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ARTICLE · 08 JUNE 2026

UAE Competition Law: Emergency Exemption For Essential Goods And Services

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In our previous updates, we summarised the key changes introduced by Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2023 on the Regulation of Competition (the New Law) and the notification thresholds established by Cabinet Decision...

United Arab EmiratesAntitrust/Competition Law
Christopher R. Williams
Christopher R. Williams
Amelia Bowring
Amelia Bowring

What to Know

  • The UAE has temporarily exempted essential goods and services suppliers from certain competition rules to allow cooperation during emergencies, effective until 16 June 2026.
  • Businesses can coordinate logistics, production and supply area allocation, but price coordination, bid-rigging and artificial shortages remain prohibited in all circumstances.
  • Companies relying on the exemption must notify the Ministry of Economy within 15 working days of any covered agreement taking effect.

Background

In our previous updates, we summarised the key changes introduced by Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2023 on the Regulation of Competition (the New Law) and the notification thresholds established by Cabinet Decision No. 3 of 2025. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism (the Ministry) has now issued Ministerial Decision No. 96 of 2026, dated 16 April 2026 (the Ministerial Decision).

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