The Dubai Municipality has announced the decision of the Licensing and Registration Committee to suspend two engineering consultancy firms from obtaining new project licenses for a period of six months. This action comes after identifying professional practices that violate established regulations and ethical standards, potentially impacting the interests of property owners and developers. This measure aligns with the Municipality’s responsibilities in regulating engineering consultancy practices and ensuring work quality.
Dubai Municipality conducts regular field visits to engineering consultancy offices to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. These inspections aim to verify that all standards and requirements are being met within the emirate, reflecting the Municipality’s commitment to monitoring all activities related to the construction sector.
Additionally, the Dubai Municipality has unveiled a new plan to update the standards for the “Evaluation System for Contracting Companies and Engineering Offices.” This plan aims to incorporate a range of criteria and indicators to provide a comprehensive and accurate assessment of these entities’ performance, furthering their ongoing efforts to advance Dubai’s construction sector towards greater intelligence, sustainability, and leadership, while adhering to the highest global standards and benchmarks. The updated standards are set to be implemented at the beginning of 2026.
The new standards will encompass aspects such as financial solvency, localization rates, participation in corporate social responsibility, adherence to project timelines, and support for innovative projects that utilize the latest technologies in design and execution. Additionally, the evaluation of property owners will continue to be a key element of the system.
Mariam Obaid Al Mahiri, the Executive Director of the Building Regulatory and Licensing Agency at Dubai Municipality, emphasized that this update reflects the Municipality’s commitment to enhancing building quality in the emirate and improving its global competitiveness. It also aims to develop proactive services and improve the environment for engineering professionals and consultancy offices, thus fostering a culture of professional excellence and raising standards in this vital sector, reinforcing Dubai’s leadership in embracing the latest and best global construction practices.
Al Mahiri stated, “The evaluation system for contracting companies and engineering offices is a crucial driver in enhancing their performance efficiency and work quality. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive data about contractors and consultants and their performance evaluations to property owners and developers, assisting them in selecting the most suitable candidates for their projects. Furthermore, we offer them the opportunity to participate in the performance evaluation through online surveys via the Dubai Building platform ‘BID’, which enhances transparency and builds trust among all stakeholders, providing direct added value.”
The Executive Director of the Building Regulatory and Licensing Agency also noted that the development of the evaluation standards will be conducted in collaboration with contracting companies and consultancy offices operating in Dubai. Regular sessions and meetings will be organized with them to gather their opinions, suggestions, and feedback prior to the formal adoption of the system.