Government approves model of public utility certificate for noncommercial organizations

The Ministry of Justice’s Certification Commission will work on the basis of new regulations approved by the Government, Info-Prim Neo reports. Until now, the activity of this commission was governed by regulations approved by the Ministry of Justice, but after changes were made to the Law on Public Associations last June, the procedure for granting the public utility status to noncommercial organizations was reviewed. Thus, the Certification Commission will give or withdraw the public utility status granted to noncommercial organizations, will approve the activity reports of these entities, will deal with petitions and will constitute consultative councils and groups of experts to analyze and debate problems concerning the work of noncommercial organizations of public utility. The Government also approved the model of the public utility certificate that will be issued to noncommercial organizations. The public utility status is designed to differentiate the noncommercial organizations and foundations from those that pursue mutual benefit so that they could be taxed.