UAE's Ministry of Economy is updating federal law No. 15 of 2022 on consumer protection with more details, including specific penalties for retailers and other establishments violating consumer rights.
We are consulting with stakeholders from local and federal levels, as well as the private sector and chambers, before rolling out the executive bulletin in the first half of 2023. A lot of aspects will be covered and more clarity will be provided. For example, if the item purchased has a defect, what is the penalty a customer can claim or raise with the authorities if the vendor does not respond. According to Abdullah Sultan Al Fan Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Monitoring & Following Up Sector at the Ministry of Economy, these details will be covered in the update for consumer rights.
The ministry conducted 94,123 inspections in 2022, which found 4,227 violations. In 2023, the number of inspections during the first few months of 2023 stood at 8,170, which resulted in recording 1,030 violations.
The inspections ensured that price tags are displayed correctly and quality products are offered to consumers, preventing fraud and trademark infringements.
Today, consumers are very smart and report violations to the ministry, which helps protect their rights.
It is harder for vendors to manipulate customers now, which is good for everyone, especially law enforcement, because the monitoring of violations comes directly from the customers, Al Shamsi told Khaleej Times.
A new mechanism has been devised for validating and justifying price hikes as a result of recent requests from retailers to increase the price of items, he said, appointing external specialized audit bodies to ensure the ministry is on the right track when granting price changes.
During a press conference in Dubai on Thursday, Al Shamsi stressed that the ministry prevents suppliers from raising prices unjustifiably; strengthens mechanisms to counter monopoly practices; and promotes fair trade.
During Ramadan, the Ministry of Economy held 26 meetings with basic commodity suppliers, including rice, flour, sugar, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, juices, and others, to ensure that enough stock of these commodities is available.
In Dubai, fruit and vegetables are consumed daily in the amount of 19,000 tons, while in Abu Dhabi, fruit and vegetables are exported in the amount of nearly 6,000 tons. According to the ministry, there are currently 143,000 tons of fruit and vegetables available.
The first step towards guaranteeing consumer rights and matching them with their purchases is to adhere to conscious purchasing practices, such as keeping the invoice. In case of grievances that violate their rights as consumers, they can submit a guarantee to the relevant government authorities.