Every year, the UAE implements substantial legal changes to enhance the quality of life for residents in Dubai. From the introduction of paid parking at Dubai Mall to a comprehensive prohibition on single-use plastic bags, here are three recent rules introduced in the UAE in 2024 that you should be aware of:
Ban on single-use plastics
Starting January 1, the import and purchase of single-use plastic bags in the city are prohibited, with exceptions for certain items like thin-film rolls for packaging food. Garbage bags are also exempt.
Announced by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, this initiative is part of a city-wide effort to eliminate single-use products and promote environmental sustainability.
Additional bans will be implemented in the coming years: from June 1, 2024, non-plastic single-use products will be banned, and starting January 1, 2025, a city-wide ban on various single-use plastic products, including stirrers, cups, and straws, will be enforced. By January 1, 2026, the ban will extend to plastic plates, food containers, tableware, and cups.
In the initial phase focusing on single-use plastic bags, non-compliance incurs a Dhs200 fine, doubling for subsequent violations within a year, up to a maximum of Dhs2,000.
The recent regulation surpasses the 2022 introduction of a 25-fil charge for single-use plastic bags, which became effective 18 months ago.
Dubai Mall
Salik, in collaboration with Emaar Malls, has revealed plans to introduce paid parking at Dubai Mall. The payment will cover a barrier-free system implemented by Salik.
The toll gate company’s technology will be utilized to provide a parking experience without barriers for mall customers. This will incorporate automated fee collection for ticketless parking, utilizing vehicle plate recognition to deduct charges directly from the Salik user accounts associated with the vehicles.
The launch is anticipated in the third quarter of 2024, with the pricing details yet to be disclosed. Stay tuned for further updates.
UAE temporarily suspends raffles and prize draws
Individuals aspiring to win big in UAE’s prize draws will need to delay their dreams, as operators have been directed to suspend operations. Previously, players had the chance to win varying amounts, from a few dirhams to Dh200 million, through platforms like Mahzooz and Emirates Draw.
The widely-known prize draw has produced 64 millionaires and awarded over half a billion dirhams to approximately 1.8 million winners. However, starting January 1, 2024, the draws have been temporarily halted. The brand’s website mentions, “In compliance with applicable commercial gaming regulations, Mahzooz will temporarily pause operations from January 1st, 2024. The pause is a result of an industry-wide mandate consistent with the Regulators’ new role to create a well-regulated gaming environment in the United Arab Emirates.”
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