Ministry of Economy to boost protection of consumers

The UAE Ministry of Economy intends to introduce measures next month to ensure better protection for consumers who buy new or used products and services, a ministry official was quoted on Thursday as saying.

The measures include better warranty terms and post-maintenance guarantee for consumers provided they have the necessary invoice, said Hashim Al Nuiaimi, director of the ministry’s consumer protection section.

Quoted by the Arabic language daily Al Khaleej, Nuaimi said the new rules would apply to the purchase invoice for new and second hand products and services as well as bills for repair and maintenance services.

He said the measures include a six-month warranty for serviced durable items and three-month guarantee for electronics, starting from the date of delivery.

The bill also stipulates that the supplier or dealer must provide all spare parts for durables for a period of at least five years.

“The ministry is planning to enforce these measures to guarantee the rights of consumers from next month,” Nuaimi said.

“We are also planning to launch a plan to educate consumers on the warranty rights granted to them by the law for all products and services. The enforcement of those measures is part of the ministry’s ongoing programme to ensure better protection for consumers and increase their awareness.”