Agencies for Enterprises ('Agenzie per le imprese') introduced into our legal system by Presidential Decree No. 159/2010 (Art. 1(a); Art. 2(1) and (3); Art. 3) are private-sector entities with legal personality accredited by the Ministry of Economic Development (MISE) that serve a dual purpose:
a. Certifying compliance with legal requirements and prerequisites for engaging in business activity (supporting SUAPs in the preliminary steps of administrative procedures);
b. Issuing authorisations and permits with official legal standing in cases where the relevant procedures do not allow for any discretionary decisions by administrative authorities.
This is without prejudice to the authority of the competent administrations to verify the actual possession of the requirements and prerequisites subject to certification by the Agency for Enterprises. The above both in relation to the legitimacy of the business activity to be carried out by the undertaking concerned and for the purpose of assisting the surveillance activity falling within the competence of the Ministry of Economic Development with regard to the Agency's work (Article 5 of Presidential Decree 159/2010).