United Arab Emirates

Standards

National standards organizations

Integration in the international standards network

In real terms the United Arab Emirates do not have any authority in the field of Standardisation. However, the Emirates and national governments are currently studying the applications for standardisation. Besides, this is what they do in the field of BTP. The government agencies and private companies stipulate that the standards must be studied on a case by case basis. It is only in 1993 that the first company in this country received an ISO 9000 certification.
The food products under labels must carry a trade name and a trade mark, dates of production and expiry date of consumption as well as country of origin, name of manufacturer, net weight and composition of the product. These indications can figure in Arabic / English. English is also tolerated.

Classification of standards

Online consultation of standards

Certification organizations

Legal framework

Independence of justice

The legal system is not independent.

Equal treatment of nationals and foreigners

The judiciary does not guarantee an impartial trial to a foreign national.

The language of justice

The classical Arabic is the official language of the courts but Arabic of the Gulf and the English language can be used in all federal courts. In the local courts only Arabic is used.

Having recourse to an interpreter

One can ask for an interpreter.

Sources of the law and legal similarities

The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) is a federation of seven Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Dubai, Ra's al Khaymah, Quwayn and Sharjah. These Emirates are absolute monarchies. Each one is governed by an Emir who controls its administration. Each Emir manages independently the resources of his Emirate.
The Federal Supreme Council (FSC) consisting of the seven Emirs is the highest constitutional authority in the United Arab Emirates; it holds both executive and legislature powers. The legislative authority called the Federal National Council (FNC) plays only an advisory role. Its members are appointed by the FSC to serve for a term of 2-years.
The participation of the citizens in the political activities is non-existent in the U.A.E. Since the creation of the federation in 1971, the FSC has not made any changes in its principle of delegation of powers within the federal government. The Emir of Abu Dhabi, the largest oil (petroleum) producing Emirate, was elected President of the U.A.E., and the Emir of Dubai, a commercial centre & a major oil producing Emirate, was appointed as the Vice-president and Prime Minister.
The federal legal system was introduced in 1971 which applies to all the Emirates except Dubai and Ra's al Khaymah. The main power of authority (particularly that related with business and companies) falls within the jurisdiction of the federal authorities; the national authorities are only authorized to issue decrees related to the local businesses. The classical Arabic is the official language of the courts but Arabic of the Gulf and the English language can be used in all federal courts. In the local courts only Arabic is used, but one can ask for an interpreter.
The United Arab Emirates is ruled by law and the level of corruption is low in the companies, the public administration and the judiciary system. Nevertheless, the legal system is not independent and the judiciary does not guarantee an impartial trial to a foreign national.

Consulting national laws online

Intellectual Property

National organizations

In 1992, the Emirates voted three laws for the protection of intellectual Property : one law regarding the copyright of authors, another law regarding trade marks and the third law pertaining to patents.
The UAE have been members of the WIPO (World Organisation of Intellectual Property) since 1975. The UAE are members of the WTO (World Trade Organisation). They are looking forward to the creation of a legal framework in conformity with the requirements of TRIPS Agreement (Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights) within three years from now. They have not signed the Berne Convention (concerning the copyright of authors) and the Madrid Convention (concerning trade- marks). They are signatories to the Paris Convention ( patents and industrial drawings and designs). If the federal laws respect almost all the clauses of these conventions, in practice a certain number of risks still exists.

International membership

Member of the WIPO
Signatory to the Paris Convention

Tax rates