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The Ministry of Economy (MoEc) has outlined its plan to strengthen the supervision of prices of products and services in the country's markets during Ramadan 2024.
The goal is to safeguard consumer rights within a comprehensive and leading consumer ecosystem that is in line with global standards, thus maintaining a balanced trade-consumer relationship in the UAE.
Through this plan, the ministry aims to bolster its collaboration with partners in enforcing consumer protection laws and regulations in the country. It also seeks to educate consumers about the country's legislative framework for consumer protection and guide them towards making informed consumption choices.
Abdullah Sultan Al Fan Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Monitoring and Follow Up Sector at the Ministry of Economy, emphasised that the UAE is moving forward in establishing a comprehensive regulatory and legal framework to safeguard consumers and guarantee their rights.
He pointed out that the ministry consistently works in cooperation with relevant government bodies at the federal and local levels, particularly through the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection, engaging and coordinating with the cooperative sector, private sector and other stakeholders to create a safe and favourable environment for consumers when buying products or using services.
“The Consumer Protection Department at the ministry organised over 26 meetings with suppliers of essential goods in the country in 2023. These goods include cooking oil, eggs, dairy products, rice, sugar, poultry, legumes, bread and wheat.
All these meetings were aimed at ensuring the adequate availability of products to meet consumer needs during Ramadan 2024,” he said.
Al Shamsi added: “The UAE implements best policies to ensure a strategic supply of all vital goods required by citizens, residents and visitors in the country, in ample quantities for extended periods.”
He also pointed out that as Ramadan approaches, the UAE markets see a substantial increase in the availability of goods and products, especially that of essential consumer items.
He further emphasised the ministry’s commitment to meeting all consumer needs and facilitating their access to these goods effortlessly and without any unjustified price hikes and providing the quantities they require.
In addition, Al Shamsi explained that the prices of essential goods cannot be increased without prior approval from the Ministry and relevant authorities, following the pricing policy for basic consumer goods.
This policy includes a ban on raising prices for nine key items: cooking oil, eggs, dairy, rice, sugar, poultry, legumes, bread and wheat.
The enactment of Federal Decree Law No. 5 of 2023 amending certain provisions of Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 on consumer protection, along with its executive regulations, has strengthened consumer rights and supported national efforts to tighten price regulation in the UAE’s markets.
This involves the imposition of over 43 obligations on suppliers and implementing comprehensive regulatory measures to promote fair business practices.
New initiatives
Al Shamsi reviewed a series of new initiatives that the ministry, in collaboration with relevant federal and local authorities and economic development departments, seeks to implement during the next phase. They will promote a safe environment for consumers in the country and raise it to new levels of competitiveness and prosperity. These initiatives include:
Market Tnspection Tours
Al Shamsi revealed that in 2023, the ministry's teams carried out nearly 96,200 inspection tours, resulting in the detection of 6,645 violations. The number of inspections carried out by the ministry in January and February 2024 totalled approximately 620.
He noted that these tours form part of the ministry’s efforts to further monitor markets and outlets and assess merchants’ commitment to price labelling, as well as prevent cases of commercial fraud and trademark infringements.
Al Shamsi also confirmed the availability of alternatives to consumers, giving them the option to choose products based on their purchasing needs and budget.
This allows them the flexibility to shift from one brand to another when its price is higher, the quality is low, or there are other competitive advantages. This is of great significance since the purchasing decisions of consumers are a key and critical factor that influences prices, market trends, and supply and demand.
He pointed out the key role consumers play as partners in the market monitoring efforts by interacting with regulatory bodies and contacting the ministry or relevant authorities through available channels to file complaints.
The can also report harmful business practices for consumer protection, or submit proposals and ideas that contribute to the development of the consumer protection culture in the country by dialing 8001222.
He called on consumers to adhere to conscious purchasing practices such as retaining the invoice, which is the first step towards securing their rights and matching them with what they had purchased.
Invoices guarantee that any complaints regarding the violation of consumer rights are lodged with the relevant competent authority.
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