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7/16/24, 3:55 PM Everything you need to know about the UAE's competition regulation law
Application of the law

The new law defines competition as the act of conducting economic activities without

affecting or restricting market mechanisms, which could harm trade, development and
consumer interests.

The new law applies to all businesses and people involved in economic activities, be it

manufacturing or supplying of products and services. It covers head offices, branches and

representative offices of businesses.

The law also extends to matters related to the exploitation of intellectual property rights
inside and outside the UAE, such as licensing patents to third parties for manufacturing

processes or franchising trademarks to global businesses.

It also covers economic activities conducted outside the Emirates that affect competition

within the country, such as price-fixing agreements or exclusive supply contracts abroad

that affect the availability of products and their pricing in the UAE.

Ministry of Economy said it is working to develop a more “agile and sustainable”

competitive system, in line with the objectives outlined in the "We the UAE 2031"

strategy.

Exclusion clause

The exclusion clause in the law exempts certain “agreements, practices, or conduct”

related to specific goods or services.

If there is another law that deals with the rules and procedures for addressing anti-

competitive practices and exemptions for a particular good or service, those rules will

apply instead of the provisions of competition regulation law.

A sectoral regulatory agency such as a government body governing a particular sector is

responsible for developing competition rules for those specific goods or services under its

jurisdiction.

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