Dubai has rolled out new regulations to oversee engineering consultancy offices across the emirate. The legislation requires that all entities engaged in engineering-related activities obtain proper authorisation and registration with Dubai Municipality.
Regulation on Engineering Consultancy
The new law strictly prohibits individuals or entities from carrying out engineering consultancy work in Dubai without a valid licence. The scope of these activities covers a wide range of fields, including architectural, civil, electrical, mechanical, electronic, mining, petroleum, chemical, coastal, and geological engineering, among others.
Furthermore, no individual or company may present themselves as an engineering consultancy without holding an official trade licence and Dubai Municipality registration. This registration must specify the office’s classification, technical personnel, approved areas of practice, and other key details.
Consultancy firms are not permitted to operate outside their authorised scope, hire unregistered engineers, or collaborate with unlicensed companies to perform engineering consultancy services in the emirate.
Issued under the direction of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, Law No. (14) of 2025 provides the legal foundation for the regulation of engineering consultancy activities throughout Dubai.
Categories of Engineering Consultancies
The law identifies several types of engineering consultancy offices to which its provisions apply:
- Local firms established within Dubai.
- Branches of UAE-based consultancies with a minimum of three consecutive years of experience.
- Branches of foreign firms with at least ten years of continuous experience in engineering consultancy.
- Joint ventures formed between local and international offices with a minimum of ten years of experience.
- Engineering advisory offices owned by registered engineers with at least ten years of professional experience.
- Engineering audit offices authorised to perform third-party reviews in consultancy activities.
Registration and Classification
The legislation outlines the procedures and conditions for registration, including registration duration, cancellation criteria, office classification standards, and obligations of both offices and technical staff. It also specifies the requirements for registering and deregistering engineers and other professionals involved in consultancy operations.
Unified Digital System
Dubai Municipality, working alongside other relevant authorities, will develop a unified electronic system integrated with the “Invest in Dubai” platform. This system will handle registration applications, determine classifications, issue professional competency certificates, and manage other administrative tasks related to engineering consultancy practices.
A comprehensive registry will also be maintained, detailing each licensed consultancy’s classification, authorised scope, and technical workforce. The Municipality will regularly review and update classification standards and issue competency certificates for qualified professionals.
Permanent Regulatory Committee
A Permanent Committee for the Regulation and Development of Engineering Consultancy Activities will be established in Dubai. The committee members will be appointed by the Chairman of the Executive Council and will oversee the implementation and development of the sector’s regulatory framework.
Penalties and Enforcement
Violations of the law may result in fines of up to AED 100,000, with increased penalties for repeat offences within a single year. Additional disciplinary actions may include:
- Temporary suspension of the consultancy office (up to one year)
- Downgrading of classification
- Removal from the official registry
- Revocation of trade licences
- Suspension of employees
- Cancellation of professional certificates
- Deregistration of engineers
- Notification of violations to the UAE Society of Engineers
Firms penalised under this law may appeal in writing within 30 days of being notified. The competent committee will issue a final decision within another 30 days, which will be binding and communicated within five working days.
Compliance Period
All engineering consultancy offices and their employees must regularise their status within one year from the date the law takes effect. Extensions may be granted if necessary. Expiring registrations during this period can be renewed, provided firms commit to full compliance with the new requirements.
The law will be published in the Official Gazette and will take effect six months after publication.
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