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Dubai’s new engineering law: Comply or face Dh100,000 fine and ban

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Dubai is getting serious about engineering quality and professional standards. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, has just issued a comprehensive new law (Law No. 14 of 2025) that fundamentally reshapes how engineering consultancy offices operate across the emirate. 

This new regulation ensures that every company, from architecture to electrical engineering, must be officially licensed, meet high international standards, and prove its competence. 

If firms fail to comply, by operating outside their approved scope or employing unregistered staff, they face severe penalties, including hefty fines up to Dh100,000 and being removed from the registry entirely.

Here are the key aspects of the law:

Objectives and Scope

The law aims to:

  • Advance Dubai’s engineering consultancy sector.
  • Regulate practices according to international standards.
  • Classify service providers based on their technical, financial, and managerial competence.
  • Encourage investment, remove obstacles, and ensure timely project execution.
  • Attract global companies, positioning Dubai as a key hub.

The law covers engineering activities in all fields, including architectural, civil, electrical, electronic, mechanical, mining, petroleum, chemical, coastal, and geological engineering, among others.

Regulatory Requirements and Prohibitions

Authorisation and Licensing

  • No one is allowed to take up engineering consultancy activities without proper authorisation.
  • Individuals or offices cannot portray themselves as engineering consultancy offices without a valid trade licence and registration with Dubai Municipality.
  • The registration must detail the office’s licensed scope, classification, technical staff, and other essential information.

Operational Prohibitions

Engineering consultancy offices are specifically prohibited from:

  • Operating beyond their licensed scope.
  • Employing unregistered engineers.
  • Contracting with unlicensed companies to carry out consultancy work in Dubai.

Dubai Municipality’s Role

Dubai Municipality is central to implementing the law:

  • It will establish a unified electronic system across the emirate, linked to the ‘Invest in Dubai’ platform. This system manages applications for registration, classification, issuing professional competency certificates, and other related matters.
  • The Municipality oversees, operates, and updates the system and maintains a comprehensive registry of licensed offices, their scope, classification, and technical staff.
  • It also regularly approves and updates the classification system for construction, building, or demolition companies and issues professional competency certificates for their technical staff.

Committee and Office Types

Permanent Committee

The law mandates the establishment of a permanent ‘Committee for the Regulation and Development of Engineering Consultancy Activities’ in Dubai, appointed by the Chairman of The Executive Council and chaired by a Dubai Municipality representative.

Types of Engineering Consultancy Offices

The law defines several types of registered offices:

  • Local companies established in Dubai.
  • Branches of UAE-based offices with 3 consecutive years of experience.
  • Branches of foreign offices with 10 consecutive years of experience.
  • Joint endeavours are formed between a local office and one or more foreign offices (where the foreign office has 10 years of experience).
  • Engineering advisory offices providing opinion and consultancy services, owned by registered engineers, each with a minimum of 10 years of experience.
  • Engineering audit offices are authorised to conduct third-party audits.

Violations and Penalties

Fines and Measures

Violators may face fines of up to Dh100,000, with the penalty increasing for repeat offences within the same year. Authorities may also take punitive measures, including:

  • Suspending the office for up to one year.
  • Downgrading the office’s classification.
  • Removing the office or the engineers from the registry.
  • Cancelling commercial licences.
  • Suspending staff or revoking certificates.

Appeals

Parties affected by fines or other measures can submit a written appeal within 30 days of notification. The competent authority’s committee will decide within 30 days, and the decision is final and binding.

Implementation

  • The new law annuls Local Order No. (89) of 1994 and its amendments.
  • Engineering consultancy offices and their staff must regularise their status within one year of the law taking effect.
  • The law will come into effect six months from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

Announcements

India’s BCKIC 2025 Conclave to unlock $10–50 billion green market access for UAE and GCC leaders

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The stage is set for one of the most significant India–Middle East business dialogues of the decade, as the Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster (BCKIC) 2025 Conclave prepares to open in India this November, offering, according to organisers, a $10–50 billion sustainability and investment opportunity for Gulf-based leaders.

Scheduled for November 21 and 22 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, the two-day conclave will bring together senior representatives from government entities, sovereign funds, and the private sector across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider GCC region. 

The event is organised by the BCKIC Foundation, supported by the Government of Odisha’s Department of Energy, under the aegis of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

Themed around The Next Wave of Sustainability Policy and Investment Flows”, the summit seeks to bridge India’s rapidly expanding green economy, valued at over $165 billion, with the Middle East’s capital, innovation and policy frameworks under Vision 2030 and UAE Centennial 2071.

“This is not just another global summit, it’s a strategic inflection point for India–Middle East collaboration,” said Dr Mrutyunjay Suar, Chairman of the BCKIC Foundation.

“From green hydrogen and water security to circular economy and AI-driven sustainability, the synergies between India’s innovation scale and the Gulf’s execution capacity are unparalleled. Missing this window could mean losing the first-mover advantage in shaping global sustainability frameworks.”

A New Era of India–Middle East Sustainability Partnership

The conclave comes at a pivotal moment for both regions. Following India’s G20 presidency in 2023 and the UAE’s hosting of COP28, both nations have emerged as global voices in sustainability transition and climate finance.

Dr. Suar noted that the conclave will act as a strategic platform for Gulf leaders to consolidate their role within the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), while also gaining access to India’s technology, research, and policy innovation ecosystem.

“Gulf sovereign funds now control over $2 trillion in assets and are increasingly looking for sustainable, high-return projects,” he said. 

“India’s innovation and affordability, combined with the Middle East’s capital and implementation speed, make this partnership an unprecedented opportunity to move from commitment to concrete outcomes.”

Access to Proven Technologies and MoU-Ready Projects

Middle Eastern delegates will gain direct access to Indian policymakers and experts from NITI Aayog, DST, and the Principal Scientific Adviser’s Office, with discussions focused on green hydrogen, renewable energy, waste-to-energy, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

The event will also unveil a pipeline of over 50 proven Indian technologies relevant to Gulf market needs, ranging from water management systems to digital smart-city solutions, many of which have demonstrated cost efficiencies of 30–50% compared to Western alternatives.

The BCKIC Foundation confirmed that the conclave is structured to deliver tangible outcomes, with more than 20 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) already in advanced stages of preparation. The targeted projects are expected to offer internal rates of return (IRR) between 15% and 25%, appealing to investors seeking both profitability and environmental impact.

Odisha: A Live Model for Sustainable Urban Innovation

The conclave will take place in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, one of India’s fastest-growing hubs for renewable energy and smart cities. The venue itself will serve as a live showcase of sustainable urban development, featuring zero-waste hospitality, circular economy practices, and local sourcing models.

Organisers say the event is designed to foster lasting bilateral frameworks that will drive long-term cooperation between India and the Middle East across sustainability, technology transfer, and impact investment.

“This is the decade of decisive climate action and cross-regional collaboration,” Dr Suar added. 

“The BCKIC 2025 Conclave will not just discuss ideas but catalyse partnerships that define the global sustainability roadmap for years to come.”

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Dubai introduces world’s first smart gold testing lab: Get your jewellery checked in under a minute

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Dubai just made testing your gold and jewellery a whole lot easier. The Dubai Central Laboratory, part of Dubai Municipality, has launched the Smart Gold and Jewellery Testing Lab, the first-ever fully automated device that can check the purity of gold, silver, and platinum, all without human help. And the best part? Results come back in under 60 seconds.

Unveiled at GITEX Global 2025, this cutting-edge innovation uses AI, X-ray tech, and advanced spectroscopy to deliver highly accurate readings. It’s designed to make life simpler for traders, buyers, and jewellery enthusiasts, reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as a global hub for precious metals.

How It Works – Quick, Smart, and Totally Hands-Free

The device is entirely autonomous. That means no staff intervention, no waiting around, and minimal room for error. It’s smart enough to self-calibrate, monitor its own performance remotely, and respond instantly to any issues. According to Dr Naseem Mohammed Rafi, Acting CEO of Dubai Municipality’s Environment, Health, and Safety Agency, this is a “game-changer” for precision, speed, and reliability in the precious metals sector.

Where You Can Try It First

The first device will be installed at the iconic Gold Souk in Deira, with plans to roll it out across other key locations in Dubai. This move is part of Dubai Municipality’s push to create a fully integrated testing ecosystem for gold and jewellery, ensuring quality, compliance, and peace of mind for everyone, from traders to shoppers.

Whether you’re a collector, a trader, or just curious about the purity of your jewellery, this smart lab makes checking your gold fast, easy, and reliable.

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Abu Dhabi T10 levels up its game with BC.GAME Esports as principal partner

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The Abu Dhabi T10 League has announced BC.GAME Esports as its Principal Partner for the 2025 season. This landmark partnership connects the energy of T10 cricket with the fast-growing global esports ecosystem, driving brand visibility and fan engagement to new levels.

The alliance will deliver powerful exposure across broadcast, digital, and in-stadia platforms, while introducing esports-inspired activations to enhance the tournament experience for fans. The aim is to bring the worlds of live cricket and competitive gaming closer than ever before.

The Abu Dhabi T10 will run from November 18 to 30, 2025, at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, featuring top international players competing in action-packed 10-over matches. With BC.GAME Esports on board, the league will strengthen its appeal to younger, digital-first audiences across global markets.

“We’re excited to welcome BC.GAME Esports as our Principal Partner,” said a T10 League spokesperson. “Season 9 will be our biggest yet, with expanded global reach and enhanced fan experiences — and we are confident that BC.GAME Esports will return again next year.”

A BC.GAME Esports spokesperson added: “Partnering with Abu Dhabi T10 gives us the perfect platform to expand our community and create unique experiences that unite cricket fans and gamers worldwide.”

This partnership reflects Abu Dhabi T10’s commitment to innovation, youth engagement, and global growth, making 2025 one of its most exciting seasons yet.

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