Perhaps not everyone knows that Art. 5-ter of Italian Decree-Law 1/2012 (converted into Law 62/2012) allows companies to request and obtain from AGCM (the Italian Antitrust Authority) the attribution of a legality rating.
Through such certification, companies having certain requirements are able to obtain many competitive advantages and economic benefits which their unrated competitors do not have.
Indeed, the legality rating offers enterprises more business opportunities, greater market transparency and visibility, as well as a better image in their home country (thanks to the special section on the Authority’s website where the names of the rated companies appear).
Besides the mentioned advantages, the legality rating offers also economic benefits.
Legality ratings are recognized by law by public authorities, which take the ratings into account when issuing calls for tenders and when granting loans (in particular, the rated companies are granted preference in rankings, are entitled to the award of additional points and of a reserve of the share of the allocated funds).
Also banks take into account the rating, reducing the time and costs involved in the obtainment of loans by rated companies, and varying the determination of the economic conditions of the credit management procedures (in cases where it is relevant compared to the trend of the credit relationship).
Lastly, in the new Italian procurement code, there are specific advantages for companies in possession of the legal rating in articles 93 and 95.
Zunarelli – Studio Legale Associato offers assistance to companies interested in achieving the legality rating during all phases aimed at obtaining the certification, verifying the existence of the requirements, drafting the application to AGCM and handling any stage of the appeal in case of refusal.
(Bologna Office – Federico Tassinari – Tel. 0039 (0)51 2750020)
