| United States: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Business Licensing and Regulation | ||
| Indicators | Score | |
| 67 | Are business licenses available to all citizens? | 94 |
| 68 | Are there transparent business regulatory requirements for basic health, environmental, and safety standards? | 100 |
| 69 | Does government effectively enforce basic health, environmental, and safety standards on businesses? | 75 |
Indicator and sub-Indicator Details
| 67 | Are business licenses available to all citizens? | |||||||
| 67a: In law, anyone may apply for a business license. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: Basic business licenses are readily available, although the specific process varies from city to city and state to state. An example process can be found at the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Web site: [ LINK ]
Peer Review Comments: I think it is worth explicitly stating that obtaining business licenses is a local matter.
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| 67b: In law, a complaint mechanism exists if a business license request is denied. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: In D.C., for example, the Office of Administrative Hearings has jurisdiction to hear appeals regarding decisions made by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. [ LINK ]
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| 67c: In practice, citizens can obtain any necessary business license (i.e. for a small import business) within a reasonable time period. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: In D.C., a licensee can get the appropriate forms on-line which are then mailed to the Department. A license then arrives in approximately two weeks. Source: recent experience starting a small business.
Peer Review Comments: We need to find additonal sources here. How about in California, for example? See: [ LINK ]
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| 67d: In practice, citizens can obtain any necessary business license (i.e. for a small import business) at a reasonable cost. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: Costs of D.C. business licenses vary by the type of business. A bakery, for example, would cost $334 ($35 application fee; $10 business activity fee (bakery); $289 license fee). [ LINK ]
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| 68 | Are there transparent business regulatory requirements for basic health, environmental, and safety standards? | |||||||
| 68a: In law, basic business regulatory requirements for meeting public health standards are transparent and publicly available. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: These vary by state. In California, for example, employers may find pertinent information at: [ LINK ]
Peer Review Comments: Food safety information at the federal and state levels can be found at [ LINK ].
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| 68b: In law, basic business regulatory requirements for meeting public environmental standards are transparent and publicly available. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: These vary by state. In California, for example, employers may find pertinent information at: [ LINK ]
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| 68c: In law, basic business regulatory requirements for meeting public safety standards are transparent and publicly available. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: These vary by state. In California, for example, employers may find pertinent information at: [ LINK ]
Peer Review Comments: Food safety info at the federal and state levels can be found at [ LINK ].
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| 69 | Does government effectively enforce basic health, environmental, and safety standards on businesses? | |||||||
| 69a: 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. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: Regulatory compliance and enforcement can be affected by politics because regulatory agencies often reflect the business-mindset of that administration. A recent GAO report, for example, found that the egg industry made several requests for changes in a 2000 Food and Drug Administration rule requiring safe-handling instructions on egg cartons to prevent food poisoning. It cited financial hardship. The final rule, issued Aug. 20, puts the safety information on the inside of the carton. "Washington's Surprisingly Flexible Rulemakers," Washington Post, August 28, 2007
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| 69b: 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. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: "Washington's Surprisingly Flexible Rulemakers," Washington Post, August 28, 2007
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| 69c: 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. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: See, for example, "Safety Agency Faces Scrutiny Amid Changes," New York Times, September 2, 2007
Peer Review Comments: In additon to food safety, the recent controversy regarding lead in toys manufactured in China comes to mind. I'm not sure about the role played by government inspectors, including whether it was positive or negative.
Peer Review Comments: Elaborate?
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