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The Ministry of Economy outlined key provisions of Cabinet Decision No. (107) of 2026 during a media briefing on Thursday, detailing the executive regulations that implement Federal Decree-Law No. (42) of 2023 on combating commercial fraud. Assistant undersecretary Safeya Al Safi described the framework as a milestone that aligns market oversight with international best practices while bolstering consumer safeguards against substandard goods. The regulations, which took effect three weeks earlier, cover inspection protocols, product seizures and coordinated enforcement across physical and online retail channels.
Suppliers who receive notification from the ministry or another competent authority must immediately halt sales or displays of the implicated items and complete their withdrawal from markets and warehouses inside 24 hours. Those suppliers are also obliged to alert all downstream points of sale and recover the goods while furnishing proof of compliance to the authorities. The rules apply equally to adulterated, spoiled and counterfeit products, with the ministry noting that failure to meet the deadline triggers direct intervention by officials.
Authorities hold the power to seize suspect items at the violator’s expense if the supplier proves unreachable, according to the regulations detailed in the briefing. Suppliers must furthermore publish a public warning in both Arabic and English within 48 hours to inform consumers and businesses about the withdrawn products. A related Gulf News report on the session highlighted how these steps extend to procedures for the return, destruction or safe disposal of violating goods.
Counterfeit items must be destroyed within 15 working days of a relevant court ruling or decision by the Supreme Committee, the ministry’s inventory of measures shows. Enhanced data sharing between the Ministry of Economy and partner agencies forms another pillar of the updated regime. Al Safi stated that the ministry maintains a price monitoring system for basic commodities to support overall market stability amid these controls.
The new rules build upon Federal Law No. (15) of 2020 on Consumer Protection, which the UAE Legislation portal lists as seeking to ensure product quality, accurate information and consumer safety across all transactions including e-commerce. With online platforms explicitly brought under the anti-fraud umbrella, the regulations address a sector that has expanded significantly since the 2020 law entered force. Ministry officials noted during the briefing that most e-commerce operators have shown cooperation in implementing the requirements.
Penalties stipulated in the underlying 2023 decree-law include up to two years imprisonment and fines ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh1 million for breaches such as non-compliance with recall orders. The framework identifies specific violations including the reintroduction of unfit goods into circulation or their use for illicit gain. Al Safi told those attending the Thursday session that the measures advance a transparent commercial environment and protect shoppers from exposure to fraudulent products.
