Industrial robots on a manufacturing production line. Photo: Clemenspool / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0 Universal (public domain dedication, commercial use permitted). Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Staeubli_Robots_line.jpg
For companies supplying UAE government entities, national companies and other participating organisations, ICV certification in the UAE can be an important part of the procurement process.
ICV stands for In-Country Value. The programme is designed to encourage more procurement spending, investment, employment and economic activity within the UAE. It does not replace a trade licence, financial audit, quality certification or tender registration. Instead, it provides a structured way to measure a supplier’s contribution to the UAE economy.
The practical point for suppliers is simple: whether you need an ICV certificate depends on the procurement entity and the tender conditions. Businesses should not assume that every UAE government tender follows exactly the same requirement.
What is the UAE National ICV Programme?
The National In-Country Value Programme is a UAE government initiative led by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT).
According to MoIAT, the programme aims to redirect government procurement expenditure and spending by leading national companies into the UAE economy through local manufacturing, products, services and investment.
The programme is also intended to support:
- Local supply chains and industrial development
- UAE-based manufacturing and services
- Employment and development of Emirati talent
- Investment within the UAE
- Research, development and advanced technology
- The growth and competitiveness of local companies
An ICV certificate records a supplier’s calculated ICV score. The score reflects the information submitted by the supplier and verified by an authorised certifying body under the current official methodology.
It is important to treat the score as a measurement, not a guarantee. A higher score may support a supplier’s position in a procurement evaluation, but it does not guarantee a tender award.
Which companies need an ICV certificate?
A company generally needs to consider ICV certification when it intends to bid for work from a participating entity that has implemented the ICV programme and requires suppliers to submit an ICV certificate.
Participating entities may include government entities and major national companies. However, the requirement is procurement-specific. The tender documents, supplier registration instructions or procurement portal of the relevant entity should be checked before bidding.
An ICV certificate is normally obtained for the relevant legal entity. The September 2025 MoIAT guidelines state that each legal entity seeking certification requires its own certificate. Separate licences may therefore require separate treatment, even where ownership is common. The guidelines also address certain branch situations and explain how the company’s legal structure affects the certification process.
Businesses should check the requirement particularly when:
- Registering as an approved supplier
- Responding to a government or semi-government request for quotation
- Bidding for contracts with a participating national company
- Supplying industrial, construction, engineering, technical, professional or support services
- Renewing an existing supplier qualification
- Updating procurement records after a financial year-end
A company may still be legally able to operate without an ICV certificate, but it could face limitations in a tender where a valid certificate is required. The exact commercial consequence must be confirmed in the tender documentation.
Injection moulding machines in a manufacturing workshop. Photo: Orionpenindia / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 4.0 (attribution and share-alike; no modifications made). Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Inside_the_factory.jpg
Who issues an ICV certificate?
MoIAT manages the National ICV framework, publishes the official guidelines and maintains the programme infrastructure. It also authorises professional services firms to act as ICV certifying bodies.
An authorised certifying body reviews the supplier’s information, checks supporting evidence and issues the system-generated ICV certificate through the official ICV Platform.
The certifying body is not simply preparing a marketing document. It is expected to verify the supplier’s reported figures against financial statements and supporting records. MoIAT also reserves the right to review certification engagements and request information.
Suppliers should select a certifying body from the current official list published through MoIAT’s ICV resources and platform. The list may change, so businesses should avoid relying only on an old quotation, previous certificate or third-party directory.
What contributes to an ICV score?
The methodology differs depending on whether the supplier is treated as a goods manufacturer or a service provider. The current official formula and template should always be used because the programme requirements can be updated.
In general terms, the assessment considers areas such as:
- Local manufacturing or third-party procurement
- Investment and the value of assets located in the UAE
- Emiratisation, including eligible salaries, benefits and training
- Expatriate contribution and workforce-related information
- Revenue from customers inside and outside the UAE
- Growth in UAE-based investment
- Relevant bonuses for eligible activities
- Advanced technology and sustainability factors
- Sustainability policies or environmental certifications, where applicable
The detailed formula, definitions, exclusions and supporting evidence requirements are set out in the official MoIAT guidelines and ICV template. Businesses should not rely on simplified percentage tables copied from older articles, presentations or consultancy websites.
The official MoIAT formula page presents separate structures for goods manufacturers and service providers. The classification can affect which information is relevant and how a supplier’s contribution is assessed.
What documents are usually required?
The exact document list depends on the legal entity, business activity, financial year and classification. A supplier should generally prepare the following information.
Corporate and licensing documents
- Valid trade licence
- Legal entity details
- Ownership and branch information, where relevant
- Contact details of the authorised signatory
- Company registration information on the ICV Platform
Financial information
- Latest eligible audited financial statements
- Financial statements prepared under IFRS
- Audit performed by a licensed UAE auditor in accordance with applicable auditing standards
- Trial balance and account schedules
- Revenue records
- Asset registers and net book values
- Details of procurement and operating costs
The current MoIAT supplier certification guidelines state that the financial statements must not be older than two years from the certification year.
They also introduce an important requirement for relevant certificates issued for financial years ending after 31 December 2024: stand-alone audited financial statements for the entity being certified are required. Consolidated financial statements or figures that cannot be properly separated may prevent certification.
Procurement and workforce records
Depending on the business, the certifying body may need:
- Vendor listings and purchase details
- Invoices or other procurement evidence
- Valid vendor ICV certificates where relevant
- Employee lists
- Wage Protection System records, where applicable
- MOHRE records or official free zone employee information
- Salary and training information
- Evidence supporting Emiratisation-related figures
- Asset ownership and location records
- Export documentation and certificates of origin, where relevant
Private companies are also required under the guidelines to register on the NAFIS platform as partners before obtaining an ICV certificate.
How does the ICV certification process work?
The process normally follows these broad stages:
-
Confirm the requirement
Review the relevant tender, supplier portal or procurement instructions to establish whether an ICV certificate is required and what validity conditions apply. -
Register on the ICV Platform
Suppliers use the official platform and UAE Pass. A company without an existing profile must complete the company registration process. -
Select authorised certifying bodies
Through the platform’s bidding process, the supplier can select authorised certifying bodies and request quotations. -
Appoint a certifying body
After reviewing the quotation and engagement terms, the supplier accepts one offer. The certifying body uploads the engagement letter. -
Prepare and submit the ICV information
The supplier completes the official template and provides financial and supporting documents. -
Verification and review
The certifying body checks the submission, requests clarification where necessary and verifies the reported information. -
Certificate issuance
Once approved, the certifying body issues the official system-generated ICV certificate through the platform. The completed template itself is not the official certificate.
The official guidelines do not provide one universal processing time for every supplier. The duration depends on the completeness of the records, the complexity of the business, the availability of audited financial statements and the time required to resolve queries.
How long is an ICV certificate valid?
Under the current MoIAT Supplier Certification Guidelines, an ICV certificate is valid for 14 months from the date of issuance of the audited financial statements used for the certification.
This is an important distinction. The validity period is not simply calculated from the date the certificate is uploaded or printed.
A supplier may obtain recertification during the existing certificate’s validity period using the same audited financial statements. However, recertification does not reset the original 14-month validity period.
Businesses should therefore plan their renewal around:
- The date their audited financial statements are issued
- The financial year used for the certificate
- Upcoming tender submission dates
- Any procurement portal requirements
- The availability of updated audited financial statements
Why are some companies not eligible or unsuccessful?
An application may be delayed, rejected or require substantial clarification where:
- The applicant uses the wrong legal entity or licence details
- The financial statements are too old
- Stand-alone financial statements are unavailable
- Consolidated figures cannot be separated for the applying entity
- The ICV template does not reconcile with the audited accounts
- Vendor spend is unsupported
- Employee numbers or salaries do not match official records
- Required NAFIS registration has not been completed
- The company selects the wrong goods manufacturer or service provider classification
- The supplier cannot provide evidence for reported assets, revenue or procurement
- Figures are incomplete, inconsistent or unsupported
The guidelines also warn that gross negligence or wilful default may lead to punitive action, including being banned from the National ICV Programme. Accuracy and document control are therefore more important than trying to maximise a score through unsupported adjustments.
ICV certification versus ISO certification
ICV and ISO certification serve different purposes.
ICV certification measures a company’s contribution to the UAE economy for the purposes of the National ICV Programme and participating procurement processes.
ISO certification confirms that an organisation operates a management system against the requirements of a particular ISO standard, such as quality, environmental or information security management.
An ISO certificate does not automatically replace an ICV certificate. However, the current ICV methodology may recognise certain eligible environmental or sustainability certifications in specific circumstances.
This is where an integrated ICV & ISO certification service can be useful: the two processes should be coordinated, but they should not be confused.
Practical benefits for suppliers
A valid ICV certificate can help a business:
- Meet a procurement requirement where ICV is mandatory
- Participate more effectively in qualifying tenders
- Present verified local economic contribution
- Identify gaps in local procurement and workforce records
- Improve financial data organisation for future certification
- Support supplier registration with participating entities
- Align localisation, investment and sustainability activities with commercial objectives
It does not guarantee a tender award, a particular score or a specific commercial outcome. Its value depends on the relevant procurement rules and the quality of the supplier’s underlying records.
For support with ICV certification, ISO certification or broader UAE business compliance, contact PJ Advisory. We can help review the applicable requirements, organise documentation and coordinate the certification process transparently.
Sources and references
-
Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology: National In-Country Value Programme
https://moiat.gov.ae/en/programs/icv
Publication or update date: not displayed on the page; accessed 1 October 2026. -
MoIAT, ICV Formula
https://moiat.gov.ae/en/programs/icv-formula
Publication or update date: not displayed on the page; accessed 1 October 2026. -
MoIAT: National ICV Supplier Certification Guidelines, September 2025, Version 1
https://moiat.gov.ae/-/media/site/moiat/programs/icv-formula/icv-supplier-certification-guidelines-sep-2025-v1.ashx
Published: September 2025. -
MoIAT, Issuing an ICV Certification (service page)
https://moiat.gov.ae/en/services/issuing-an-icv-certification
Publication or update date: not displayed on the page; accessed 1 October 2026. -
MoIAT, National ICV open data: certifying bodies and certified companies
https://moiat.gov.ae/en/open-data/national-icv
Publication or update date: not displayed on the page; accessed 1 October 2026. -
Official National ICV Platform
https://icv.moiat.gov.ae/
Publication or update date: not displayed on the platform; accessed 1 October 2026.
Publication or update date: not displayed on the platform; accessed 1 October 2026.