporting IRI is continuously conducting the necessary in- B - General directorate of Cereals Ministry of National Defense the national economy in general dustrial inspections and studies, as well as feasibil- and Sugar beets The cooperation with the Lebanese army, including The Institute today represents the Lebanese State ity studies aimed at developing existing industries The Industrial Research Institute manages and oper- its various interests and divisions, has been firmly in the negotiations and conclusion of agreements or establishing new ones. This is in addition to ates the work of the central laboratory for grains, established since the IRI’s inception. of mutual recognition of conformity assessment, flour and bread research on behalf of the Ministry of conducting studies on the added value of national The IRI meets the requests of the committee tasked certificates and markings in what relates to trade Economy and Trade. The laboratory is equipped in industrial products and the need for certificates with the receipt of the analyzed materials and the between Lebanon and other countries. The Insti- accordance with highly specialized international ce- of origin for export clearance. Also, the Institute central reserve committee for foodstuff analyses, the tute was tasked with the issuing of certificates of real laboratories. The laboratory meets all the needs stewardship for uniforms and equipment, in addition conformity in the importation of industrial goods, worked in parallel with the ministry in granting of this directorate by controlling the quality of the to the requests of the corps of engineers, the logisti- pursuant to the Lebanese decrees of mandatory industrial licences, pursuant to decree No. 8018 imported and the locally produced wheat and wheat cal corps and the military police and other corps as specifications, and also in exportation operations dated 20/6/2002, which assigned the required role products (briefly, monitoring the ingredients that needed. in accordance with the specifications of the desti- for the IRI in this regard, and is still working in make up the Lebanese bread loaf). nation countries. parallel with the ministry whenever it is required The IRI also holds training courses on welding works, solar energy and other scientific topics which It should be mentioned here that since 2004, the to do so. The Ministry of Agriculture The Ministry of Agriculture requests the IRI to ana- the IRI proudly provides to this institution. IRI has been the only internationally accredited Ministry of Economy and Trade body in Lebanon by the German Accreditation lyze samples from agricultural products or material Since its inception, the IRI has been cooperating The Ministry of Interior and Munici- Body (Deutsches Akkreditierungssystem Prüf- on a frequent basis. These are usually sent to the IRI palities with the Ministry of Economy and Trade, espe- wesen (DAP)), as per the international accredita- by the ministry for testing, whether upon importing The Textile, Leather and Rubber Laboratory at the cially the Consumer Protection Directorate and the tion certificate DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025. Conse- them, exporting them or their usage. The IRI is also IRI is continuously cooperating with the security General Directorate of Cereals and Sugar beets. quently, the Institute is the only window available tasked with the analysis of fertilizers and pesticide forces in analyzing the uniforms of the Internal Se- for the flow of Lebanese goods, which need labo- A - Consumer Protection Directorate residues in vegetables, fruits and other crops. curity Forces, as well as shoes and equipment, in ratory tests and certificates of conformity, to the This directorate is tasked with taking samples from accordance with their requirements and in order to European and international markets. Ministry of Public Health certify the conformity of these specimens with the local markets on a regular and ongoing basis, and The laboratories of the IRI are used by the Minis- specifications established by them, prior to purchas- The Ministry of Industry handing them over to the IRI for laboratory test- try of Public Health in conducting special tests on ing uniforms and gear. The IRI is considered to be the quintessential tech- ing and issuance of the necessary reports, across bottled water, as a fundamental step in the process of nical arm of the Lebanese Ministry of Industry, various sectors. The IRI comprises 12 accredited obtaining a licence for the water bottling companies, The IRI meets the various requests by the Internal especially as the IRI is a subsidiary body of the laboratories that cover different sectors, in addition in addition to other tests conducted by the instituted Security Forces in different unmentioned sectors, ministry, and that its Board of Directors is headed to a control and inspection unit, the meteorological which include, for example, baby formula, cosmet- including for example chemical analyses to identify by his Excellency the Minister of Industry. The calibration unit and the Lebanese Welding Centre. ics, medicine and other items as needed. contraband and other security-related analyses.

90 91 Ministry of Energy and Water the cooperation among the Ministry of Industry, the The Lebanese Standards Institution primarily assumed by the IRI in Lebanon, not (LIBNOR) The IRI works with the Ministry of Energy and Wa- Ministry of Environment, UNIDO and Austria. only in the application of national standards, but The IRI worked diligently to establish the Lebanese ter in different areas, most importantly overseeing This centre’s main objectives include ensuring com- also in the application of international standards the manufacturing of gas bottles and certifying that Standards Institution (LIBNOR), which is tasked pliance with environmental standards during the dif- in export operations as the IRI is internationally they conform to the mandatory Lebanese standards. with issuing the Lebanese standards. In the begin- ferent stages of production, something that is ben- accredited according to Certificate No. 17025 The IRI also inspects gasoline tanks in petrol sta- ning, this institution was established in the campus eficial in terms of reducing costs by keeping waste ™™ Oversight of the local market. This function is tions, whether for licensing purposes or for mainte- of the IRI, which incubated its operations until it was in check on the one hand, and improving the envi- tasked to the Consumer Protection Directorate nance when requested. In addition, the IRI inspects reactivated in 1998. Since then, the IRI published at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce the nominal load of fuel tankers, in addition to other ronment by recycling wherever possible during the approximately one thousand national standards for inspections that are conducted at the behest of the production process on the other hand. the institution, as per annual contracts that were in ™™ A national council for accreditation, whose tasks include accrediting laboratories, monitoring ministry. Ministry of Justice force from 1998 until 2004. commissions, conformity assessment for The IRI also conducts studies and offers technical The judicial authorities continuously refer legal is- The IRI is currently represented in the institution’s products and processes in the country. This consultation in national issues when requested, issues sues to the IRI for technical advice, as the IRI is the Board of Directors, while the IRI is permanently that fall under the scope of both the ministry’s work national institution was not yet established in reference point for these authorities in what pertains represented in the technical committees tasked with and the IRI’s fields of expertise. Lebanon, and the IRI sought hard to establish it to scientific issues. issuing and updating the national standards. in order to complete the quality infrastructure at The Ministry of Environment Customs The Lebanese Council for Accredi- the level of national institutions, until the decree The IRI continually cooperates with the requests of Collaboration with the Lebanese customs is mainly tation (Colibac) of its establishment was issued in 2004, while the Ministry of Environment, whether by analysing done in the fields of enforcing and verification of Some time ago, the IRI realized that the infrastruc- the decree to establish its Board of Directors samples to assess their negative environmental im- conformity with the mandatory specifications re- ture of a world-class quality process must include was issued in 2006. The IRI is represented in pact, or whether by providing the Ministry of Envi- quired for goods imported to Lebanon, and which the following items: the Board of Directors of the Lebanese Council ronment with its services in the field of the inspection are subject to customs restrictions. This is done ac- ™™ A national institution for the issuance of national for Accreditation (Colibac). and auditing of factories, before suggesting the op- cording to a specific and known mechanism. standards, which in Lebanon is the Lebanese This council is still in the process of drafting its by- timal approach in the production process in order to The Customs authorities, according to the customary Standards Institution (LIBNOR), a body that is laws, which are nearing completion. Work is also mitigate the latter’s negative environmental impact. procedure, can send samples to the IRI for analysis ever striving to improve its role. underway to speed up the passing of the necessary The IRI also hosts the Lebanese Cleaner Production and for identification of their components, prior to ™™ Bodies for conformity assessment that legislations that will enable the council to start its Centre (LCPC), which was established as a result of clearing them for entry into the local markets. implement these specifications. This role is operations and serve the purpose it was created for.

92 93 IRI Relations with 10the Private Sector

95 IRI's relationship with the private sector

Industrialists the European and global markets, owing to the cer- is constantly evolving. Efforts are underway, on a tories that span many complementary disciplines, The IRI allots great importance to industrialists and tificate of conformity issued by the IRI. continuous basis, to facilitate trade exchange on in addition to the meteorology laboratory, the Leba- industry in Lebanon. Four years ago, the IRI con- one hand, and to verify the conformity of imported nese Welding Centre, the Euro-Lebanese Centre for Therefore, industrialists head to the IRI to conduct cluded an agreement with the Association of Leba- goods following a scientific method on the other Industrial Modernisation, and the Lebanese Cleaner the analyses required by the destination countries, nese Industrialists whereby it granted industrialists hand. Production Centre (LCPC). in order to obtain certificates of conformity for their a fifty percent discount on the costs of all laboratory Consumers products which would give them access to interna- analyses, in accordance with the list adopted by the Many merchants voluntarily head to the IRI to tional markets. The relationship between consumers and IRI is ei- IRI more than ten years ago. The services provided request tests and analyses of their merchandise and products, in order to determine their confor- ther direct or indirect, through the civil organiza- by the IRI to the industrialists are as follows: C – Product Certification mity with international standards in the case of tions and associations concerned with consumer This is an optional program that any factory that A – Analysis requests with the aim of improving export, or national standards in case of import, protection, the environment and other fields. the quality of production or finding solutions to meets the conditions can request, for implementa- prior to shipping it from the country of origin. tion in its facilities according to a contract with the Direct relationship production problems Farmers IRI and a specific mechanism at the latter; this would Any citizen can go in person to the IRI in order to Any industrialist can head to the IRI to request an The IRI’s laboratories continuously cooperate with enable the factory to obtain the IRI’s conformity test any product, substance or other items, which is analysis of a product produced in his factory with farmers. In truth, many farms voluntarily head to mark for its products, in an ongoing and continuous what is often done by citizens to ascertain the safety the aim of improving its quality, or as a result of the IRI and request their products to be analysed. a particular problem he is facing during produc- manner. The IRI would oversee production through of what they consume, be it drink, food, supplies, tion. At that point, cooperation and follow-up begin periodical analyses and inspections, before granting The IRI provides analysis for farmers for the fol- household electric appliances, building materials, lowing products: with the industrialist. In most instances, his request the factory certificates of conformity whether for ex- petroleum products and other daily items. becomes a process of applied research with which port purposes or for ensuring the conformity of its ™™ Olive oil these analyses either end up in improving the quality products to national standards. This takes place in a ™™ Honey Indirect relationship of the product or determining the underlying cause routine manner, and also on demand, and its cost is ™™ Vegetables and fruits (pesticide residue) Consumer protection associations and other civil of the production problem and subsequently, work- factored in into that of the program. ™™ Irrigation water organizations often head to the IRI and request ing on solving this problem. ™ Meat and fish analyses and tests of an environmental or health Merchants ™ ™™ Other agro-food products. safety nature. B – Pre-export Analysis There are goods that are subject to mandatory na- Cooperation with these organizations is done on There are many products that cannot be exported to tional standards. For this reason, importing such Researchers and scientists foreign markets without first being analyzed. As the goods is subject to customs restrictions that stipu- Many researchers and scientists head to the IRI to a continuous basis by the IRI, which meets all the IRI is internationally accredited pursuant to certifi- late their conformity to the mandatory national stan- conduct tests and analyses necessary for their sci- former’s requests in return for special fees that take cate No. 17025, its accreditation is recognized by dards. This is verified by the IRI prior to allowing entific research. Most of the time, their requests be- into account their conditions in most cases. If these more than 120 countries, rendering it virtually the these goods into domestic consumer markets. come applied research projects, as they are aware requests were not complimentary, then they would sole window through which Lebanese goods that of the IRI’s capabilities in this area. This is not to be symbolic, in a bid by the IRI to support and en- Hence, the relation between the importers and mer- comply with technical specifications can flow into mention the fact that the IRI houses twelve labora- courage these groups to work for the public good. chants on one hand, and the IRI on the other hand

96 97 Development of Human Resources & Laboratory 11Equipment

99 IRI STAFF

The IRI staff members amount to 130 at the end of 2010; 70% are males, while 30% are females. The age average is around 34 years. They can be categorized according to the level of their education: 17 hold a 3rd Cycle, 44 hold a 2nd Cycle, 24 hold a 1st Cycle, 30 are in their secondary and technical studies, and 15 are in other categories. IRI Employees

2010 /130 People

Education Level No. % Job Creation 1997-2010 140 3rd Cycle 17 pers. 13% 130 126 Other 3rd Cycle 120 2nd Cycle 44 pers 34% 11% 13% 120 109 1st Cycle 24 pers 19% 94 100 Educ. Second & Tech. 30 pers 23% 81 Educ. Second & Tech 2nd Cycle Other 15 pers 11% 80 72 23% 34% 64 56 60 49

40 1st Cycle 37 19% 40 33 Average Age Gender 21

20 34 years 70% Male 30% Female

100 101 New Equipment

BLAINE AIR PERMEABILITY (FINENESS) APPARATUS:

ISOWATER

This apparatus is used to determine the Instrument for the determination of water absorp- fineness of Portland cement in terms of tion, apparent porosity, apparent relative density, the specific surface expressed as total and bulk density of ceramic tiles according to the surface area in square centimeters per standard ISO 10545-3, EN 99. gram of cement. STOVE WITH FORCED AIR CIRCULATION: Stove with forced air circulation, suitable for the heating of drying of ceramic tiles. It is capable of reaching a maximum temperature of 209°C.

102 103 TRIVAC D16 B pump

Van Steenburgh system

Maximum Separation The Van Steenburgh system provides maximum separation of oil, acid, moisture, and hard particle contaminants through its unique method of pumping TRIVAC D16 B pumps are oil-sealed rotary vane the refrigerant liquid or vapor at high velocity and Ultima ID Pro pumps. They are dual-stage pumps. The number high temperature into the Separation Chamber as it Pump Vapor Refrigerant Analyzer in the type designation (16) indicates the pumping drops to near zero velocity. This causes the oil, acid, The Van Steenburgh system employs patented Com- speed in m3 · h-1. water and hard particle contaminants (copper chips, pressor Liquid Injection during vapor removal. This The Ultima ID Pro Refrigerant Analyzer is the most TRIVAC-B pumps can pump gases and vapors and etc.) to drop to the bottom where they can be re- means we pump a cylinder or system to atmospheric advanced portable instrument ever manufactured for trieved along with the maximum amount of retriev- pressure without harm to the compressor! Get those determining the purity of gaseous refrigerants for evacuate vessels or vacuum systems in the fine vac- able oil. No other system does this. last pounds. Don't send them back to the vendor with the HVAC-R market. uum range. Those of standard design are not suit- your empty cylinders. No other system does this. able for pumping greater than atmospheric concen- Sub-Cooling Features Include: trations of oxygen, hazardous gases, or extremely The vapor from the Separator passes through the com- Non-Condensables Separation ™™ Advanced ergonomic design aggressive or corrosive media. pressor to the air condenser where it is condensed to The combination of sub-cooling, which causes non- liquid. It then passes to the Chill Chamber(s) where ™™ Rugged rubberized hand grips condensables to rise quicker, and the on-board storage The drive motor of the TRIVAC-B is directly flanged it is sub-cooled to 15° to 40° F / -9° to 4° C. This ™™ Large graphic display with on-screen where the refrigerant is constantly being re-circulat- to the pump at the coupling housing. The pump and aids in the transfer of the refrigerant to a cylinder or instructions ed, means maximum separation. The "air out" switch motor shafts are directly connected by a flexible system at room temperature or warmer. It also en- allows you to purge all non-condensables. No other ™™ Fast 60 second test time hances the drying/filtering process.No other system coupling. The bearing points of the pump module system does this. ™™ Built in printer for instant analysis report does this. are force lubricated sliding bearings. All controls as ™™ Vapor or Liquid Sampling ability Additional Features well as the oil-level glass and the nameplate are ar- Drying/Filtering ™™ Internal, rechargeable battery (optional) for ™™ Unique multiple thermal expansion valve design ranged on the front. All connections are to be found Sub-cooled refrigerant dries more efficiently. We cordless operation in any location ™™ Oil Sight Gauge on compressor at the sides of the pump. The oil level glass is pro- take advantage by re-circulating the sub-cooled re- ™ Hard shell carry/storage case ™ Float valve safety shut off on storage/Chill ™ frigerant at the rate of 300-400 lbs. / 136.3 to 181.8 ™ vided with prisms for better observation of the oil Chambers (backed by 3 additional safety shut ™™ Remote Software Update port. kg an hour (average based on ambient range). This level. The pump module consists of assembly parts offs to prevent overfilling on-board storage) means maximum drying. No other system does which are pin-fitted so as to allow easy disassembly ™™ Laboratory quality gauges this. and reassembly. The pump module can be easily re- ™™ Visual check points to monitor drying moved without special tools. ™™ "Straight through" capability.

104 105 Ongoing12 Employee Training

107 Local Training, Seminars & Workshops (1)

Participant Organizer Object/Title of the training Date Location Mohammad Hajjar First Protocol Energy for the Future 28/1/2010 Gefinor Rotana Hotel - Hamra Nadia Khoury JICA / Ministry of Indus- Regional Workshop on “Instruments 22-23/01/2010 Le Bristol Hotel Imad Hage Chéhadé try / Ministry of Tourism for Quality Assurance in Lebanon, - Beirut Syria, Jordan, Egypt” André Kouek IRI / ELCIM Models of Strategic Planning 28-29/01/2010 Holiday Inn Hotel Ziad Moukarzel - Verdun Bassam Kabalan La Communauté Pauvreté et conditions socio- 02/02/2010 Centre Culturel Rachid Urbaine d’Al-Fayhaa / économiques à Al-Fayha’a: Diagnos- Karamé - Tripoli L’Agence Française de tic et éléments de stratégie Développement Naji Abi Zeid PAO How to benefit from Technical As- 16/02/2010 Grand Serail Bassam Kabalan sistance Information Exchange - Beirut

مجلس النواب 2010/03/2-1 متطلبات التكامل بني السلطتني التشريعية جلنة األشغال العامة والنقل Imad Hage Chéhadé والتنفيذية للنهوض بقطاع الكهرباء والطاقة واملياه Bilal Hussein Wissam Abi Abboud IRI / ELCIM Business Planning and Financial 10-12/03/2010 Holiday Inn Hotel, Management - Verdun Christiane Jbeily Zahle Pilot Plant / Food Quality Day Workshop 18/03/2010 CCIAZ CCIAZ Sélim Kfoury BIAT Loans in Lebanon 19/03/2010 Chamber of Commerce of Tripoli Mohammad Hajjar McGill Alumni Associa- Leading for a Better Future 19/03/2010 Phoenicia Interconti- tion / LCEC / Ministry of nental Hotel - Beirut Energy & Water Robert Hajj UNIDO-MACLE Project Conformity Assessment Roles and 24/03/2010 Four Points Sheraton COMMISSIONS, TRAINING, Maya Majdalani Procedures Hotel - Verdun Edgard Najjar Faculté des Sciences et Le réchauffement planétaire 30/03/2010 USEK WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS Naji Abi Zeid de Génie Informatique Mohammad Hajjar RCREEE National Seminar on Impact assess- 09/04/2010 Hotel Coral Suites ment of the National Regulation and - Hamra Policies for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sélim Kfoury First Protocol / Bank Unified Arab Currency 12/04/2010 Le Bristol Hotel Audi - Hamra Mohammad Hajjar USEK Les énergies renouvelables 29-30/04/2010 USEK Naji Abi Zeid CCIAB Workshop on REACH legislation 30/04/2010 CCIABML - Sanayeh, Missions, Training, Workshops & Seminars Joseph Matta CCIABML Bldg. Antoine Fayçal USEK Le nucléaire: au service de la société 5/5/2010 USEK 2007 2008 2009 2010 نقابة املهندسني في بيروت 2010/05/12-11 ادارة صحة احملاصيل الزراعية وسالمة الغذاء اجلمعية العربية لوقاية النبات / Amine Jbeily اجمللس الوطني للبحوث العلمية days participations days participations days participations days participations CNRS Seminars & 186 81 287 149 170 96 220 113 Hotel Monroe 2010/05/14 اطالق الدورة الثانية لتقدمي مقترحات املشاريع صندوق البيئة في لبنان workshops Naji Abi Zeid - Ain el Mreisseh International 79 23 182 31 59 17 66 26 missions & training

108 109 Local Training, Seminars & Workshops (2) Local Training, Seminars & Workshops (3)

Participant Organizer Object/Title of the training Date Location Participant Organizer Object/Title of the training Date Location Joseph Matta SIS / LIBNOR SIS-Sida project on Carbon Footprint 18-19/05/2010 LIBNOR - Sin-El-Fil Robert Haddad LIBNOR ISO 15189 and Accreditation: Invest- 07/10/2010 Hazmieh Rotana Hotel Amine Jbeily - Beirut Workshop Maya Majdalani ing in Quality - Beirut Mohammad Hajjar UL / USJ / ALMEE Solar Energy in Lebanon: Research 08/10/2010 Lebanese University معهد باسل فليحان املالي 2010/06-1/05-18 البرنامج التدريبي حول الصفقات العامة املعهد املالي Thomas Sabbagh Trends Campus - Hadath واالقتصادي - بيروت Naji Abi Zeid CNRS / ESCWA / IRD Lebanese Science, Technology and 28/05/2010 Bristol Hotel - Beirut Georges Makdessi World Bank / LARI Reducing vulnerability to climate 11-12/10/2010 Hotel Palmyra Innovation Observatory (LORDI) change in agricultural systems in - Baalbeck Lebanon Jihad Hage Chehade : 31/05 Imad Hage Chéhadé LGBC Standard for Energy Efficient Air 12/10/2010 Movenpick Hotel معهد باسل فليحان املالي اصالح املالية العامة خارطة طريق نحو التحديث املعهد املالي -2/06/2010 - Antoine Fayçal Conditioning Equipment in Buildings واالقتصادي بيروت واحلكم الصالح Antoine Fayçal LIBNOR Information Security Management 02/06/2010 Phoenicia Intercontinen- Sandra Sarkis LIBNOR Workshop on Conformity Assess- 12-14/10/2010 Radisson Blue Hotel, Ein Hanna Francis System and Software Assest Man- tal Hotel - Beirut Hanine Abdel Rahman ment - Certification and Accredita- Al Mraysseh agement tion Pratctices

نقابة املهندسني في بيروت 2010/10/26 االنتاج العضوي: دور وزارة الزراعة في النهوض بالقطاع وزارة الزراعة Mahmoud Amhaz UNDP / University of Free software Conference - FSC2010 08/06/2010 University of Balamand Nicole Abi Farhat Balamand Naji Abi Zeid AFED Arab Environment 2010 4-5/11/2010 Habtoor Grand Hotel Siham Youssef Italian Trade Commis- Italy - Lebanon Economic Forum 19/06/2010 Four Seasons Hotel Water: Sustainable Management of a - Beirut Antoine Fayçal sion - Italian Embassy - Beirut Scarce Resource AFED Annual Conference Sélim Kfoury Presidency of Council of Reforming the Investment Climate in 28-29/06/2010 Grand Serail - Beirut Ministers Lebanon Antoine Fayçal Faculty of Engeneering Engineering Job Fair 2010 4-5/11/2010 Palais des Congrès II - UL - Dbayeh Mohammad Hajjar LCEC National Workshop to discuss the 02/07/2010 Hazmieh Rotana Hotel draft energy conservation law - Beirut Imad Hage Chéhadé LGBC Standard for Energy Efficient Air 08/11/2010 Movenpick Hotel Antoine Fayçal Conditioning Equipment in Buildings Bassam Kabalan The World Bank Rapid Innovation Action Learning 05/07/2010 Gefinor Rotana Hotel ESCWA - Beirut 2010/11/10-8 العالقة بني حماية املستهلك والسياسة االقتصادية وزارة االقتصاد والتجارة Eliane Sawma Awad (RIAL) for Jordan, Lebanon, Syria - Hamra Antoine Fayçal الوطنية في لبنان Bassam Kabalan Mohammad Hajjar NDU / WEERC / ALMEE Strategic Impacts and Contributions 30/07/2010 NDU - Louaize of Applied Renewable Energy Inte- Antoine Fayçal USAID / Ministry of TBT Agreement 11/11/2010 Gefinor Rotana Hotel grated Solutions in Mediterranean Christiane Jbeily Economy / LIBNOR - Hamra Countries Camelia Kanaan UISF / OIA Séminaire “Bétons modernes” 11-13/11/2012 OIA - Beyrouth Nancy Maalouf ELCIM / IRI “Guerilla Marketing” From Planning 8-9/07/2010 Holiday Inn Hotel Nicole Abi Farhat USEK 17th International Scientific Confer- 12-13/11/2010 USEK Ziad Moukarzel to Implementation - Verdun ence Edgard Najjar IndyAct From waste management to material 26-27/07/2010 Safir Heliopolitan - Tarek Hakim Minister of Industry / 10th Mechanical Week 30-11/2-12/2010 Order of Engineers Naji Abi Zeid management - The zero concept Raouche Order of Engineers premises - Beirut Georges Makdessi CHOPIN Technologies CHOPIN Technologies User Seminar 04/08/2010 Le Meridien Commo- معهد باسل فليحان املالي 2010/12-2/11-30 ادارة املالية العامة في منطقة الشرق االوسط املعهد املالي Bassam Kabalan dore Hotel - Hamra واالقتصادي - بيروت افريقيا: حتديات وحتسني االداء في ّظل االزمة العاملية Carole Maroun ELCIM Guerilla Marketing training 27-28/08/2010 Habtoor Grand Hotel Elias Dib CNSRS / Association of The 10th Conference & Exhibition 01/12/2010 Dbayeh Convention - Beirut Lebanese Industrialists / of Lebanese Industrial Research Center Andre Kahaleh LibanPack Understanding Food Packaging 7-30/09/2010 LibanPack - Sin El Fil Minstry of Industry Achievements Program "Lira 10" Materials and their Applications Ziad Moukarzel Order of Engineers & Future Director 09/12/2010 Order of Engineers Architects in Beirut/ premises - Beirut Imad Hage Chéhadé LGBC Energy Efficient Air Conditioning 24/09/2010 Rotana Gefinor Hotel EduDMG Standards for Equipment in Buildings Mohammad Hajjar LCEC The project board meeting of the 12/21/2010 Gefinor Rotana Hotel Antoine Fayçal Mounassabattcom Beirut Energy Forum 30/09-1/10/2010 Metropolitan Palace UNDP Energy Programme and the - Hamra Mohammad Hajjar Hotel - Sin El Fil National workshop on the Lebanese Naji Abi Zeid National Energy Efficiency action Talal Zaki plan (NEEAP)

110 111 International Training, Seminars & Workshops Local Meetings & Inaugurations

Participant Organizer Object/Title of the training Date Location Participant Organizer Object/Title of the training Date Location

City Café - Beirut 2010/01/28 أهمية احلوض النووي في التحقيق اجلنائي Joseph Matta Jordan Institution for Stan- MENA Region Meeting Related to In- 17-18/01/2010 Amman - Jordan Nadia Khoury AUST / ICOU / RASIT dards and Metrology (JISM) troduction to Carbon Footprint throught Elias Maalouf 17/04/2010 - مصلحة األبحاث العلمية الزراعية تل لقاء وزير الزراعة مع مزارعي عنب املائدة في لبنان وزارة الزراعة Standardization العمارة Elias Maalouf EURAMET EURAMET - WELMEC Seminar on Me- 1-2/03/2010 Brussels UNESCO 2010/7/7 ورقة سياسة قطاع الكهرباء Imad Hage Chehade L.C.E.C trology and Conformity Assessment - Belgium نادي ضباط لواء احلرس اجلمهوري - 2010/05/24 اجتماع جلنة حتديث املواصفات الفنية للمواد اجليش - لواء احلرس اجلمهوري Joseph Matta Khodor Fawaz / - 24-29/04/2010 - القصر اجلمهوري، بعبدا الغذائية في اجليش اخلرطوم السودان الفحوصات الالإتالفية في التصويراإلشعاعي مستوى أول الهيئة العربية للطاقة الذرية هيئة الطاقة الذرية السودانية Bassam Kabalan BIFEX The Beirut International Franchise 27-28/05/2010 Cité Sportive, Jnah - Beirut Imad Hage Chehade Centre Scientifique et Tech- HQE 26-30/04/2010 Paris - France Forum Antoine Fayçal nique du Bâtiment - France Christiane Jbeily The Medical Resource Meeting to discuss the challenges 10/06/2010 Riviera Hotel - Beirut Tunis - Tunisia Center facing food safety and security 2010/06/9-7 االجتماع االول للجنة الفنية املكلفة باعداد منهجية Imad Hage Chehade AIDMO Tarek Hakim National ICT Strategy Meeting to discuss the draft pro- 14/09/2010 Berytech - Mathaf عربية لالعتراف املتبادل بشهادات املطابقة - Office of the Prime posal to set up a new Research and Tarek Hakim EFNDT 10th ECNDT 7-11/06/2010 Moscow - Russia Minister Design center in Lebanon by Intel Naji Abi Zeid TAIEX Study Visit on Conformity Assessment 21-25/06/2010 Prague - Czech Naji Abi Zeid ESCWA 15/10/2010 ESCWA - Beirut اليوم العاملي لإلحصاءات of Industrial Products Republic Hanna Francis PSI - Lebanon Unveiling of new Series of OKI A3/ 04/11/2010 Metropolitan Palace Hotel Maroun Saikaly Jordan Institution for Stan- MENA Quality Infrastructure Training 21-22/06/2010 Amman - Jordan Mahmoud Amhaz A4 printers dards and Metrology (JISM) / Program نقابة املهندسني في بيروت 2010/10/19 معا ًملكافحة اجلوع U.S National Institute of Stan- Amine Jbeily FAO dards and Technology (NIST) طرابلس البولفار في غرفة التجارة 2010/12/17 أمسية ثقافية اندونيسية خان الصابون Khaled El Ghoul والصناعة والزراعة Tarek Hakim IIW 63rd Annual assembly & International 11-17/07/2010 Istanbul - Tukey Conference of the International Institute of Welding Missions (Trainers, Experts & Speakers) Rabat - Morocco 2010/11/23-22 االجتماع الثالث للجنة االستشارات املترولوجيا املنظمة العربية للتنمية الصناعية Antoine Fayçal Name Organizer Object/Title of the training Date Location والتعدين Imad Hage Chehade GTZ 9th meeting of the EUROMED working 07/12/2010 Brussels Nancy Maalouf Ministry of Environment Mechanisms to enhance the Green 26/01/2010 Movenpick Hotel, Beirut group on standards, technical regula- - Belgium Antoine Fayçal /IRI/ LCPC/ Spanish Competitiveness in Lebanon tions and conformity assessment Imad Hage Chehade Regional Activity Centre Halim Bayeh Recovery and Recycling Industry recovery and recycling of ODS 20-21/12/2010 Duesseldorf Sélim Kfoury for Cleaner Production Talal Zaki Network of Refrigerants, Na- and GWPS - Germany Siham Youssef tional Ozone Unit - Ministry of مجلس النواب 2010/04/13 مناقشة موضوع الرمل والبحص - الكسارات جلنة األشغال العامة والنقل Elias Dib Environment واملقالع والطاقة واملياه Amine Jbeily Swedish Standards Institute Regional Workshop on Carbon Footprint 30-11/2- Cairo - Egypt Robert Hajj HORECA 2010 Jury Member in the National Extra 27-30/04/2010 BIEL, Beirut 12/2010 Virgin Oil Imad Hage Chehade Product of the Year Product of the year awards 2011 30/09/2010 Four Seasons Hotel, Lebanon Edition - Jury meeting Beirut Joseph Matta First Protocol Environment: principles and solu- 19/10/2010 USEK - Kaslik Siham Youssef tions Nancy Maalouf

112 113 IRI Seminars/Conferences Participant Organizer Object/Title of the training Date Naji Abi Zeid IRI / AWEX IRI / AWEX Cooperation 13/01/2010 Imad Hage Chéhadé Nadia Khoury Sélim Kfoury Nancy Maalouf Hanine Abdel Rahman LCPC Dissemination Seminar and Award cer- 09/03/2010 emony for distribution of CP Certificates to Textile Sector

2010/05/18 - 11 التدريب اخلاص بتصنيع وتركيب أجهزة التسخني الشمسي Georges Makdessi IRI / ESCWA / LSES للمياه Talal Zaki Maryam Abou Hamdan LCPC Producers’ responsibility EU directives: 20/05/2010 Bilal Houssein REACH, ROHs, and C&L

2010/06/09 االجتماع العام ألصحاب مصانع ومعاصر الزيتون في لبنان Mohammad Zeaiter UNIDO / IRI / LCPC Joseph Matta IRI / ELCIM The first awareness workshop of the food 29/06/2010 advisory unit Naji Abi Zeid IRI / AWEX Internationalisation of companies from 5-6/07/2010 Siham Youssef Lebanon: Promoting of exports and best Nancy Maalouf investment climate Carole Maroun Hanine Abdel Rahman IRI / IFREA / IRCA Formation Auditeurs et Responsables 29/06 - 3/07 / Maya Majdalani d’Audit de Systèmes de Management de 2010 Eliane Sawma Awad la Qualité ISO 9001:2008 Mahmoud Amhaz Bilal Houssein Robert Hajj Maryam Abou Hamdan LCPC / IRI / UNIDO Train the Trainers 21/09/2010 Mohammad Hajjar Raymonde Khazzaka Maryam Abou Hamdan IRI / LCPC Minimization Opportunities Environmental 23/09/2010 Mohammad Hajjar Diagnosis - MOED Camelia Kanaan

114 115 Development & Research 13Policy

117 Internationalization of Lebanese Enterprises Promotion of Exports and The Belgian Agency «Wallonia» Best Investment Climate Workshop provides expertise in the field of building «clusters»

The Industrial Research Institute (IRI) and the Wal- terprise Rhône-Alpes International)- FRANCE. lonia Export and Investment Agency (AWEX) pre- The workshop aimed at contributing , through the pre- pared a workshop on the 5th and 6th of July 2010 at sentation of European experiences, to help Lebanese the IRI conference room in Beirut, untitled: “Inter- institutions design new and improved measures pro- nationalisation of the Lebanese Enterprises Promo- moting export of Lebanese SME's, with the objective tion of Exports and Best Investment Climate”. The of increasing their market share on foreign markets. From the left: Mr. Swinen, Dr. Frenn, and Mrs. Abdel Rahim workshop was prepared in partnership with ; AWEX (Wallonia Export and Investment Agency) - BEL- The workshop also indented to help local SMEs to ac- GIUM ACCI0 – Agency from the Government of quire the best business practices and promotion tech- Thursday, January 14, 2010 niques available with the European public organiza- which is managed by the Industrial Research Insti- Catalonia in charge of Promoting the Internation- tions that support international activities of firms. It The Director-General of the Industrial Research In- tute, has contested the first successful experiment of alisation and Innovation of Companies)- SPAIN also exposed the European experience in clusters and stitute Dr. Bassam Frenn has made discussions with this kind in cooperation with the Lebanese Associa- ;SPRINTER – (Agency from Emilia-Romagna in presented the best available practices in this domain. Mr. Philippe Swinen, President of AWEX (Agency tion for Software Industry, establishing with it the Charge of Promoting the Internationalisation and for Export and Foreign Investments Development in first cluster for institutions and companies dealing Innovation of Companies) – ITALY ERAI and (En- the Belgian province «Wallonia» ), in the presence with software and electronics. of Mrs. Nada Abdel-Rahim, the Economic and Com- mercial Attaché at the Embassy of Belgium in Leba- The meeting has raised in an extensive discussion the non. The discussions addressed the issue of the prep- economic relations between Lebanon and Belgium. The Belgian Business Council aration for a partnership and cooperation agreement Mr. Swinen suggested to Dr. Frenn that IRI be a stra- between the Institute and the Belgian Agency known tegic partner for the Belgian agency for the organiza- Honors Philippe Swinen at the European level for its extensive expertise in tion of training sessions for eligible senior staff for January 15, 2010 building “clusters” for companies and institutions in the internationalization of small and medium enter- The Belgian Business Council in Lebanon, presided Antoine Delchor (Chargé d’Affaires of the Belgian specialized production sectors. prises in Lebanon. by Mouhannad Al-Assaad, Chairman of the Devel- Embassy), and Mrs. Nada Abdel Rahim (Commer- opment Agency of Exports and Investment in Bel- cial Attaché at the Belgian Embassy in Lebanon). Dr. Frenn said Lebanon, through the European - Leb- The two parties put forward the idea of organizing a gium, organized a banquet honoring Mr. Philippe anese Center for Industrial modernization (ELCIM) specialized workshop dealing with these subjects. The speeches made during the banquet have focused Swinen, in the presence of Dr. Bassam Frenn, (Direc- on activating the Belgian role in supporting the small tor General of the Industrial Research Institute), Mr. and medium enterprises in Lebanon. 118 119 Research & Development

Type Number

Sea water contamination 20 Industrial & Environmental studies 3 Gas effluents 5 Liquid effluents 2 External audits 16

120 121 International & Local 14Partnerships

123 Local partners International partners

UNIDO Metrology & Testing: – LNE, France – LPEE, Morocco

Solar Energy Lebanese LSES LCEC Construction Techniques QMS & EMS Certification CSTB - France Moody Certification

Energy Control Scientific Research ALMEE Universities Regional Activity Cen- Standards & tre for Cleaner Produc- Product Certification: tion of the Mediterranean AFNOR – France Action Plan CP/RAC LCEC

LIBNOR ESCWA Non-Destructive Testing Member of: ICNDT (International – AIDMO Committee for Non- – ICC Destructive Testing) – Eurolab Chamber of Com- the Faculty of merce, Industry Agriculture and Agriculture Lebanese University

Czech Office for Visio-Conference Standards, Metrology, Maison Ministries Faculty of Agri- & Testing De L’entreprise & Governmen- cultural Sciences tal Agencies USEK University Welding: – IIW (International Welding Institute) Syndicate of – Welding Institute, Engineers France

124 125 15Introducing IRI

127 Calling for expanding the basis of mandatory standards The Committee for Parliamentary Works visitis IRI

12 October, 2010 Deputy Mr. Mohammad Kobbany, president of the Parliamentary Public Works Committee accom- panied by committee members visited IRI along with the Minister of Industry H. E. Eng. Abraham Dedeyan. The Institute’s Director General, Dr. Bas- sam Frenn, gave a speech welcoming the Minister and the committee to IRI. During their visit they viewed a movie depicting the Institute’s history and highlighting its accomplishments throughout the years and were given a comprehensive tour of IRI's laboratories. Mr. Kobbany delivered a keynote speech in which he praised IRI’s work ethics and showed how im- pressed he was with its high technical level. He fo- cused on the necessity of complying with the exist- ing laws and mandatory decrees and emphasized the need to extend the mandatory specifications. He also expressed his admiration and that of the committee members of the superior level of professionalism at IRI and called for increasing its budget by the state, urging the concerned departments to benefit from the Institute’s expertise and high technical ability. Deputy Kobbany then mentioned the positive coop-

Committee Members during their tour of IRI Laboratories eration between the Institute and the Public Works Committee for many years in the past, especially that for bottled water. H. E. Minister Dedeyan gave a speech praising in it IRI and its activities and noted the importance of cooperation between the Institute and other public entities.

128 129 Visits to IRI Visits to IRI Visits to IRI Visits to IRI Visits to IRI Visits to IRI

Delegation from the Swedish Institution Iraqi Delegation Accompanied by a Group from BIVAC Anrika Quality Services 24/09/2010 19/ 03 / 2010

Dean of Faculty of Agriculture - Lebanese University Students from St. Charbel School, Jieh 30/01/2010 02 / 03 /2010

130 131 Visits to IRI Visits to IRI Visits to IRI Visits to IRI Visits to IRI Visits to IRI

UAE Delegation Accompanied by a Group from Students from Khaled Bin Walid Scool the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture 05/05/2010 2010/10/12

Study Visit by SIEI Students from the Engineering Faculty 19/10 /2010 - Lebanese University 0 5 / 11 / 2 010

132 133 16Decrees and Decisions

135 DECREES 2010 DECISIONS 2010

Decree Official Newspaper Decision Official Newspaper Subject Subject No. date issue date No. date issue date

4526 1/7/2010 33 8/7/2010 To conclude a technical program for the mutual recognition of conformity 38 1/4/2010 The Ministry of Industry request to approve the construction of a certificates and quality mark (conformity sign) between the Government of new building which is complementary to the existing building of the the Lebanese Republic and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Industrial Research Institute in the region of Hadath Jordan

5031 7/9/2010 44 23/9/2010 To conclude a memorandum of understanding between the Lebanese Insti- 1/174 12/4/2010 18 15/4/2010 The formation of a national committee for agro-industries and food tution for Standards and Specifications (LIBNOR) and the National Institute products of Metrology

5058 21/9/2010 44 23/9/2010 The upgrading of an employee from category ( II) to category ( I) and his 38 21/9/2010 A draft decree to give binding legal national standard specifications nomination as Director General of Industry in the staffing of the Ministry of related to the sector of health care technology, chemistry, solar water Industry heater, and economic energy-saving lamps.

5032 7/9/2010 44 23/9/2010 The Users System in the Lebanese Council for Credit / Financial Regulations 1207/ 3/10/2010 52 11/11/2010 Amendment of article I (one) of Decree No. 442/2004, dated Septem- 5033 of the Lebanese Council for Credit / Interior System of the Lebanese Council 2010 ber 4, 2004, stating to stabilize the temporary entry status for: Electri- 5034 for Credit cal apparatus for home use - Air fresheners - Racks of plastic

5047 20/9/2010 48 19/10/2010 Give legally binding characteristic for national standard specifications 2 25/10/2010 A draft decree to conclude an executive program for the memoran- related to the sectors of food, chemistry, medical supplies and equipment, dum of understanding on cooperation in the field of mutual recogni- and construction tion of conformity certificates between the Industrial Research Insti- tute in the Republic of Lebanon and the Egyptian Public Organization for Standards and Quality in the Arab Republic of Egypt 5305 28/10/2010 55 30/11/2010 Give legally binding characteristic for national standard specifications re- lated to the sectors of health care technology, chemistry, solar water heater, 1/174 11/11/2010 53 18/11/2010 Amendment of the resolution No. 502 / 1 dated 21.09.2010 (the sub- and economic energy-saving lamps. jected imported wheat intended for human consumption to labora- tory tests)

5382 5/11/2010 52 11/11/2010 Give legally binding characteristic for national standard specifications to health-related tools and equipment

5412 10/11/2010 54 25/11/2010 System of wage-earners in the Lebanese Institution for Standards and Specifications

136 137 17Newspaper Clippings

139 140 141 Notes Notes

142 143 Since 1953

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