CDWS raising quality and standards in egypt's diving industry

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CDWS raising quality and standards in egypt's diving industry


CDWS raising quality and standards in egypt's diving industry

15 March 2009

Egypt's Chamber of Diving and Watersports will soon complete the auditing process which has been put in place to ensure that all operating diving centres and safari boats in Egypt's Red Sea resorts are working to the same safety standards and offering tourists a high quality of service.

The CDWS have successfully signed an agreement to adapt and implement the European Norms (EN) with the Austrian Institute of Norms (ON) - the certification arm of European Underwater Federation (EUF). The certification is for the standards EN 14467/ISO 24803 for Recreational Diving Services. The CDWS also acknowledges all training agencies recognised by the EUF.

The auditing process to check that diving centres are meeting these standards began in May 2008 and will be complete by 31st March in South Sinai and by 31st July in the Hurghada area. This means that any diving centre that has not complied to standards EN 14467/ISO 24803 for Recreational Diving Services by those dates will not be able to renew their licence from the Ministry of Tourism and therefore will be operating illegally. Steps will then be put into action to close down illegal operations that fail to comply.

CDWS new website www.cdws.travel currently lists only diving centres that have successfully completed the audit and received their certification (to date 150 centres are listed and 21 safari boats). This list is updated every week as more centres comply. By the end of July 2009 this list should be a complete comprehensive list of legally operating diving centres in the Red Sea and should be used by visitors when selecting diving operators to conduct their diving activities during their holidays in Egypt.

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5/3/09