The Consumer Protection Supreme Committee held a meeting chaired by Abdullah bin Touk Al Marri, the Minister of Economy and Tourism. During the meeting, key efforts and achievements from 2024 aimed at enhancing consumer rights protection and regulatory oversight of goods and products across the seven emirates were discussed. The goal is to ensure a safe and stable consumption environment that aligns with global best practices, contributing to an improved quality of life for the community and boosting the competitiveness of the business and trade landscape both regionally and globally.
Abdullah bin Touk stated, “The UAE has made significant strides in developing the legislative and regulatory frameworks necessary to create a comprehensive and advanced system for consumer protection, ensuring their rights and facilitating fair trading practices.” He emphasized the crucial role of the committee in enhancing compliance with consumer rights regulations and policies, tightening market oversight, and fostering coordination with federal and local authorities to implement national project and strategy objectives. This effort supports the nation’s vision of becoming the most prosperous society globally by the next decade, in line with the “We Are UAE 2031” goals.
He further elaborated, “The committee has adopted a proactive approach in formulating national plans and initiatives aimed at aligning regulations with the ever-changing market landscape while maintaining the highest consumer protection standards during their purchasing process of goods and services. The committee has also developed effective mechanisms and policies to regulate the availability of goods and services, particularly amidst today’s economic and geopolitical challenges.”
E-commerce
The meeting also included a review of the committee’s efforts to strengthen oversight of the e-commerce sector, including digital commerce platforms. This has involved supporting the issuance and update of various economic legislation and policies for this vital sector. This includes the Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2023 concerning commerce through modern technology, which aims to regulate and develop e-commerce in the UAE. It covers various aspects of modern trade reliant on advanced technologies, from defining the scope and objectives to specifying the authorities’ responsibilities, technical standards, and requirements, as well as consumer protection mechanisms, dispute resolution, data management, insurance coverage, legal responsibilities, and enforcement mechanisms, reinforcing the UAE’s status as a safe and reliable business environment for e-commerce.
The committee reviewed the Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s efforts and its partners in market oversight and price regulation for goods in 2024, which included 34,499 inspection rounds resulting in 3,561 violations. Moreover, approximately 2,000 complaints were received through electronic services for resolving issues, along with 115 recall requests for non-compliant products last year. This recalls service allows for tracking the withdrawal of defective goods by suppliers or relevant authorities both domestically and abroad, ensuring consumer health and safety, protecting their rights, and maintaining market stability in the country.
The committee also discussed updates on implementing pricing policies for essential consumer goods, including three ministerial decisions related to this policy. These include monitoring basic consumer goods prices, activating unit price displays for certain consumer items, and adhering to the guidelines for consumer goods. These decisions are part of the continued efforts of the state to enhance consumer protection and ensure a balance of interests between consumers and suppliers.
Digital Project
The committee reviewed the latest updates on a new digital project aimed at intensifying electronic oversight on product and commodity pricing and enabling swift actions against violations as they are discovered. This project also aims to improve the complaint processing system, providing a comprehensive “Market Analysis and Remote Monitoring System for Consumer Goods,” designed to enhance market oversight in the UAE using the latest technological and innovative solutions.
In closing, the committee explored collaboration opportunities among relevant agencies to increase consumer awareness regarding their rights, responsibilities, and obligations. They aim to promote proper consumption behavior that supports informed purchasing decisions and ensures consumers have accurate and correct information regarding products or services. Additionally, the committee emphasized the consumer’s right to fair compensation if harmed by a purchased or used good or service.