A Guide to Product Registration in Dubai & Across the UAE (2024)

Dubai is the most popular emirate in the United Arab Emirates and is recognised as one of the world’s top business hubs. It has the best malls with internationally acclaimed amenities, including convenient airports and seaports.

Over the years, Dubai has taken many initiatives to position itself as an attractive destination for starting a business. The government of this state has also consistently defined new legal frameworks to enhance the ease of doing business in this thriving city of opportunities.

The UAE has always been at the forefront of ensuring that both businesses and consumers are protected by their rights and that the country only allows fair trade practices.

Product registration in Dubai and across the UAE is one such regulation that focuses on protecting the safety of consumers.

Here is a comprehensive guide on everything businesses should know about product registration in Dubai and the UAE for 2024, including its importance, process, documentation required, cost, and products covered by this legislation.

What Is Product Registration

Product registration in the UAE is a regulatory framework established to strictly assure and govern consumer safety. It prohibits the import and sale of fake, low-quality products, which have the potential to threaten the well-being, health, and hygiene of the population.

Dubai and UAE authorities have mandated that every product, whether cosmetics, food, or health-related, be registered with the Municipality of the respective emirates in compliance with its regulations.

This means businesses are prohibited from producing, importing, exporting, and marketing personal care products, food, cosmetics, and medicinal goods 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.

Importance of Product Registration in the UAE

1. Legality and Compliance

The primary reason for registering business products in the UAE is to comply with the country’s regulations. Without it, selling products can become illegal. Compliance with regulatory standards is also mandatory to avoid fines, penalties, and product recalls.

2. Consumer Confidence

Registered products instil 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 may 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.

What Products Must Be Registered

Every product, whether cosmetic, food, or health-related, 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.

Pre Registration Requirements

Documentation Needed for Registration

Businesses must prepare a comprehensive documentation set 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 & 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.

Who Should Apply for Product Registration in 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.

Cost of Product Registration in the UAE

Product Registration Fees in Dubai

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.

Product Registration Fees in Abu Dhabi

Product registration fees in Abu Dhabi also vary 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.