Business Regulatory Act (No. 3 of 2014)

4. ( icneral principles and inten cntions f<.ll' regulatin g business

5. Conditions for imposit ion of licensing

6. Proced ure for imposition of new po licy or lav,

7. ApprO\al or framc,,orl,. by Business Regulato ry Rev iew Agency 8. !·.-registry and contro l numbers

9. Regulatory services cen tre and regulato~ c learance

10. Si11g.kliccnsingsys1t.:m 11. !\frc han isms for opcrat iona li sation of single li censi ng system PARI Ill ·1 111 B 1 ,1,1 ,, R1 < ,l 1,\1 < >RY R1VII"\\" ( ·c ll\1\1II I LE 12. .stahli~hmcnt ot l{u-., in c~~ Rq!ulatory Rc, ic,, Committee

13. Powcrsof( '()1nmittcl· PAR! I\ 1'111 B1 sI:s I ss 1{ 1 c,1·I \l<lln R 1 \' II\\ Acil \CY 1-t. lstablishmcnt of Business Regulat<ir) Revil'\\ Agency

15. Dire<.:tor and other staff

16. Functions or L3us ines-, Regulatory Rc\'iew Agency PAR! V ( iI " Ii :\I Pt{()\" IS l()\I\

17. Appeals

18. Rcµulatio ns

19. Sa, inµs and transitional provisions S('IIFIH LL: .\111f?/c co1nes o/ 1/11s lei ma.1· he ohr.i111cd from the (im·,· r111l!,nr /', .,,1, r /'() I/ox 30136, JO/Ill !.11s<1~i1 !'riceA. /3.00c11<"11 B11sint'ss R('i!Jtlarory ll\o. 3 of201-t 7 ACT ~o. 3 of 201-t Uate,)f:\sse11t : 21st \ 'larch . 201 -l An :\d to provide for an l'f'fident, cost eff1.•1.·tin· and accessihle husiness licensing syskm: provide a set of p1·inciplcs and intern•ntions to guide regulatory agl·ncies \\ hen regulating and licensing business activitil·s in accordance with a law under their mandate: provide for the classification of, and critnia for, licensing; estahlish an c-n•gistr~ and assign a control numb1.·1· for laws regulating business; (HO\ idc for th1.· 1.·stahlishmcnt of regulator~· sl·nin•s 1.·enters, regulatory clearance s~·stcms and a single licensing system for business in each sector or group of businesses in a sector; l'Stahlish till' Bu siness Reg11lato1·~- Review Committee and the Uusiness Regulatory Review Agency and provide for their functions and powers: and provide for matkrs connected with, or incidental to. the forq!oing. 12--lth \ larch, 201--l 1 1-. '\ ,\(TU) b\' the Pa rliament t1f /ambia. l·, 11<1<.:llll\.'ll l PART I PR l·i I. 11\,\1{)'

1. This Act may be cited ns the l~usiness Rcµu!atory Act.2014. Shor! li tk

2. In this Act, unless the context othcrn isc n:quirc~ I11 tcrp rcta1iC1 11 .. bu s1 nc:-,s .. includes a n:, enterp ri se . co rporate o r nt1 n- corpurate. trade, profession or occupati on rcµ istcrcd under the Compa nies /\ ct \\ r Reg istra tion of Bu siness Names Cap 3XX Act. 20 11: /\ct ~ o I (> nf 20 1 I 8 i'io. 3 of 201-tl Uusine.,s Reg11/a/ory ·· Business Regulatory Re, iew Agency·· 1111:ans the Business Regulatory Rcv ie,, :\gene~ established u1Hkr sedion /011rtl!e11: ·· cc11i ticall' ·· means a d11c11n1enl issued to a person or business by a n:gulatot") agcnc~ after a registration process: ·· Committee .. means the Business Regulatory Revicv. Committee established under section twefre: ·· e-registry .. means the electronic registr~ established under section eight: ··licence·· means an authorisation granted to a business. a lier meeting a set of legal criteria. as a tool to fol Ii II legitimate n:gulatory purposes such as (a/ protection of public health and safety: (hJ protection. consenation and preservation of the cnYironment: ro national securit~: and (d) allocatio n or scarce national resources: excluding any authorisation used to manage competition or to gcrn:rate rcvenuc for a regul at ing agency or public b()(h: .. licrnsing ·· means a process to obtain and issue a licern:e, pl·trnit. certificate or authorisation: .. loca l autlwril) ·· means a city. 11H1 ni eipal or d istrict counci l ( 'ap . 28 I cstablishl·d under the I .1ical ( i\l, ern111L·nt ,\ct: .. medium bus iness enterprise·· means any business enterprise ,, ho-;c total invc:-.t1m:nt. c:-.cluding land and buildings. annual tu rn over and the number of persons employed by the enterprise doc:-. not c:-.cced a prescribed mmH:rical ,·alue: .. micni business enterprise·· mcans any business enterprise ,, hose total imestmcnt. e,cludin!,!. land and buildings. annual turnover and the nu1nbcr of persons emp loyed by the cnh:rprisc. docs not exceed a prescribed numerical value: ·· Pa tents and Co mpanies Registration Agency·· means the Patl·nts and Companies Registration Ag.enc) established ,\ct No. 15 under the Patents and Com pan ics Registrat ion Agency Act. or:10 Io 2010: ··permit ·· means a permission gra nted to a bus iness to carry out an~ aLlion related to. or ,vhich impacts 011 . the bus iness's rnrc activity as stated in a licence or certificate ,, hich is required for a particular activit~ ,, ithout the necessity of a Iicrncc or ccrti ficate: n11.,·111<!.\.\ lfr,1:,11/alorr !No. J of20t.t 9 " publ ic body ·· mca11s the Govern ment. any \;linist1y or Department ot' the (imcrnmcnt. a local authority, parastatal. board, council. aut lwrity. commission or oth er bod) appoin ted b) the Govern men t. or established by or under any \Hitten lav,. excluding a profess ional association or bO<.I}: ·· Registrar., means the person appo in ted as Registrar under the l'atents and Co mpan ies Registration Agency ;\ct. 20 I 0. ,\-:I l\o. I~ ,,r 2010 ··registration .. mea ns a procl:ss or rcgistc 1in g. ccrtifyin!! or listing a business or a person with a regula to r) aµency, in order to enable that business or person to leg it imate!) start up a busi11l:ss. activity or pract ice or ,,ork in a certain field. as required under a11 y writtl'n la,,. and inc ludes rq1. istration for purposes ofobtaining data or statistics. and "registrat ion process .. shall be construed accord ingly: ·· regulate business activit) .. means the co nt ro l or regulation of activit ies un dertaken or to be undertake n by a business. and includes licensing. obtaininµ reµ ulatory req uirements or imposinµ any for m o r fcl:. levy. cha rge or any other regulatory requirement necessary for a bu-;incss to car ry out any commercia l. ma nu facturing. construction or infrastruct ure deve lopment, tr:id in g. in dustrial. lH1spital it y and to uri sm. agricultural. mining. financial. research. cl1111munication. tccl111nlogical. transport. hiring. enc rµy. cunsultancv. prokssio nal or other busines<, act ivit) in a sccto1 or ,,·ith respect to spec ilie com mod it ies or products. and .. rcgu latinµ business activi ty" or " regula tion ofhw,ines:-. act1\ ity· shall he construed accord in gly: ·· regulator) agency .. means any pe rson or body. e\.cept a pnilcss1onal body. ,, hic h, by l:l\\. is emp(mered to regulate business acti, it) in all) sector and incl ud es a Minister: " rcgulatllr) clearance S) stem .. means a mechanism, electronic OJ manual. for supporting liccn-;ing in order to achieH: a one-:-.top clearance system tur rcgulato1y requirements and a single licensing system for regulating business acti\-ity: ·· regulatory framework .. means a kg.al S)<.;!Cm for regulating business activi ty: " n.::gulatory requireme nt .. means any documentation, rc!.!.istration particulars. da ta. statis tics. vital statistics. standards. specifications. cer1i Iications. notifications or other information required !'or liccnsi nµ to enable persons to sta11 up business, continue doing. business or cease to Jo business under the relevant law regulating that business; 10 No. 3 of 2014 1 Businns Re~11/ato1y " regu latory scr\'icc"" mea ns the renderi ng of decentralised services by a local authority or the Patents and Companies Registration Agency, or both unde rtaking the services jointly \\ith regulator) agencies, so as to ensure efficient licensing under the rele\'ant laws 1cgulating that business sector or group of business by- ((1) proYid ing an accessible and less burdensome system fo r c Icari ng n.:g u latory rcq u irements: (h) issuing data or other in forma tion on reg istered busi nesses tha t arc required to be licensed: and fc; ensuri ng elkctivc liaison and coordination amongst n:gu lator) agencies: "' regulatory services centre .. means a one-stop unit estab lished by the Patents and Companies Registration Agency or a loca l authority, or both undertaking the ser\'ices joint ly " ith other relevant regulatory agencies. to provide for an efficient regulatory clearance system and single licensing system: ·· sector,. means a business sector of the economy: ·· single licensing system"" means a licensing system designd to facili tntccompliancC\vi th multiple licens ing requirements by multiple regulatory bodies through a si ngle regu latory po in t or a regul atory scr\'ice centre : and " -.; mall business enterprise ·· means any business enterprise ,, hose tota l investment exc ludi ng land and bu ildings. annual turno, er and the number of pe rsons cmplo) ed by the enterprise. does not exceed the prescribed numerical value. ,\ppli.:ation 3. (I) Not\\'it hstandi ng any other la v,·. th is Act appl ies to all and regulator) agenc ies. catcgori~Hion ofli.:.:ns111g (2) Not\\ ith~ta nding any other law, this Act applies to the ') ~l<.:11 1 regul ation o l'b usines~ activity, subject to the terms and conditions fo r app l) ing and issuing any licence . per mit. certificate or authori ::.al ion under th e relevant law regula ting that business. (3) For th e m oidance of doubt this /\ct shall be complementary to any law regulating business and that law shall continue to regulate tha t busi ness subject to the proced ures and criteria for licensing, prin ciples and interventions proYidcd under th is Act. (-+) /\tier the commencement of this /\ct. the follo,,ing shall be the ca tegorisation of the licensing system: (aJ licence. which shall be valid in all areas under the jurisdictioP ofa local authority and sha ll- 811., i nes., Regulo101'_l · [No. 3 of201-t 11 (i) be is-;ued 011 111 i11im t1111 proor of qua lili cations necessary to ensure the co111pctc 11 c: or the pwprietor: (ii I enable the start up of business for a core a<.:t i, ity: (iii) be re11c\\ able as specified in th e \\'rittcn l,I\\: (i\') att ract a fee calculakd 011 the "due placed 011 the licc111:e. as ma: be prescribed. after taking into acco un t the leg; tl criteria l'or is sue ()f the licence: and (\) be issued 1.111 such te rms and co nditio ns as may b..: prescribed: 1h1 pcnn it. \\ hicl1 Illa)·· ( i) not be\ a lid in al I area~ un der the _jurisdiction or a local autho rity: (ii) be a (llle-olf i~,ue or used to autlw rise va ri ,lus or p.irticular kinds of busi ness activities or multiple acti\ ities eu1111cctcd to the nm: act i\ ity und er a Iicence or cert ificat1.· after start up or a busincs": (iii) be or not be n:ne\\ablc: ( i\) attract a Ice or charge for process in g and issuing the permit. \v hic h charge may be irnpt)Scd ai111ua lly ()r a tier a prescribed period or unt iI the permit is n.:, oked: and (\) be i'-'-lled 011 suc h te rms and conditions as 111ay be prescribed: 1c 1 certificate. \\hich (i) Illa) or n1ay nut be ,alid in all areas umlcr the jurisdiction \\L1 loc;1I au th ority: (ii) is <1 one-off issue: (iii) ma: attract a fee or charge for the cert i l'icate. ,, hich may be imposed as :1 one-off chargL'. a1rnually ur a!'ter :i pn:--;cribcd pcri1)d 011 tlie l10ldl'I'. until the ccrtilicate i, r~'\nkcd: and rd1 authorisation. \vhich - ti) shall he in letter form: (ii) ma:·, or may not be valid in all areas under the juri,dictilin ol'a loca l authorit): ;111d (iii) is a one-off i,suc. where a fee n1 charge may not he i111p,1scd . 12 );o. 3 of2014 1 /311si11ess Rcg11/ato,y PART II RI C,lJLATI\G Bt lS I\I ss /\c I IVITII s (1('Jl('f.il 4. (I) Not\\ ithstanding any other law and subjl.!ct to section prillcipks and three. th e regu lat io n of business ac tivity shall be gon:rned by the 111knc11tio11s prim:iples and i11 tcne nt io 11 s specified under subsec tions (.2 ) and for n:eubtinu busin:·,s · (3 ). (2) Li censing sha ll be hased on the fol lowing principles. \\'hic h shall be take n into accoun t\\ hen developi ng licensing systems or ;i pp l) ing and in terpreting I icensing prm is ions under any other\\ rittcn l,l\\·: toJ licensing shall be for the purpose of regulating busi ness for a clearly deli ncd public po licy goal oro hj ecti\c tha t ca nnot lx: better achic\'ed th rough other 111ea11s: rh I a law shall specify clear criter ia when an appl icat ion ror a li cence. per111it. cert iricatc or aut hor isation may be granted or rejected. or \\'hen a li ce nce. perm it. ccrtilicak or au thorisation may be suspended. a111encled, transferred or re \ o kcd . a nd shall pro,· ide a procedure for app1.:a ls: le; a permit or certificate sha ll be valid fo r at least three )Cars. unkss it is for a speci fi c sho rt ter111 purpose or the regulatory age ncy has compell in g reasons to reduce thi s period: (d; a lice nce shal l be ,·a lid through\lut the C\lu ntry: (eJ licences sha ll lw ,·,did for unl imited periods. exci:pt \\'hen period ic re, ie\, of qu a lifications and criteria a re t1l'c essa ry to l'ul lill regulatory object ives: (/) proc edures for regulat in g business activ it) shall be sirnpli licd. to th e greatest e:,; tenl possible. tak in g into account the sector. the turnover or cxpccti:d turnover of the bu siness. the numhe r or optimal number or L' 111plo)Ct:s oJ'the business and nature and extent nfthe busini:ss: (g) a fe e. levy or c harf?_e pnyablc in re-;pect l)j' a lic<:nce. pn111it or certi fi ca te shall be 111i11i111al. clear!) fixed and i111 pllscd for tlii: sole purposi: or de fra) in/! ,1dmi1fr;trat i, e costs of licensin g. except l'nr a lici:ncc issued f~) r high ,:due or scarce nationa l resl1urces or which is airncd al prnk cting the envirn11 111e11t, public health. safe!) and sccurit): 811\/11('.\S Reg11/oton· [No. 3 of 201.t U r/n 11:gulatory ag.e111.:ics ,hall excha nge regulatory req uirement:-. tlm1ugh the use or a regulatory e lea ranee system. and shall not duplicate information requests on busi nes-,e:-.: /11 public bodil·, -;hall endea,our to use e-gove rn ancc in liccn,ing and ob tain regulatory require 1rn.:nts from another rq!u lator~ al.!ency \\hich has already co llec ted tho-.e requirement:-.: and ~/J licensing sha ll nnt be continued fo r more than fi ve years \\ 1th out an evalua tion be ing. done of' its effccti\'eness in achie, ing the public policy goal or object ive for\\ hic h it ,,a:-. int,·nckd. {J) The foll()\\ ing intcn entions; apply to lic\.:nsin!! and busines;s rq:ulation: ra, r\.:gtilatory age ncies shall. al a ll t1111\.:-;. endea\l\Ur to use r\.:gulator) sen ice.., centres to regulate business activity: rh) regulatPry agencies shall. as far as is pos:-.ihlc. use a sing.le lice nsing system fp r lice nsi ng business acti\'i ty: (c! micro. small and mediu m business enterpri..,es shall be regulated in a manner that l'ncourages g.ro,, th and gradua ti(1n frnnr a IO\n.:r bus ines.., size to a higher one: rd, regulatory requirement'> fi.ir n1icrn. small and medium busi ness enh.:rprises shall be minimi,ed to the greatest n.tcnt po-.,s1b l\.:: (l') a regulation that imposes th\.: least burden nec\.:ssary for doing bu:-.ine..,s and that provitks the l\.:ast adrnini,tratiY\.: btmkn on the reµulatory agency :-.hall h\.: preferred: and rti a rel.! ulator~ agcne~ shall respond to an application for licensing a-. l·arl~ a, possible but not la tl'r than ,, 1thi11 the pre-,cnb\.:d period after the application 1-; lodged and. i r no n::-.ponse is µi, en 011 the las! da~ o f !he pre..,cribed p-:riOll. th-: appl icat 1011 sha 11 b-: deemed to be app ro\ cd and the licence. permit. ccrti tica tc or authorisat illll shall he deemed to have been dul) issued.

5. (I) Without prejudice to the principles and inlcnentions set <. ondilil\llS nut in sectilln /our. a public bod) -;ha ll only establ ish a licensing for i111pos11ion -.., -..1e111 to t II Iti II legit 1111a1c regu latol') purpose., tir ir it i.., the 1110..,t of li..:..:nsmg ctfecli\l' and dficicnt 111e,11h ol'protccting a ckarl) defined risk \t I 1-t ~o. 3 of201-tJ H11si11ess Re~ulat01y (i) public health: (ii) public safety or nationa l security: (iii) environmental protection. conservation and preservation: (i\) consumer protection: and (v) upholding of standards for goods. food. drugs and sen ices: (2) ;\ licensing system shall onl) be established under subsection (I) if it -- f aJ does not unnecessarily burden business enterprises to "hich it is applied or proposed to apply: fh) docs not O\'erly add to the administrative cost of the public bod) or regulatory agency concern ed; (c) is not overly bureaucratic or cumbersome; and 1cl1 has the input of the relevant stakeholders. l'ro.::.:dun: <,, (I) A public body shall only submit to Cabinet for approval for a policy or proposed law to regulate business activity if the policy impos ition ofn.:w or proposed law has the prior apprm al of the Business Regulatory poli,~ nr Re, iew Agency. la\\ (2) ;\ public body that intends to introduce any policy or proposed law for regulating business activi ty shal l (aJ give notice. in writing. of that intention to the Rusiness Regulator) Re, ie\\ Agency. at least two months prior to su bmitt ing it to Cabi net: (h; hold public consultations for at least thirty days with- (i) persons or proprietors of business enterprises who shall be afti:cted by the proposed regulatory framc,vork: (ii) persons or proprietors of business enterprises who shall benefit from the proposed regulator) framework: (iii) regulatory agencies and other publ ic officers \\ho wi II implement the proposed regulator) framework: and (iv ) all ot her relevant stakeholders which arc not included under subparagraphs ( i) to (iii): and ru perfo rm a regul ator) impact assessment. analysing- (i) the problem that is being addn.:ssed by the policy or proposed law; (ii) why Government action is needed to correct the problem: (iii) the objecti,.,cs of the pol icy or proposed la\\; Business Regulatm-.i j~o. 3 of201~ IS (iv),, hi ch opt ions. fo r dealing,, ith the proble m. have: been considered and ,, hy the po licy or proposed l,I\\ is the best approach. incl uding who is affected by the problem and,, ho is likely to be affected by the solu tion: ( \) \\ het her the be nefit s justi fy the costs. and what arc: the likeh costs for business and cori-,;umer:-. includin1,! a calculat ion of lll'W admini strati,e burdens and the impacts on market entry and e\.it: and (vi) how the pol icy or proposed law wi ll be impkrrn:nh.:d. (~) ,\ public bl1d) or regulator) agenc) shall. atierconsultations are concluded and a regulatory impact assessment is performed. under subsection (2). sub mit to the Busi ness Regulatory Re,·ie\\ \gene:,. a report on the results of the consultations and the 1eµulall1ry impact asse:-.sment.

7. ( I) lhe Business Regulatory Revie,, /\µency sha ll. on :\pprmal of fram.:\\"' k n:-:erpt of the repurt referred to in section .\i\', e:xa mine the report In Bus llC:\S in ordc:r to deh:rmine ,, hcther the proposed regulatory frame,,ork l~s·!!ulall>n Rs·~ JC:\\ • mall\ rrn:asure under that frnme,,ork is rH:cessary orjustilied .-\)-'llll~ (2) I he Business Regulatory Re, iew Agency sh al I not app rO\l' any prnp,1sed regulah1ry frarm:\\Ork unless that framework complies ,,ith section" /i!llr and/i1·£-'. ( 3) The Business Regulator) Re, ie,, Agency shall. ,,·ithin fourteen day:, of receipt of the report referred to in section six. c,1 1111m111icate its decision. in writing. including the reasons for the cb.:ision. to the rele, ant public body. (-1) A public body aggrie,ed by a decision of the Business Reµulatl1ry Re, ie\\ ·\µenc:, 111<1) appeal to the Committee against the decision.

8. (I) I here shall be established an electronic n:gistry. ,,hich l·:-ri:fi~tr, and shall be a centralised database and online tran:-.;1ctio11 platl'orm ~ontrnl holding informatiun on liccnce..,_ permits. certificates. authorisations 11u111hcr~ and regulations. including the llll'lllalrties businesses ha, e to wmp ly \\ 1th in md~r to ubtain a lic~nce. permit. c1.:11iticate or authorisation and capable of l'aci litating the processing nf applications 0111 im:. 16 No. 3 of20 14] Business Reiulatmy (2) The electronic registry shall. in particular. contain- (a/ texts of relevant laws and subsidiary legislation on business regulation and licensing: (h) na 1rn: or tit le of the business licence: (c) licence period or validity; (dJ licence Ices; (e) downloadab le application; and (/) contacts of issuing agencies; (3) The Committee shall ensure that thee-register is- (a) accessible on th1: internet and is free of charge: and (h) avai lable for inspection and search by proprietors of bus iness enterprises and members of the public. \vithout charge. (4) The Business Regu latory Review Age ncy shall be responsible for mainta ining thee-registry and shall ensure that the c-registry is updated on a continuous basis . (5) The e-rcgistry sha ll provide- /a; positive legal security and certainty by ensuring that only those business regulation licences, permits. certificat1:s and authorisations published in tl11: e-registry. hav1: legal effect. validity and enforceability as far as business activities arc concerned; and (h) easy access to exhaustive in format ion about business regulation and licensing. (6) An Act of Parliament or statutory instrument published in the e-rcgistry shall be assigned a control number by the Business Regu latory Review Agency that shall be displayed with the electronic \'Crsitin of the Act of Parliament or statutory instrument. (7) \\'here a law regulating business activity requires the utilisation of a form. a control number issued by the Business Regulatory Rev iew Agency shall be displayed on the electronic version of the form in the c-registry, which form shall be designed so as to capture information and data that can easily be captured into an electronic database. Regulator:- 9. (I) The Patents and Companies Registration Agency shall. sen ices in liaison with other regulatory agencies, establish regulatory centres and n.·culatorv services centres in the premises of the local authority or such other cl~arance· premises in a Province as is corl\'cnient for regulatory clearance and implementation of a single licensing system for businesses in a sector or group of businesses in a sector. Busine.,·\ Regulatory !No. 3 of201-t 17 (2) The Pnll:nts and Companies Registration A gene) shall. for the purposes of-,ubsection ( l ). liaise\\ ith other regulatOt) agencies to establish comprehcnsin: databases for accounting. electronic data base entr:- and retrin al. communication and electronic n:gistration. t\l ensun.: an dTective regulator) clearam:e system, mcs-,enger sen ice and S) stem for information sharing.

10. (I) '\Jot withstanding any other law, there is hcreb) Singl.: lil.:nsmg. established for businesses in each sector or group of businesses in s~ Sll.'m a sector. a single licensing system. (2) l\ot\\ithstanding an:- other law. \\here a person requires any licence. permit. registration. c1.:rtifo.:ate or autlwrisation for any business acti\·ity, the applicant shall apply. in the manner prescribed under the rein ant la\\ dealing\\ ith that bu~ine<.s activity for such Iicence. permit. registration. ce11 ificate or authorisation gi\·ing the full details relating to the business acti\ ity. and copy the applicatilH\ to the nearest and rele\ ant n.:g.ulatory sen ices centre. (:;) l\otwithstanding any other la\\. ,, here a person holds a l1cc11<:e under any law regulating a business acti\ ity. and that person requires another licence. permit. certificate t)r authorisation. in fu1 thcrance nf the busim:ss acti\ 11y. that la Ils under the jurisdiction \lf the -,ame regulatory agency nr another regul atory agency. that person -.hall appl). in the manner prescribed. for such licence. permit, ccrt llicatc tir authorisation to the rcgu la tor) agenc) that i:-sucd the or1g111al licence. copicd to the nearest regulatOt) sen ice centre. µ.1\ ing full details relating to the nature and scope or the licencc. permit. certificate or authorisation required. ( ..t) A rcgu latory a gene:- shal I. on receipt of an application for a liccn1.:c pcrmll or a11thorisa11011 under subsection (2) or(}), process the application through the neare-,t and relevant regulatory service-; ~·e11t1\: Li:-ing the ,inµ.k lice1h111g s:- ,tern a-; prll\ ided under this (5) Where a regulator) agency is not operating from a rl·gttlatory services centre. the crntrc shall.\\ ithin thn:c days of the receipt ()fa copy of an application under this section. request the apprnpri,1te regulatrn") agenc, tu submit the relevant infrmnation and rnndit1ons ,1ttachi11g to the issue or a licence. permit. n:gistration. certificate Pr authorisation. as prescribed by la\\. to the regulatory sen 1cco.; centre for prnce:.-..1ng and issue. 18 No. 3 of 201-t] Business Re~ula101:i· (6) A regu latory agency referred to in subscd ion (5) shal l, wit hin li\'c days of a request fro m the reg ulatory serv ices centre. made unde r subsection (5). submit to the centre al l the relevant inlilrmat inn and condi tions relating to the issue nf thc lici:nce. pcnn it. registratio n. cert ifica te or aut horisat ion. as pn:sc ribed by law. an d the centre shall. within fou rtee n days of rece ipt of the in for mation. iss ue the licence. perm it. ci:11iticate or authori sation to the applicant or endorse on the license. permit or certifi cate of the appl ii..:ant - (a) the name of the licence. permit. ce11ificate or author isation applil·d for: (b) the natu re and scope of the activity au thorised unde r the lice nce. perm it. certifi cate or authorisat ion: (c) the co nditions attac hing to the licence. permit. certi fi cak or authorisation: and (dJ any other essentia l informatio n that the regulatory agenc) concerned may req uest to be so endorsed: for and on behalf of the regulatory agency prescribed under the relevant law. (7) J\ person ororgan isation whose Iicencc, penn it or certi ticate has bel'll endo rsed. as pro\ ided under subsect ion (6). shall pa) to the regul ator) services centre the (a) fee-.. for the licence . permit or certificate; :rnd (h1 cha, ges for admi nistrative costs pertaining to the process ing and issue of the lice nce, perm it. certificate or authorisation. (8) The centre sha ll remit the fees relating to the licence, pe rmi t or certi fi cate. recei , ed under subsec tion (7). tn the ap propr iate regu latory agency. bu t shall reta in the charges fo r ad ministrati,·e costs. (9) A regulatory agency. referred to in subsection (5). sha ll pay to the regulato r) ser\'ices centre a prescr ibed commission for issuing, Pr endorsi ng, any licence. permit. certi fi cate or authorisation nn its hi: half. ( 10) Any contra\'cntion of an) condit ion or requ irement endorsed on any lice nce. permit or certificate by a regulatory ::.en ices centre. under this section. sha ll be a ground for the suspension or re,ocat ion of the licence. permit. certificate or aut horisation under the law providi ng for the issuance of that licence. perm it. ce11ilicatc or author isation . JJ11sim.'ss Reg11/a1m:v INo. 3 of20l-t 21 (6) I he Commith:e shall faJ desig n an ann ual ac1 io11 pl an for the imple men talion of regulatory sen ices ce nlres an d a sing le lice nsing syslem and m ersee and coordinate the impleme ntat ion of the action plan: (hJ produce. at least once a qu arter. a report nn the qu ality or business regu lation. an d propose any actions necessary to imprO\e the business enviwn ment so as to -.upport the de, elopmen tal polic ies oft he Gm-ernment: and (CJ 111011 itor and repo rt on the ac ti, ities ofregu lat ory age ncies re lated to business reg ula tion. qua lity control and compliance,, ith this /\c t. C:') The Sc hedule app li es to the Commi ttee.

13. The ( ·ommi tte1.· sha ll. in the performa nce ()f it s functio ns l'ow..:rs or (0111111itt..:1.: under !his Ac!~ ra; im ill' r.:presl·11ta tillns fn1111 the general public. whe re necessarv: rhJ undertake and publish , studie-,. research an d evalua tion-. for purpose ... nfthis ;\I:!: (c} require any public body or any perso n tu pro, ide it\\ ith suc h in for m,1tion as the comm ittee may require for the 1x·rforrna nce \ll its I unc tions: 1d1 liaise with olher research bodies\\ i1hin and out::...ide Zambia carrying out comparable ... tudies. research a nd e,aluat ion: and le1 do all such th ings as appear to be necessar). or e\.pedie nt for !he performance of its functions. P,\R r IV I 111 131 ·-;:,1" 1{1 tit 1 \1111(, R1, 11 ,, :\< ,1 ·,wy 1-t. lhere is established the Business Regulatory Re,ie\\ l:stahli,hml'nt ,\gcncy which shall sen e as the secreta ri at to th e Co mmittee and ot ll11s11H:ss Re,1t·,, \\ htch shal l pcrfurrn suc h ot her fund ions as may be imposed by Rl'gulator~ th is Act or any other \Hitt en 1.rn. .-\g<.:IIL~

15. (I) The Public Sen ice Commission shall appoint as public I )ir..:ctor and officers the Directllr and other staff of the Busi ness Regulatory otlH.:r stall Re\ie,, ,\g.cncy. (:::) The Director shall be the chief executi,e officer <.lf till' l!usincss Regulator: Re, ie\, Agency and responsible for its ge neral ad min ist rat i\ 111. 22 l\o. 3 of201.tl lfosine.,s Regu!otor_\' Ful\\:lill11:; of 16. I he Bu <, iness Regulatory Revie\v /\µency shall Bu, 1111:s, Rcgulatory (a ; ass ist th e Co mmitt ee in the e:\ercise o f the Committee's Re \ ic11 powers and functi ons unde r th is Act: .'\ f! CllC) rh 1 be respo nsi ble fnr the manageme nt and upda te c)r thee - registry: (c ) approve regulatory framc\\'orks submitted under this Act: (d) coo rdinate an d oversee th e im ple mentation of the act ion pla n de signed by the Com mittee un de r section twe fre : and (eJ perfo rm all such other funct ions as arc necessary for the better carrying out or thi s Act. PART V (i 1:--;1'R ,\I PROVIS IOt\S

17. ( I) A public body aggrieved wi th a decis ion of the Business Regul atory RcviC\\ Age ncy may appeal to the Com mittee agai nst the decis ion within th irty days of the serv ice of the dec ision. ( 2) A person or organ isation aggr ieved wi th the decis ion of the Committee nia> appea l to th e I li gh Court w it hin thirty days of the sen ice (_) r the dec is ion.

18. The rvrinister may. by sta tutory instrument, make regulation~ for the bctkr carry ing out of the pro\'isions of this /\ct. S a\"IIH.!S an d 19. (I) Afte r the commencement of this /\ct. any one-stop tran sitional ce ntre or shop estab lished unde r any other la\v shal l contin ue to p l l> \ 1:;JO Jl , exist as if esta blished unde r this Act and sha ll be renamed regulatory sen-ices ce nk rs umk r the auspices of the Agency. (2) /\ pu blic body shall , within t\\"o years of the co111 111encement of thi s /\et co mply with the provisions of this ;\ct. H11si11ns Reg11/uto1y ll\o. 3 of2014 B FIRST SCI IEDL!,E (Section /:;) A1>:-.11N1s 111 ,\TI< ,:,., <>I· Co;-.1:-.11111 1 I. (I) Subject to this ;\ct. a member of the Committee." ho is Tcnurc of orticc of no t an n officio member, sha ll hold oltice for a period of three mcmhcrs of )Cars frrnn the date of appointment and i~ L·ligibk for re-appointment Co111111itlcc for a further like period. (2) .-\ member nr the Committee. "ho is not an e.r officio member. may resign upon givi ng nne nHH1th "s notice. in \Hi ling. to the organisation "hid1 recommended the member and to the \1inistcr. {3) !\ member shall. on the expiration of the period for ,,·hich the member i-, appointed. continue to hold office until a st11: ccssor 1s appointed. but the further period shall not exceed three months.

2. I"hc Minister may. where the office of a nH:mber becomes l'illinc.of casual , acant before the expiry of the term of office. appoint in acctirdance \'acancy ,, ith section 111·c!rc. another member in place of the member who \ acates office. but that member shall hold office onl)- for the unexpired part of the term.

3. ( 1) Subject to the other pnl\ is ions of this Act. the Committee Procccdinl!, of ma:, regulate its own procedure. Com111ittcc (2) ·1 he Committt:e sha ll meet for the transaction of busi ness at least once in e, er) quarter at such places and times a~ the Committee nia, determine. (3) A meeting of the Committee ma) be called by the Chairperson, upon gi, ing notice of not less than fourteen days. and shall be called by the Chairperson if not less than one-third oft he 111e mbcrs so request in writing. except that if the urgency of any panicular matter docs not pennit the giving of that notice. a special n1eeting may be called upo n a shorter notice given by the Chairperson or one-thi rd tif the member-; of the Committee. ( I) Si, members sh al I cons I itutc a quorum at an) meeting of the Committee ( 5) ·1 here -..hall preside at an~ meeting of the Committee- (aJ the Chairperson: (h) in the absence of the ChairperSl)ll. the Vice-Chairpcr-;on: (c) in the absence of the Vice-Chairperson such other member a-, the members present may elect for the purpose of that meeting. 24 No. 3 of2014] Business Rei11!atory (6) A dec isio n of the Committee on any question shal l be by a major ity o r th e members prese nt and voting at the meet ing and in the eve nt or an eq uality of votes, th e person presidi ng at the meet ing shall have a cast in g vote. in add ition to that pe rso n's del iberat ive vote . (7) The Commi ttee may in vite any person, whose presence is in its opi nio11 desi rable. to attend and to par1 icipate in the deliberations of a meeti ng of the Committee. but that perso n shal l not have any vote. (8) The val idit y of any proceedin gs. acts or decis ions of the Committee shall not be affected by any vacancy in the membership of the Com mitt ee or by any defect in the appoint ment of any me mber or by reason th at any person not entitled to do so, took pa rt in the proceedings. Suh- 4. ( 1) The Committee may. for the pu rpose of performing its Committees fun ctions und er thi s Act. constitute sub-co mmittees and delegate to th e sub-commi ttees suc h functions of the Co mm ittee as it co nsiders nec essarv. (2) Su bj ect to subpara grap h ( 1), the Committee may appo int as members of a sub-committee constituted un der subparagraph ( 1), pe rsons \\ ho arc, or arc not. members of the sub-committee. except th at a sub-com mittee shall be cha ired by a member of the Com mittee. (3) J\ person sen ing as a member of a sub-committee sha ll hold ofticc for such pe riod as the Committee may determ ine. (4) Subject to any specific or gen era l di rection of the Committee. a sub-co mmittee mav regulate its ow n procedure. Al 1011 ancc·, 5. The re shal l be paid to :1 mQ.mber of the Committee or a me mber or a sub-co mmntce suc h allowa nces as the '•vi in istcr may determin e. Disclosun.: 6. ( 1) If any person is present at a meeti ng of the Comm ittee of 111tcrcst o r a sub-commi ttee at whic h a ny matter is the subj ect o f co nsiderat ion. and in whi ch matter that person or that person's re lative is direct ly or indirectly in terested in a private capacity. that person shal l. as soon as is practicable afte r the commencement of the meeting, disc lose ~uch inte rest and shall not take pa rt in any co nsi deration or discussio n of. or \'Ote on any question relating to, that matter. H/1.\ines.,· Re,~u/010,y !No. 3 o f 201 -' 25 (2) :\ d1sclosun.: of interest made under subparagraph (I) shall be recorded in thi.: minutes of the mcl'ling at which it is ma de. (3) In this paragraph. '" relative·· in relation to a pcrsl1n mcans- - 111) a parent. son. daughter. broth er. sister. niece. uncle. aunt. grandparent or cousin of that pe rson or that person· s spouse: and th) a spouse nf th at perso n.

7. (I) A person shall not. \\'ithout the consent in wr iti ng given l'rohihi1ion ()i', b). l 1 r on beha lf nf. the Com111 ittcc. publis h or d isc kise to an publicalion una uthorised pe rson. ot hern ise than in the course of d uties of that of or person. the contents of any docu111ent. c(1m111 unication or infor111atio n disclosure of information \\ hatsoe, er.,, hicl1 relates to or\\ hic h ha~ come to th e knowledge to l1fthat pc rsun in the course of that perso n·s duties unde r this !\ct. un.iuthor iscd persons (2) J\ person ,, ho co ntravenes subparagraph (I) comm its an nffencc and is liable. upon con\·ict in n. to a fine not ex.cei.:ding three hundred thousand pc nalt: units llr to illl prisonment for a period not L'Xcccd ing t,,n years. or to both. (3) A person who, ha, ing an: info rmat ion whi ch to the kno,, ledge or that persnn has been publi. . hcd or disclose d in contra\'ention of subp aragraph (I). un i.I\\ ful l: publ ishes or comll!unicates the infti rll!a tio n to any nther perslm. com mits an offenL·L· and is liable. upon conviction. to a fine not c:-..ceed ing three hundri.:d thou-;and pi.:na lty un1b or to imprison111e11t for a period not i.:,cel'ding t\\o )i.:ais. or to both. 8. ,\11 ad ion or other prrn:ccding shall not lie or be instituted Immuni1, against a ml'111 be r of the Com millee or a subcommitlcc or a memlx:r of . . taff nf the Comm ittee for. or in respect of. any act or thing do ne or om itted to he done in gnod fait h in the excn.:isc or performancc. m pur ported c,crc ise or performance. of an:, o f thl' plmer". functions or duties conferred umkr this Act.

9. (I) 1'11c funds of the ('()mmittcc shall co nsist of such Funds of mnne,·s . as ma,. - ConHllillL"L' ( a1 bc approp 1iated In till' Committee h: Parliament for thc purposes of the Co mmittee: and rh) ot hcrn isc \'C',t in or aci.:rue In the Commi ttee. (2) The Cnmlllittce may~ /11 1 subjcct to the prior apprnval of the \·I inister. accept moneys b) ,,a) l1f grants or donatio ns from an) source in or ouhidc /ambia: an d rh, in accnrdaiKe with the rl'gulations made under this !\ct. charge k c~ for scr\'ices prO\ ided b::, th e Com mittee. 26 No. 3 of 201-tl Business Regulato,y (3) I here shall be paid from the fu nds of the Comm ittec--- (uJ \\ here ap prop ri ate. sa lar ies. allowances. loans. grat uit ics and pensions of staff of the Bus iness Regul atory Rev iew Agency. and other payme nts for the recruitment and reten tion of staff: (hJ suc h reasona ble travell ing and subsiste nce a lllrna nces fo r staff. members an d memlx:rs of any sub-committee \\ hen engaged on the business of the Committee or of the l3 usiness Regul atory Rev iew Agency. at such rates as the Min istcr may dctcrm inc; and (cJ any other expe nses inc urred by the Committee and the Busi ness Regul atory Revievv Agency in th e performance oftheir functions. (4) The Co mmittee an d Business Regu latory Review Agency shall perfo rm the ir functions in accordance,, ith so und and prudent fina ncial prin ciples and shall ensure as far as possible that the ir revenu es are suffici ent to meet expend iture that is pro perly chargea bl e to rc,,e nu c. (5) The charge or k c im posed 0 11 any scn·iccs and facilit ies rendered by the Co mmittee nr Business Regulato ry Rcvie\\' Agency shall be reasonably related to expenses incurred. or to be incu rred, by the Commi tt ee or Bus iness Regu latory Review Agency in relation to the 1m)\ is ion of the serv ice or fac ility Financial 10. The financ ial year of the Committee shal l be the period of year twelve mon th s end ing on 31st December of each yea r. ,\ccounts 11. ( I) The Com mittee sha ll cause to be kept propcr books and Audit of accoun ts and oth er reco rds relating to its acco unts. (2) The Committee shal l. within ninety days of the exp iry of the financ ial year, submit to th e \!linister a repo rt concerning its activ ities during the financia l yea r. (3) The report referred to in subparagraph (2) shall include statements of income an d expenditure and a statement of affairs or ba lance sheet. (-+) The accou nb of the Com mittee shall be audited ann ually or whenever nccessa rv bv the Auditor-General.

12. ( 1) As soon as practicable. but not later than six months after the end of the financial yea r. the Committee shall submit to the l\1inistcr a report concerning its activities. inc luding the activities of the Business Regul atory Review Agency, during the last financial year. Business Ri:gulutory ll\o. J of 201-' 27 (2) The report referred to in subsect ion ( I ). shall in cl ude ann ual Annual r~ port accounts and information on the financial affa irs of the(. \rn1111ittcc and there sha II be appended to the rcp()r\ -- fa I an audited balance sheet : (h; an audited statement of income and expc11diture: and (CJ such other inti.mnatiun as the Minister Illa) require (3) The Ministl'r shall not later tha n se,·cn days after the tir-;t sittinµ of the >lati0nal ;\ssemb l) next after receipt ,if the report referred tll in subparagraph (I), lay the report before the National ;\sscmbh.