Dubai Advances the New Regulatory Framework for Contracting Activities

The Executive Council of Dubai has issued Resolution No. 42 of 2026 concerning the Formation of the Committee for the Regulation and Development of Contracting Activities, as a further step in implementing the regulatory framework introduced by Law No. 7 of 2025 Regulating the Practice of Contracting Activities in the Emirate of Dubai.

The Resolution was issued on 7 September 2026 and takes effect from the date of its issuance.

What is New?

The Resolution formally establishes the Committee that will play a central role in regulating and developing contracting activities under the new Law.

The Committee is chaired by the Executive Director of the Building Regulation and Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality, with a representative of Dubai Municipality serving as Deputy Chair. It also includes representatives from the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, Dubai Development Authority, Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority, Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, the Department of Economy and Tourism, and the UAE Society of Engineers.

Representatives of those entities must have the relevant expertise and specialisation in contracting activities and must hold a position not below the level of Department Director or equivalent.

Dubai Municipality is also responsible for providing the Committee with the administrative and technical support required for it to perform its functions under the Law and the decisions issued pursuant to it.

Why Does This Matter to the Contracting Sector?

Law No. 7 of 2025 does not merely regulate licensing. It introduces a broader framework governing contracting activities, contractor registration and classification, the scope of activities that contractors may undertake, and the technical and professional requirements applicable to those activities.

The formation of the Committee is therefore an important step in moving the new framework from legislation into practical implementation. The Committee is expected to play a key role in coordinating the work of the different regulatory authorities and in developing the detailed requirements governing contracting activities in Dubai.

For contractors, the significance of the Resolution goes beyond the creation of a new administrative body. Decisions and requirements developed within this framework may have a direct impact on contractor classification, the activities contractors are permitted to perform, registration requirements, technical staffing requirements, and regulatory compliance.

What Should Contractors Do Now?

Contractors and companies currently operating in Dubai should closely monitor the implementing decisions and regulatory requirements issued under the Law and should review their existing regulatory position, including their licences, classification, registered activities, and technical personnel.

This is particularly important for existing contractors, as the Law requires them to regularise their status in accordance with its provisions within one year from the date on which the Law came into force.

The Resolution should therefore not be viewed merely as the formation of an administrative committee. It represents a practical step towards the implementation of Dubai’s new regulatory regime for contracting activities.

Conclusion

Executive Council Resolution No. 42 of 2026 marks a further stage in the implementation of Dubai’s new contracting framework by establishing the body responsible for coordinating and developing the regulatory structure for the sector.

Contractors should now focus on monitoring the implementing requirements issued under the Law and ensuring that their existing registration, classification, and permitted activities remain compliant within the applicable transitional period.

For further information regarding Law No. 7 of 2025, Executive Council Resolution No. 42 of 2026, or their implications for contracting businesses operating in Dubai, please contact:

Abdulmajeed Ahmed Alsweedy Senior Counsel [email protected]