In brief
On 20 April 2026, the UAE Cabinet issued Decision No. 59 of 2026, introducing the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree Law No. 36 of 2023 on the Regulation of Competition (“Executive Regulations”). The Executive Regulations provide long-awaited guidance on the implementation of the UAE competition regime, establishing a comprehensive framework governing, among other things: (i) the assessment of dominant positions and abusive conduct; (ii) the evaluation of predatory pricing through both cost-based and effects-based tests; (iii) the requirements and timelines applicable to exemption applications; (iv) merger control notifications and the review of economic concentrations; and (v) complaints, investigations, settlements and enforcement procedures.
The Executive Regulations will enter into force on 30 July 2026, three months after their publication in the Official Gazette. Their adoption marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the UAE competition law framework, enhancing legal certainty, transparency and predictability for businesses operating in the UAE. The increased clarity provided by the Executive Regulations is also expected to support a more active and consistent enforcement approach by the Competition Department of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism (“Ministry”).