What is the CDWS and what’s going on in Egypt?
The Chamber of Diving and Watersports (CDWS) is the first and only official body in Egypt set up to regulate recreational diving and watersports. Established in 2007, one of the main aims of CDWS is to ensure that all recreational diving operation services and facilities in Egypt meet with internationally recognised standards set out by certification organisation European Underwater Federation (EUF).

All diving centres and safari boats must comply with ISO standards EN 14467 / ISO 24803 as agreed with CDWS, the Austrian Institute of Norms and the EUF.

Despite being one of the busiest and popular diving destinations in the world, Egypt’s diving industry has not been regulated for more than 25 years of existence. Such work had previously been left to non- government organisations. As a result many of the objectives set-out by the CDWS will take time to implement.

Operating under the Egyptian Tourist Federation's governmental umbrella, the CDWS is managed by a board of 12 board members – ten elected by members and two appointed.
In 2008 the CDWS board commissioned a team of independent auditors to inspect diving centres and safari boats and ensure these met ISO standards EN 14467 / ISO 24803. Audits took two to four days to complete. All operators have to pass inspections to qualify for or renew CDWS membership and obtain a Ministry of Tourism licence needed to legally operate in Egypt.

Operations failing to comply in initial audits were given a significant period of grace in which to implement these standards before the deadline in 2009. The deadline has now passed and Egypt has seen the closure of illegal diving operations – those that never had a licence from the Ministry of Tourism or failed to comply with ISO standards.

The CDWS website publishes a full list of legal and ISO certified operations, as well as a black-list of those businesses operating illegally. It is hoped these measures will ensure safety standards remain high. Without warning operations will be spot-checked each year by auditors on all areas concerning the ISO standard.

Other moves to raise standards include implementation of training courses mostly financed by the Ministry of Tourism for snorkel guides and boat skippers.
Marine environment issues are also a major focus and CDWS continues to support campaigns and projects to protect and preserve the underwater world. This includes the organisation of a conference in Sharm el Sheikh to help tackle the issue of illegal fishing and the funding for promotional material to try to educate non-divers about the damage done by walking on the reef, dumping of waste and feeding of fish.

As part of its wide remit the CDWS is also a body which actively represents its members and promotes diving and waterports in Egypt to the rest of the world.

Links related to CDWS:

• CDWS homepage

• Blue Magazine

• Medical facilities