UAE has introduced some significant changes to its laws in 2024 to make life easier for residents. Three major new rules cover banning single-use plastics, paid parking in Dubai Mall, and pausing UAE raffles and prize draws.
Effective January 1st, importing or purchasing single-use plastic bags is banned across Dubai, with exceptions for packaging certain food items and garbage bags.
Announced by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, it is part of an initiative to phase out single-use plastics and go greener. Non-compliance will result in a Dhs200 fine. A single-use plastic bag ban has been in place in Abu Dhabi since June 2022.
Parking at Dubai Mall will soon require payment, to be implemented by Salik using automated vehicle plate recognition. Pricing is still to be announced.
Finally, popular prize draw Mahzooz has temporarily paused operations from January 1st, 2024, complying with an industry-wide mandate from UAE regulators to create a well-regulated gaming environment.