Currently, about a hundred types of entrepreneurial activity carried out on the territory of the Russian Federation require obtaining an appropriate license. Licensing is carried out by special bodies and is one of the forms of state regulation of the activities of commercial structures.
Licensing of certain types of activities is carried out in accordance with Federal Law No. 128-FZ of 08.08.2001. The main principles and objectives of licensing are to define a single list of activities for the entire territory of the Russian Federation, which allows ensuring the unity of economic space and a single procedure for obtaining licenses in accordance with established licensing requirements.
Licensing is carried out publicly and openly in full compliance with applicable law. A license is required for such activities, the implementation of which may damage the rights, interests or health of individuals or the defense and security of the state, monuments of its history or culture. It is understood that it is not possible to regulate such activities in any way other than licensing.
There are no officially approved criteria by which it is possible to determine whether a particular type of activity is subject to licensing. But, as a rule, a license is required when the activities of an enterprise pose a danger to the health of citizens who do not take part in it, such as for the disposal of waste or toxic substances.
A license is required when the activity is related to the attraction of funds from an unlimited number of persons in production, as is the case with investment funds or the activities of credit institutions and banks. A license is also needed to carry out other types of activities, the quality of which may affect the health of citizens - this is construction, passenger transportation, etc. Business operations are licensed - export and import of raw materials, fishing, shooting animals, etc., as well as super-profitable activities - production and the sale of alcohol.
State regulation of all such activities is carried out in two ways. Firstly, it is the issuance of licenses on the basis of documents confirming the right to engage in this type of activity. Secondly, it is control over how the conditions for obtaining a license are respected. Registration of licenses and control over compliance with licensing requirements and conditions is carried out by licensing authorities authorized by the state. For registration of licenses, a duty is paid to the Federal budget, its amount and procedure for payment are established by the Tax Code of the Russian Federation. Licenses are issued for a period of at least 5 years. This period may be extended at the request of the licensee.
