Dubai Announces New Construction Evaluation Standards, Suspends 2 Engineering Firms

Dubai Municipality announced on Sunday a major update to its 'Contractors and Engineering Offices Evaluation System'. The authority introduced a new set of performance standards and indicators aimed at improving quality, transparency, and accountability in the construction sector.

Set to take effect in early 2026, the revised system will offer a more accurate and comprehensive framework for evaluating engineering consultancies and contractors. It aims to ensure high professional and ethical standards across the industry, contributing to the overall safety and efficiency of construction projects in the city.

According to the civic body, the new criteria will assess areas such as financial stability, Emiratisation rates, social responsibility, timely project delivery, and support for innovative projects that adopt advanced technologies. Property owner feedback will also continue to play a key role in evaluations.

This will enhance the ongoing efforts to develop the construction and building sector in Dubai into a smarter, more sustainable, and pioneering one, aligning with the highest international standards and benchmarks.

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The evaluation criteria will be developed in collaboration with contracting companies and consulting offices operating in Dubai. This will be achieved by organising regular sessions and meetings with them to listen to their opinions, suggestions, and comments before the system is officially adopted.

Engineer Maryam Obaid Al Muhairi, CEO of the Building Regulation and Licensing Agency at Dubai Municipality, emphasised that this update reflects Dubai Municipality's commitment to raising the quality of buildings and enhancing its global competitiveness.

She said the new system also aims to develop its proactive services and improve the environment for practising engineering professions and consulting offices, thus instilling a culture of professional excellence and elevating the standards of this vital sector. This will reinforce Dubai's leadership in adopting the latest and best global construction practices.

The Dubai Municipality has also suspended two engineering consultancy offices for six months. The decision was taken after identifying professional practices that violated approved regulations, standards, and ethical guidelines. The decision was made by the Professional Practice Registration and Licensing Committee after uncovering practices that conflicted with approved regulations and professional requirements.

As a result, the two firms have also been prohibited from obtaining licences for any new projects during the suspension period.

According to the Municipality, the violations posed potential risks to the interests of property owners and developers. This decision falls within Dubai Municipality's mandate to regulate the practice of engineering consultancy and control the quality of work.

Officials from the civil body conduct periodic field visits to engineering consultancy offices to ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing the profession, as well as the implementation of all approved standards and requirements in the emirate, part of their commitment to monitoring activities related to the construction sector.

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