News

The administrative simplification of legal processes and the technification of State institutions has allowed the modernization and improvement of time and processes in multiple procedures. Honduras is currently considering a massive transition to digital phases, from tax to regulatory issues, which allows users to manage their permits online in a much shorter period. This modernization and access to the process allow at the same time that every day more people and businesses become regularized due to the fact that the process is increasingly simple, thus implementing the premise: “do it yourself”.

The new regulatory authority in Honduras (ARSA) was created in 2017 and has implemented through big steps the modernization in regulatory matters of products and establishments of health interest for human use and consumption. One of the first modifications was the elimination of pre-approval steps such as local inspections or pre-registration analysis. Although there was a risk to society, the change was accompanied by intensive surveillance campaigns in the field that allow those who do not meet health standards to be held accountable.

Among other modernizations, ARSA has established temporary import permits that allow the introduction and commercialization of products for up to 6 months (except medicines of any kind and pesticides for domestic use) that can be extended for an additional period, which allows market tests to be carried out at lower costs. The Authority is currently organizing itself to implement permanent records management platforms for cosmetic and hygienic records. This platform will allow the online submission of the application, the management in a period of less than 1 month and the obtention of the permit without need of intervention of responsible professionals. The formal implementation of this process is estimated for the year 2020, the first tests are intended to begin in September 2019.

Graciela Cruz Raudales
Partner
García & Bodán
Honduras