Dubai Municipality has suspended two engineering consultancies from licensing new projects for six months. Inspectors found that both firms violated licensing rules, breached ethical standards, and ignored municipal regulations.
As a result, the municipality enforced disciplinary action to preserve project integrity and uphold engineering ethics. In addition, officials introduced a revamped contractor rating system to enhance accountability across the engineering sector.
This new framework will begin in early 2026 and features stricter performance benchmarks for engineering firms. Moreover, it will evaluate companies based on financial health, Emiratisation efforts, and community involvement.
Maryam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Buildings Regulation and Permits Agency, confirmed the plan’s strategic importance. She stated that the system will raise Dubai’s global competitiveness while improving transparency in project selection.
According to her, the rating will guide developers and owners toward the most qualified consultants and contractors. The initiative, she emphasized, reflects Dubai’s ongoing push for excellence and innovation in infrastructure development.
Furthermore, the municipality plans to host frequent consultations with stakeholders before finalizing the new framework. These sessions will allow firms to share feedback and influence the development of fair evaluation criteria.
Municipal officials also confirmed that inspections at consultancy offices will continue regularly across the entire emirate. Through these thorough checks, authorities aim to ensure full compliance with all technical and ethical guidelines, maintaining high standards throughout the industry.
Dubai Municipality remains committed to creating a strong, reliable environment for engineering professionals and investors alike. With this update, the city seeks to strengthen trust between public institutions and private-sector partners.
In the coming months, the agency will release more details to help firms prepare for the new system and ensure a smooth transition. Until then, firms are strongly encouraged to align operations with the upcoming standards, review internal compliance policies thoroughly, and seek professional guidance where necessary.
