On 3 July 2023, the UAE issued Cabinet Decision No. 66 of 2023 concerning the Executive Regulations of Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 on Consumer Protection. The most prominent changes in the Executive Regulations include the additional safeguards granted to customers and guidance on prohibited clauses and conditions to be included in contracts and Terms & Conditions with customers. With the widespread use of e-commerce globally, the Executive Regulations have also brought e-commerce providers under its remit and placed additional responsibilities on such providers.
The long awaited Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 on Consumer Protection (“Consumer Protection Law”) has been issued on 10 November 2020 and is a major update which aims to revamp and repeal the old UAE consumer protection laws, being Federal Law No. 24 of 2006 (“Old Law”). Due to the rapid rise of e-commerce globally, including in the UAE, the Consumer Protection Law now acknowledges and captures e-commerce service providers. The Consumer Protection Law has also now imposed a restriction on using personal data of customers for marketing and promotion purposes.