Legislation Details
- Full Title: Cabinet Resolution Regarding Rewards for Reporting Illicit Trade in Goods
- Law Type: Cabinet Resolution
- Law Number: No. (141) of 2024
- Issued Date: 31 Dec 2024
- Effective Date: 15 Jan 2025
- Official Gazette: No. 791
- Sector: Security and Safety
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 19
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Cabinet Resolution aims to encourage community participation in detecting crimes related to the illicit trade of goods in the UAE. It establishes a system of financial rewards for whistleblowers who provide information that leads to the discovery of such illicit trade activities. The Resolution empowers the Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation (EOCN) as the competent authority to receive and evaluate reports, determine reward amounts, and maintain confidentiality of whistleblowers. This legislation is significant for businesses and individuals in the UAE, as it provides an incentive for reporting illicit trade practices that undermine fair competition and national security. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Rewards for Reporting Illicit Trade in Goods, 2024, Art. 1-2)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The scope of this Cabinet Resolution is to regulate the system of financial rewards for individuals who report acts of illicit trade in goods that are subject to the control of the Competent Authority under Federal Decree-Law No. (43) of 2021. The purpose is to activate community participation in detecting crimes related to illicit trade and encourage the reporting of such acts. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Rewards for Reporting Illicit Trade in Goods, 2024, Art. 2-3)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The Resolution provides the following key definitions:
- Competent Authority: The Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation (EOCN).
- Goods: Items, systems, equipment, components, software or technology included in the table of goods subject to the control of the Competent Authority under Federal Decree-Law No. (43) of 2021.
- Whistleblower: The person who submits a report to the Competent Authority regarding the illicit trade in goods subject to Federal Decree-Law No. (43) of 2021, and whose report led to their discovery.
- Law Enforcement Authorities: Federal and local authorities entrusted under their legislation to carry out offences combating, investigating and evidence-gathering, including Money Laundering and terrorism financing and financing illegal organizations.
(Cabinet Resolution Regarding Rewards for Reporting Illicit Trade in Goods, 2024, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The main obligations under this Resolution are: 1. The Competent Authority (EOCN) must maintain the confidentiality of the whistleblower's personal information and data, and treat all reports with complete confidentiality. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Rewards for Reporting Illicit Trade in Goods, 2024, Art. 5) 2. The whistleblower must not be a contributor or participant in the illicit trade in the goods subject of the report, and must not be an employee of the Competent Authority or a relative of any of its employees up to the second degree. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Rewards for Reporting Illicit Trade in Goods, 2024, Art. 6)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The Competent Authority responsible for enforcing this Resolution is the Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation (EOCN). The EOCN has the following powers and responsibilities: 1. Using information provided by whistleblowers to detect illicit trade in goods. 2. Determining the means and procedures for receiving reports. 3. Determining the data that the report should include. 4. Determining the amount of money to be allocated as financial rewards. 5. Determining the procedures for approving and disbursing financial rewards. 6. Specifying the requirements for evidence, substantiation, and documentation of whistleblower information. 7. Creating a special record for whistleblowers and the rewards paid to them. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Rewards for Reporting Illicit Trade in Goods, 2024, Art. 4)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The legislation does not specify any penalties for non-compliance with this Cabinet Resolution.
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The Resolution stipulates that the financial reward for whistleblowers shall not be less than 3,000 Dirhams and not more than 25,000 Dirhams. The Competent Authority is responsible for determining the exact amount of the reward based on the criteria outlined in Article 7. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Rewards for Reporting Illicit Trade in Goods, 2024, Art. 7)
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The legislation does not specify any exemptions or exceptions to the application of this Cabinet Resolution.
When did this law come into effect?
This Cabinet Resolution shall enter into force on the day following its publication date in the Official Gazette, which was 14 January 2025. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding Rewards for Reporting Illicit Trade in Goods, 2024, Art. 9)
Source Documents
This article analyses Cabinet Resolution Regarding Rewards for Reporting Illicit Trade in Goods for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.