Product Registration in Dubai and Across the UAE for 2025
Mar 7, 2025
Dubai, recognised as one of the world’s leading business hubs, has consistently defined and introduced new legal frameworks to enhance the ease of doing business in this thriving city of opportunities.
Establishing a business in Dubai and introducing new products to the market presents many opportunities for growth, but it comes with strict regulatory measures.
All areas of a business operation in the UAE are heavily monitored to maintain an ethically competitive business environment upholding fair trade practices, and to protect the rights of both the business and consumers.
Product registration in Dubai and across the UAE is one such regulation that primarily focuses on protecting the safety of consumers.
This blog will provide a comprehensive guide on everything a business should know about product registration in Dubai and the UAE for 2025, including its importance, process, documentation required, cost, and products covered under this legislation.
What Is Product Registration
Product registration in Dubai and the UAE is a regulatory framework designed to ensure and govern consumer safety and promote fair trade. It prohibits the import and sale of counterfeit or low-quality products that could threaten the health, well-being, and hygiene of consumers and the general population.
The UAE has mandated that every product, whether cosmetics, food, or health-related, be registered with the Municipality of the respective emirates in compliance with its regulations.
In other words, product registration is a legal mandate that prohibits businesses from producing, importing, exporting, and marketing personal care products, food, cosmetics, and medicinal goods that are not registered according to the applicable law.
The competent authority with which importers and regional producers are required to register their goods is the Municipality of each emirate.
Why is Product Registration in the UAE Important?
1. Legality and Compliance
The primary reason why businesses should register their products in Dubai and across the UAE is to comply with the country’s regulations. Without a valid product registration, selling products is illegal. Compliance with regulatory standards is also mandatory to avoid fines, penalties, and product recalls.
2. Consumer Confidence
Registered products instill confidence among consumers by ensuring that they are purchasing items that have passed established safety, quality, and hygiene standards.
3. Market Access
In general, markets require proper registration certificates to allow the sale of products. Without proper registration records, companies can be prevented from entering new markets.
4. Safety and Quality
Proper registration ensures products meet accepted safety and quality standards, protecting consumers and the company’s reputation.
5. Traceability
If a product line has any issues, traceability is important to quickly identify, recall, and correct them, minimising risks and negative impacts on consumers and the brand's reputation. This traceability is one of the key benefits of product registration.
Dubai Municipality's Role in Product Registration
The Dubai municipality, along with the other Emirate municipalities across the UAE, oversees and controls all the products entering the local market.
They manage a mandatory registration process which helps them eliminate counterfeit or harmful products. The municipality conducts random testing and quality inspections to protect consumer safety.
Products registered with Dubai Municipality receive a certificate, which can be requested during customs clearance.
Who Should Apply for Product Registration in Dubai & Across the UAE?
Local Manufacturers
Any business that manufactures food or cosmetic-related goods should go through the process of product registration in the UAE to legally operate in the country.
The local manufacturers should also comply with the Consumer Products Safety Section to ensure their products are properly registered.
The owners or representatives of businesses should confirm that their products have received proper registration certifications before they enter the UAE market to be legally compliant as an entity.
Importers of Products
Foreign companies or businesses that manufacture their products in overseas markets are also required to go through the product registration process in Dubai and the UAE.
This is what gives them the legal rights and authority to import goods or products into the country and local markets for trading.
The company representatives should verify that their products are properly registered before the consignment reaches Dubai, UAE.
Essential Pre Registration Requirements
Prepare Documentation for Registration
Businesses must have proper documentation for each product in their trade portfolio. This generally includes a completed application form and a label assessment that assures transparency and consumer awareness.
Once submitted, the municipality will review the information provided to verify compliance with local standards.
If any issues are identified during the review or assessment process, the applicants (business) will be required to address them by providing additional accurate documentation as requested.
Safety and Compliance Standards
Product registration in UAE and Dubai involves regular inspections, assessments, and tests to maintain high-quality safety and compliance with established product standards and regulations.
These measures ensure that only products that meet the stringent local protocols are available on the market.
Product Labeling Guidelines
Product labelling is another pre-registration requirement, as it communicates all the essential information to consumers, including usage instructions and safety warnings.
The Dubai Municipality mandates that product labels include comprehensive information to guide consumers with their purchasing decisions.
The Consumer Products Safety Section must approve the labelling of local manufacturers’ products.
The Product Registration Process in the UAE
1. Business Setup and Licensing
The Dubai Municipality mandates businesses operating in the city’s mainland or any of its free zones to register their products.
However, before product registration in Dubai Municipality can be processed, businesses must have a valid trade license. Depending on the chosen business activity, this could take 2 to 4 weeks.
2. Register With The Municipality
After obtaining a trade license, businesses can proceed with the next steps of product registration in the Dubai Municipality. They will need to submit a copy of their trade license, email address, contact information, registered office, and other information on the municipality’s online portal after being registered in the UAE.
3. Submission of Application
Businesses must submit a Products Registration Service application and pay the service fees to begin the process. Each product variation (like different sizes or packaging) needs its own application form.
Additionally, the representative must submit a copy of a legitimate label assessment for the product that needs to be registered. Only in Dubai is it possible to register online via the Municipality’s website.
4. Send In Product Details
Businesses must provide more information about their products as part of processing product registration in the UAE and get them approved for sale, import, or export.
A list of the ingredients and sending a product sample to the authorities for additional testing will also be required at this stage.
Before a product is authorized for use or consumption, businesses may be required to modify it and provide additional evidence if the authorities discover any potential problems.
5. Issuance of Certificate
If your products meet the authorities’ established standards to protect consumer rights, they will be registered with the municipality, and you will be given an electronic registration certificate to validate them.
The certificate can be displayed on goods and branding to show that they adhere to Dubai’s health and safety regulations.
The validity of the registration is for five years. In the event of any objections, the applicant should provide a reply with relevant supporting documents.
Products That Must Be Registered in Dubai and the UAE
Every product that falls into the category of cosmetic, food, or health-related/pharmaceuticals, must be registered with the Municipality of the relevant Emirates in accordance with the rules set forth by the UAE authorities.
Any of these product categories that have not been registered in accordance with the rules are prohibited from being produced, imported, exported, or marketed in the UAE.
The product registration procedure makes sure that the labels on the products provide consumers with all the information they require. This legislation allows the government to determine whether the producers or importers of the products are adhering to accepted consumer safety standards.
List of Products that are banned in the UAE
Narcotic Drugs
Betel Leaves
Goods made in Israel
E-Cigarettes
Gambling-related products
List of Goods that are tagged with Restrictive Status
Alcoholic Beverages
Rough Diamonds
Media-related products
Products related to Nuclear Energy
Cost of Product Registration in Dubai and the UAE
The application fee is typically around AED 10. The fee structure or the cost of product registration in Dubai varies significantly based on the product category. For example, the cost of product registration for medical devices or food products will likely be higher than for other categories.
In general, the cost of product registration across other Emirates and the UAE in general varies depending on the type of product and the regulatory authority involved. Additional factors such as product testing, documentation, or compliance checks affect the exact cost. For accurate and up-to-date information, it's best to consult the specific regulatory body in Abu Dhabi.
Takeaways on the Legal Process of Product Registration in Dubai
Product registration in Dubai and the UAE plays a fundamental role in maintaining consumer safety and upholding regulatory standards. This mandatory process ensures that only high-quality, compliant products enter the market, fostering transparency and fair trade practices.
Besides protecting consumers from potentially harmful goods, product registration in Dubai and the UAE also enhances the reputation of businesses that meet these standards.
Adhering to product registration regulations demonstrates a commitment to quality and compliance, contributing to a more trustworthy and competitive marketplace in one of the region’s most dynamic business environments.
