“Consumer protection” allows interference in setting the selling prices of goods and obligating suppliers to implement them

A law that grants the government new powers to confront "monopoly" in exceptional circumstances

• “Economy”: The law is in line with laws regulating competition, food safety, and combating commercial fraud.

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• Abdullah bin Touq Al-Marri: "The law strengthens the consumer protection system, and provides more controls and mechanisms to implement market surveillance."

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Decree-by-Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 regarding the protection of the new consumer granted the government new powers to take rapid and immediate steps to address any monopoly or exploitation practices in exceptional circumstances, and to ensure the interests and protection of consumers, as it authorized the Minister of Economy, in cases of crisis or emergency or Unusual situations in the internal or external markets, to intervene and take decisions to protect the interest of consumers and ensure that they are not harmed, including setting the selling prices of any commodity, and obligating all suppliers in the country to implement.

The law includes a new article on electronic commerce, which stipulates that suppliers registered in the country, who work in the field of e-commerce, are required to provide consumers and the competent authorities with their names, legal status, addresses, and licensing authorities.

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, issued a decree by Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 regarding consumer protection, published in the latest issue of the Official Gazette.

consumer protection

In detail, the Minister of Economy, Abdullah bin Touq Al-Marri, affirmed that the issuance of the Federal Decree Law No. 15 of 2020 regarding consumer protection strengthens the nation's consumer protection system and provides more controls and mechanisms to implement the required control over the markets, ensure their stability and prosperity, and achieve a relationship Balanced balance between merchants and consumers in the country's markets.

Bin Touq added: “In light of the current conditions that the world is witnessing, as a result of the spread of the (Covid-19) pandemic, the need to develop consumer protection policies in various countries has emerged to ensure consumer rights, and to provide more protection for them in cases of crises and emergencies.” The law was keen to keep pace with the new consumer trends, especially with regard to e-commerce activities, as it established a set of provisions that regulate the work of e-commerce platforms registered in the country, guaranteeing the rights of consumers when dealing with them, and establishing a positive and balanced relationship between the seller and the buyer.

The Minister of Economy indicated that the new law came as a continuation of the previous law, with updates that achieve the goals of the state and the vision of the leadership to develop legislation that affects the life of the consumer in the UAE, and to ensure his protection and happiness, and to keep pace with economic and technological developments and regional and international legislation in the matter of consumer protection, and in line with the directions of the Cooperation Council For the Arab Gulf states in developing consumer protection legislation, to be more compatible with consumer needs.

Exceptional measures

Bin Touq emphasized that the law is in line with laws regulating competition and food safety, combating commercial fraud, trademarks, and other relevant laws in the country, pointing out that the economic approach adopted by the UAE is based on the principles of an open economy and a free market, but the Consumer Protection Law The new took into consideration that there would be exceptional measures in unusual circumstances, as it stipulated that in cases of crisis, emergency conditions, or unusual situations in the internal or external markets, the Minister of Economy may intervene and take decisions to protect the interests of consumers and ensure that they are not harmed, including: This is to determine the selling prices of any commodity, and to oblige all suppliers in the country to implement.

He added, "With this new authority, government agencies are able to take quick and immediate steps to address any monopoly or exploitation practices in exceptional circumstances, and to ensure the interests of consumers and their protection."

Law goals

The decree issued by Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 in the matter of consumer protection focused on achieving a number of important objectives, foremost of which are ensuring the quality of the commodity and service provided to the consumer, obtaining it at the declared price, and preserving the health and safety of the consumer when he obtains the commodity, uses it, or when Receiving or using the service, and encouraging healthy consumption patterns.

Electronic trade

The law also defines the mechanisms for dealing with price increases in abnormal circumstances, as well as the provisions related to the implementation of guarantees for goods and services, and consumer protection within the framework of e-commerce activities, as the law includes a new article on e-commerce, which stipulates obligating suppliers registered inside the country, and those who work In the field of e-commerce, by providing consumers and the competent authorities with their names, legal status, addresses and licensing bodies, and comprehensive information in Arabic about the product or service provided and its specifications, and terms of contracting, payment and guarantee, and the controls and mechanisms are defined in the executive regulations, noting that the Ministry is not responsible for trade operations Electronic transactions that take place through unlicensed providers within the country.

The provisions of the law apply to all goods and services within the state, including free zones, and also include transactions that take place by means of electronic commerce if the provider is registered inside the state.

Consumer rights in accordance with the new law

Providing an appropriate and safe environment when purchasing a commodity or receiving a service.

- Obtaining the correct information about the "good / service" that he buys, uses or receives.

Educating him and making him aware of his rights and obligations.

- Protect the privacy and security of its data, and not to use it for promotional and marketing purposes.

Just and prompt settlement of his disputes.

- The new law requires that data, advertisements, and contracts related to consumers be in Arabic, and another language may be used alongside it.

• Requiring suppliers registered in the country, who operate in the field of e-commerce, to provide consumers and the competent authorities with their names and legal status.

• The Ministry of Economy is not responsible for e-commerce operations that take place through unlicensed suppliers inside the country.

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