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Press Release

Ministry of Economy reviews the new Consumer Protection Law
and its implementing regulation

H.E. Al Saleh: The law and its regulation mark a real turning point in government’s
efforts to develop the UAE’s consumer protection system

Abu Dhabi, 11 January 2024:

The Ministry of Economy held a briefing session today, during which it reviewed the main
developments concerning the legislation and policies for the development of the UAE’s consumer
protection system. These include Federal Decree Law No. 5 of 2023 amending the Federal Law
No. 15 of 2020 on consumer protection, and its executive regulation issued by Cabinet Decision
No. 66 of 2023. The briefing took place in the presence of H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary
of the Ministry of Economy.

H.E. Al Saleh said: "The new Consumer Protection Law and its implementing regulation represent
a real milestone in the government’s efforts to develop the country's consumer protection system
in accordance with best practices. It has two dimensions: the first is the strengthening of the role
of the local authorities in the enforcement of the consumer protection law more effectively by
granting them all the necessary legislative powers. They have been granted inherent legal
competencies in: i) receiving, following up and acting on consumer complaints, and ii) imposition
of administrative sanctions and fines for acts committed in violation of the provisions of the law
and its implementing regulation, and iii) acting on grievances submitted against decisions on
punitive measures."

He continued: "The second focus area is the strengthening of deterrent measures to ensure that the
merchants, either retailers, traders or producers meet their legal obligations, to re-balance the
contractual relationship between them and the consumers. In this context, the merchants’
obligations during the sale of a commodity or providing a service have been more elaborated,
better clarified, and broadened to include nearly 43 obligations. This is in line with the strategic
objectives of the Ministry to promote consumer rights and welfare in order to establish and ensure
an enabling and secure environment when purchasing goods or receiving service.”

H.E. noted that the majority of the merchants obligations under the new law and regulation did not
exist in previous legislations. This confirms a qualitative shift in legislation supporting consumer
protection and guaranteeing all consumer rights in the country. It further contributes to the
provision of service or commodity according to the highest quality standards as one of the