The UAE has begun enforcing stricter regulations to combat counterfeit, adulterated and spoiled goods. Under the rules, suppliers must recall such products from the market within 24 hours of receiving an official order.

The regulations form part of the executive rules for the Federal Commercial Fraud Law, which took effect in the UAE on August 13, 2026.

Under the regulations, suppliers must stop selling and distributing the goods upon receiving notice, inform stores and outlets that received the product, and begin withdrawing it from markets and warehouses.

Suppliers must also publish product recall notices in Arabic and English within 48 hours. If the goods pose a risk to health, safety or the environment, the authorities may require an earlier public warning.

If a supplier fails to act within 24 hours, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism or the relevant local authority may recall the goods directly and recover the costs from the supplier.

UAE law does not limit commercial fraud to the sale of counterfeit goods. Providing false information about a product’s nature, quantity, characteristics, origin, ingredients or expiry date may also constitute an offence.

The import, production, storage, transport, advertising or sale of counterfeit, adulterated or spoiled goods is also prohibited, and liability is not limited to retailers. Importers, manufacturers, marketers, sellers, warehouse operators and other supply chain participants may also be subject to the regulations.

Some offences carry penalties of up to two years in prison and fines ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh1 million. In more serious cases, including those involving goods that pose a risk to human or animal health or certain food, pharmaceutical and agricultural products, fines may rise to Dh2 million.

Courts may also order the confiscation or destruction of non-compliant goods and close the offender’s business premises for up to six months. For repeat offences, penalties may be doubled and the closure period extended to one year.

Under the law, consumers who unknowingly purchase counterfeit or defective goods may also request a refund or replacement.