The Higher Committee for Consumer Protection revealed that local departments conducted over 76,500 inspection tours across various markets in the first half of 2025, resulting in 4,908 violations. The Committee, which held its second meeting for 2025 under the chairmanship of Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, noted that it had received 2,297 complaints since the beginning of 2025 until early November, while the number of recalls for non-compliant goods reached 79 requests, covering 309,484 items during the first nine months of 2025.
Specifically, the Higher Committee for Consumer Protection held its second meeting for 2025 under the chairmanship of Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, in the presence of representatives of the Committee's members, where it reviewed the key efforts and achievements made in developing the legislative and regulatory environment, providing a safe and fair consumer environment in the country's markets, enhancing the protection of consumer rights, and ensuring price stability in line with global best practices, which supports the growth and sustainability of the national economy.
Al Marri emphasized that the UAE, thanks to its wise leadership, has placed great importance on developing policies and legislation to enhance consumer protection, strengthen the principles of transparency and fair competition in markets, and support the building of a flexible and sustainable economic system. He noted that the country is keen to provide a safe and stable consumer environment, which consolidates the UAE's status as a leading global destination for quality of life and business environment competitiveness, and contributes to achieving the goals of 'We Are the UAE 2031' in building a diversified and sustainable knowledge-based economy.
He added: 'During the Higher Committee for Consumer Protection meeting, we focused on developing qualitative national initiatives aimed at enhancing market oversight, monitoring and regulating price movements, and combating and preventing harmful consumer practices in accordance with the highest standards of transparency, justice, and security. We prioritize achieving a balance between the interests of consumers, suppliers, and distributors, enhancing trust in local markets, and opening direct communication channels with consumers to ensure an effective response to various complaints and inquiries.'
Local economic development departments across the country's emirates, in coordination with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, continue intensive efforts in monitoring markets, regulating prices, and combating counterfeit and adulterated goods. The local departments conducted over 76,500 inspection tours across various markets in the first half of 2025, resulting in 4,908 violations as part of an integrative partnership between the Ministry and local entities to protect consumers and enhance market integrity.
The Committee reviewed the key results and indicators of the ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism to enhance monitoring and oversight of the country's markets, the most prominent of which were receiving 2,297 complaints since the beginning of 2025 until early November, and the number of recalls for non-compliant goods reached 79 requests, covering 309,484 items during the first nine months of 2025.
The Committee also discussed efforts to raise awareness among consumers and market participants about various types of fraud and phishing. Committee members were briefed on the measures applied by the country's regulatory authorities, new mechanisms for early detection of cyber-fraud attempts, and achieving rapid response by employing artificial intelligence technologies in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, Dubai Police, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and Digital Government, economic development departments, and other relevant federal and local entities in the country.
The meeting also saw the presentation of guiding guidelines for food delivery platforms in the emirate of Dubai to enhance competitiveness and fair trade, encourage responsible business conduct, and attract more investment in this vital sector.
The Committee called on consumers to communicate directly with relevant regulatory authorities, share their experiences, complaints, and inquiries through the official website and smart app of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, which will reinforce the Ministry's role as a reliable legislative and regulatory entity in the country by raising awareness of consumers' rights and obligations and ensuring the application of best practices in handling complaints and feedback.
