Legislation on cultural and creative enterprises takes shape
The implementing decree defining and qualifying CCI. This will be followed by the decrees establishing the national fund and the register of CCI of national interest at the MiC
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Key points
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On 4 December, the inter-ministerial decree implementing art. 25, paragraph 6, of Law no. 206 of 27 December 2023, better known as theLaw for Made in Italy. The legislative act, now being published, defines the modalities and conditions for the recognition of the status of Cultural and Creative Enterprise (CCI) and the cases of revocation. Recognition takes place following registration in the special section of the Register of Companies held at the CCIAA, which allows the use of the words 'Impresa Culturale e Creativa' or 'ICC' in the company name, communications and corporate documentation.
The Decree is the result of the joint effort of the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy and the Ministry of Culture, and for the latter by the great work carried out by the Undersecretary for Culture, Lucia Borgonzoni and the Directorate General for Contemporary Creativity, in particular Service I, which has competences in the areas of cultural and creative enterprises, fashion and design.
Awaiting the reactions of sector operators, trade associations, professionals and companies, let us look specifically at the main new features. The qualification can be acquired by companies, self-employed workers, Third Sector entities, social enterprises, recognised associations and foundations, and innovative start-ups. These must prove that they carry out economic activity, exclusively or prevalently, in one or more of the following activities: conception, creation, production, development, dissemination, promotion, conservation, research, valorisation and management of cultural goods, activities and products. One also becomes a CCI if one engages in economic activities that are supportive, auxiliary or in any case strictly functional to the case above. The categories of CCI are punctually identified in the annex to the decree, which identifies 14 categories, such as Architecture, Visual Arts, Artistic Crafts, Audiovisual, Design, Publishing and Books, Photography, Literature, Fashion, Music, Cultural Heritage, Radio, Live Entertainment, Video Games and Software. These categories, which are subdivided into several other sub-categories that are constantly being updated, can be traced back to the Ateco classification and apply to CCIs that carry out activities exclusively or predominantly and not to supporting ones. Prominent in the classification are art galleries, record shops, bookshops, and auction houses, which are traditionally considered commercial activities, while fur articles; repair of watches and jewellery; and audio and video consumer electronics are curiously considered. Within 60 days of the entry into force of the decree, the Chambers of Commerce must set up a special section of the Business Register, in which the CCIs that meet the requirements will be registered. On an annual basis, the competent Chambers, through Unioncamere, will transmit the list of operators to the MiC. Thus, the dual register is confirmed; in addition, the Chambers of Commerce are entrusted with the verification of the validity of the information on those registered in the special section, in order to maintain or revoke their status.
Future developments
.The decree in question follows the act of about a month ago to establish the Directory of the Works of Digital Creators and is in the direction of 'Completing the strategy developed by the Ministry. This will be followed by the inter-ministerial decree that introduces a contribution of 3 million euro per year for investments made by CCIs in the country,' explained Undersecretary Borgonzoni, 'and immediately afterwards will follow the decree that will establish the Register of Cultural and Creative Enterprises of National Interest at the MiC. The 3 million planned for 2024 will not be lost and will accumulate with next year's funds.
