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Integrity Scorecard

2008 Assessment

Argentina: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Argentina: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Business Licensing and Regulation
Indicators		Score
70	Are business licenses available to all citizens?	63
71	Are there transparent business regulatory requirements for basic health, environmental, and safety standards?	100
72	Does government effectively enforce basic health, environmental, and safety standards on businesses?	50

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Are business licenses available to all citizens?

70a: In law, anyone may apply for a business license.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: "Sociedades Comerciales" Law 19.550 for organizing entities (of two or more people). Decree 618/1997. The Federal Administration of Public Incomes is the agency responsible. [ LINK ]

70b: In law, a complaint mechanism exists if a business license request is denied.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Decree 618/1997 The Federal Administration of Public Incomes (AFIP) is the agency responsible.

70c: In practice, citizens can obtain any necessary business license (i.e. for a small import business) within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments: Anyone who wants to run a commercial activity must register in the City Council and the AFIP.

References: Julieta Arenoso, University of Buenos Aires, September 2008

70d: In practice, citizens can obtain any necessary business license (i.e. for a small import business) at a reasonable cost.

Score:

100

Comments: The cost is not an obstacle to obtain a business licence. Sometimes the procedures work as obstacles, more than their costs.

References: Julieta Arenoso, University of Buenos Aires, September 2007

Are there transparent business regulatory requirements for basic health, environmental, and safety standards?

71a: In law, basic business regulatory requirements for meeting public health standards are transparent and publicly available.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Health and Security in Work Law 19.587: [ LINK ]

Decree 351/79: [ LINK ]

71b: In law, basic business regulatory requirements for meeting public environmental standards are transparent and publicly available.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Health and Security in Work Law 19.587. Article 6 c): [ LINK ]

Decree 351/79

71c: In law, basic business regulatory requirements for meeting public safety standards are transparent and publicly available.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Health and Security in Work Law 19.587 Decree 351/79

Does government effectively enforce basic health, environmental, and safety standards on businesses?

72a: In practice, business inspections by government officials to ensure public health standards are being met are carried out in a uniform and even-handed manner.

Score:

100

Comments: Bribery exists. The fire that destroyed "Cromañón" (a place where rock bands played for large audiences,) in which 194 people died, revelead the lack of control and an important mechanism of corruption in obtaining "acceptable standards of functioning" for the building. The judiciary process still continues.

References: Leandro Cacioni, Ministry of Employment, September 2008. The Labor Ministry has increased the number of inspectors since 2004.

72b: In practice, business inspections by government officials to ensure public environmental standards are being met are carried out in a uniform and even-handed manner.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Leandro Cacioni, Ministry of Employment, September 2008. Idem 72a

72c: In practice, business inspections by government officials to ensure public safety standards are being met are carried out in a uniform and even-handed manner.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Leandro Cacioni, Ministry of Employment, September 2008 Idem 72a