Administrative tasks

Administrative tasks

Finally, mention should be made of the many administrative tasks entrusted to the chambers by law and implemented by them independently for local trade and indus­try. These tasks range from arbitration services for competition disputes to numerous special examinations on commercial and industrial legislation, instruction for first-time restaurant owners, recognition of the equivalence of secretarial qualifications and the issuing of certifications prescribed by national or European regulations. In recent years, the chambers have also assumed numerous responsibilities in the area of environmental protection.

In 2007, the chambers assumed responsibility for issuing insurance agents’ permits and for examining the relevant competences, and for entering successful candidates in the official register of insurance agents.

In the area of international trade, the chambers are also responsible for issuing certificates of origin, authenticating commercial invoices and numerous certification documents necessary for international trade. The chambers are also members of an international network of customs guarantors and they issue ATA carnets for temporary exports.

The chambers are also responsible for the public appointment and swearing in of officially recognised experts in more than 250 areas of expertise. On the basis of a careful selection procedure and continuous monitoring, the chambers have appointed some 8,000 experts in various specialisations.