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ARTICLE · 08 JUNE 2026

UAE Competition Law: The Implementing Regulation Is Here

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n our earlier 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’s competition law framework is now complete after Cabinet Decision No. 59 of 2026 published the long-awaited Implementing Regulation on 20 April 2026.
  • Market dominance is no longer determined by the 40% share threshold alone — qualitative factors like financial resources, barriers to entry, and consumer choice now also apply.
  • Companies planning M&A deals in the UAE should budget at least six months for competition clearance due to mandatory pre-filing and review periods.

Background

In our earlier 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 Threshold Decision) under the New Law. On 20 April 2026, the UAE Council of Ministers issued the long-awaited Cabinet Decision No. 59 of 2026 on the Implementing Regulation of the New Law (the Implementing Regulation), completing the legislative

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