Italy implements Law 34 to penalize unauthorized use of craftsmanship terms

Italy's Law 34, which took effect on March 11, introduces strict penalties for the unauthorized use of terms related to craftsmanship. Businesses that improperly use words such as ‘artigiano’, ‘artigianato’, or ‘artigianale’ for commercial, advertising, or marketing purposes face fines of at least €25,000 or up to 1% of their total turnover.

Under the new regulations, these terms are strictly reserved for companies officially registered with the Albo delle Imprese Artigiane (AIA) at the Chamber of Commerce. The law applies across various sectors, including hairdressing, aesthetics, auto repair, and construction.

Elisa Rodighiero, director of the CNA, stated that the measure aims to protect the local economy from abusive practices that obscure the quality of genuine artisanal work. To combat this issue, the CNA has invited municipal administrations to sign a memorandum of understanding; currently, eight municipalities in the Mantova region, including Mantova itself, have joined the initiative.