President Signs Law Limiting Checking Businesses for Over Two Years

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a law introducing on November 1, 2015 a two-year moratorium on inspections of entrepreneurs.

According to the law, for the period from 1 November 2015 to November 1, 2017 there will be carried out only tax audits and inspections in cases of a threat to life and health of the population, national and economic security of the country.

In addition, the law does not apply to checks carried out by the General Prosecutor's Office to combat corruption.

The Head of State issued a decree on the application of additional measures on state regulation of audits in the field of entrepreneurship for the application of the above Act.

Approved by the Decree is the list of cases which may during inspections pose a serious threat to human life and health, safety and economic interests of the state.

In particular, quality control of drugs, compliance with the rules of safety and hygiene requirements will be provided by the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan.

 The Ministry of Agriculture will carry out verification of compliance with phytosanitary and veterinary requirements, the Ministry of Finance - the activities of insurance and reinsurance companies and insurance intermediaries, the Central Bank of Azerbaijan - credit institutions and their affiliated business entities, the Ministry of Emergency Situations - inspections of storage and distribution radioactive, explosive and highly dangerous substances or equipment, compliance with the rules of technical safety during work in mining industry, hydraulic devices, at the facilities of the oil and gas industry, the compliance of works and objects used by the standards of construction, technical and fire safety.

Also envisaged are checks of illegal connections to the lines of gas, water, electricity and heating.

In all other cases, the check will be carried out with the consent of the Ministry of Economy and Industry of Azerbaijan. -06D--