Posts Tagged ‘regulations’

Vietnamese Timber Suppliers Learn About Lacey Act

November 12th, 2010

Revisions to the American Lacey Act are being taught to Vietnamese timber suppliers in special workshops. The change in the law hopes to crackdown on the imports of illegal timber into the US from Asian countries.

Vietnam is the largest importer of furniture to the US, which means it is important they fully understand the revisions to the Lacey Act, or they will risk breaking the law. The Lacey Act is a centuries old piece of US legislation which was initially created to prevent the transportation of illegally captured wildlife across state lines. It has now been adapted to include timber products, and is the first law of its kind to prohibit the import, sale or trade of illegally harvested wood. Both suppliers and importing companies will be liable for any failures on the legality of timber imported into the US.

The event in Hanoi was co-organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the WWF’s Global Forest and Trade Network with support from the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Major attention was given at the event to combating illegal timber trafficking which is a hot topic at the moment.

Ha Cong Tuan, the Vietnam Directorate of Forestry Deputy General Director, confirmed Vietnam’s plant to adapt to the EU Action Plan. The EU ruling which took place earlier this year will effectively criminalise illegal timber trading and oblige EU member states to impose financial penalties on operators. Their tough stance reflects the extent of the problem, as it is believed that around 40% of the world’s wood production comes from illegally logged forests, which damages both employment and the eco-system.

Vietnam is the largest trader in US furniture and aims to sustain and expand its share through better management of the timber trade. The country is set to make around $3 billion from furniture exports this year. Cooperating in tackling illegal logging will benefit Vietnamese producers, because as demand increases, Vietnam can gain market access by increasing its supply of legitimate timber products.

Visit the timber suppliers Oregon Canadian for a range of softwood timber products.


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Hot Dog Stand Licenses And Regulations

October 30th, 2010

Starting a successful enterprise of a hotdog stand involves compliance with several local rules and regulations. To be on the safe side of the law, you need to equip yourself with several licenses and permits, the details of which we will discuss in this article.

Each state has its own set of rules regarding setting up a hotdog stand and this article does not feature precise policies of all the states. Instead, we have focused on some general guidelines to help you set up your enterprise safely. The exact requirements of individual states can be found out if you enquire with local authorities.

Basically, a hotdog vendor needs to obtain a license to run his business, a permit issued by the sales tax authorities, another license from the health department as well as a license to operate from a particular place.

In the case of your intention to operate from a public park or street, you need to approach the local authorities, park officials, or the police department for the required license.

If the area you have targeted is overcrowded, there may be a delay in procuring the license and you are left with the alternative of either waiting or shifting your interests to some other locality.

But if you desire to operate your hotdog vending business from a private area, all which is required is the permission from the property owner.

You will need to submit your details regarding the hotdog cart design, its facilities and equipments to the local health authorities for getting a permit issued. As per usual health norms, the stand or trailer should be equipped with adequate cooking gear, hot and cold running water, refrigerator, and sink and moreover, the cook should handle everything with gloves and use hair restraints during the cooking process.

Submitting a copy of the menu to the health department is also mandatory. It must be noted that most states allow hotdog vendors to deal only with pre-cooked hotdogs and restrict them from using stuff like mayonnaise or other toppings which could turn bad easily.

Your hotdog business needs to maintain high standards at all times and it must be remembered that you will be subject to frequent inspections.

Certain state laws require hotdog businesses to have access to a commissary or a commercial kitchen to store your goods, prepare food, and to clean your equipments.

Churches, schools, or restaurants often let out their kitchen space after working hours and you can find one such place easily in your locality. But very often, you may not be spending much time here as most vendors stock up on only necessary items required per day.

Certain states require vendors to complete a course in hygiene and food preparation before embarking on their business. Such courses are very easy and could even be attempted online.

Provided that one completes all the required government formalities, it is easy to obtain a hotdog stand permit. You only need to remember to carry your permits about you so that you do not face any problem in the course of a sudden inspection.

For further reading – Hot Dog Pricing and How to Start a Hot Dog Stand


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Make Money From A UK Investment Property

September 8th, 2010

The world economy is still recovering from a global economic crisis and there is no doubt the financial situations of certain countries are not ideal. These lately occurring events have actually caused the price of property to drop drastically and have increased the level of difficulty involved in acquiring a sizable bank loan. Even though the UK has not been immune to these events, it is still able to hold its own on the world economic stage. UK Investment property is still big business and there are lucrative real estate investment opportunities for investors to take advantage of. In order to get substantial returns on real estate investments there are certain key elements that warrant consideration.

There are various properties available in the UK for purchase by the investor. You have to choose property that will give a return on your investment. It is important that you choose wisely. Properties that are available include properties for rent, land and commercial properties such office spaces and shopping malls. Once you decide what you decide on the type of property you want, you can divide your property into smaller packages to maximize your earnings. For example a commercial building maybe divided up into smaller spaces to provide office spaces for lease by local business owners.

The use of certain types of real estate is often regulated by certain zoning regulations. When purchasing any commercial property it is important to check for restrictions that maybe placed on it. For example, you do not want to purchase a building for use as a shopping center only to realize that using that building for commercial purposes is against zoning rules and regulations.

Another factor to consider is location. Where your property is located can impact on how much money you will actually make on your investment. You do not want to own commercial property or a mall that is located in an area of low population density that is too far from any major settlements and residential areas.

Before you even buy a piece of property for investment purposes it is important that you employ a competent real estate professional. A well trained and experienced real estate professional will point you in the right direction and may alert you when there are great deals on properties that fall within your budget.

Hiring a good lawyer to oversea any paperwork that maybe generated from the property investment process is a must. A competent lawyer with training and experience in commercial investments can help you guard your investment as well as clarify any written laws concerning the process that you may need to be knowledgeable of.

UK property investment is definitely a good way to make money for those who are able to access substantial bank loans. Despite the recent global recession the UK still has a fairly stable economic and political environment. The United Kingdom has a well developed property market structure which makes it ideal for individuals seeking to make substantial profits from UK property development.

To find more support as well as suggestions that’s regarding no money down property plus investment property check us out.


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A Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help You Defend Against A Misdemeanor Charge

August 31st, 2010

A misdemeanor isn’t as heavy as other crimes but you can be charged for it and this will become part of your permanent record. Fortunately, you can fight it with the help of a criminal defense lawyer.

When you are charted with a misdemeanor, you are given a citation which states the date and time that you will appear in court.

Do you have to see a lawyer? Some people do so immediately so they can be guided throughout the process. For that, you have to hire one. Surely you can get somebody because if you don’t, a state appointed lawyer will be the one to help you but they don’t do that well compared to private counsel.

For you to quality a state appointed counsel, you will have to fill up a form. You will also be required to reimburse the state for the legal services of the public defender.

When you finally hire a lawyer, tell them what happened because only then will they be able to figure out a strategy to help you out. For instance, your lawyer can argue that illegal items that were found in your possession were planted. If that is the case, during the arraignment proceedings, you will enter a plea of not guilty.

What is the difference between a plea of guilty and not guilty? If you enter a guilty plea, you give up the right to a trial since you admit to the crime. However, when you plead not guilty, you will stand trial and the jury will decide whether or not you are really guilty of the crime.

Here, the prosecution will be bringing in witnesses, police reports and the evidence. Your criminal defense lawyer will have the chance here to dispute the findings and if he or she is successful, reasonable doubt is achieved and your chances of getting a not guilty verdict become higher.

Once the closing arguments are made, the jury will now deliberate. If you are found to be not guilty, then you walk. But if you are guilty, then you will be sentenced shortly which may mean paying a fine, spending some time in jail, doing community service and placed on probation. You can appeal your case of course which will be done by your criminal defense lawyer.

The objective in this proceeding is to get you a not guilty verdict so you don’t have to spend time in jail. However, if you are guilty and given the option to make a deal, perhaps you should take it.

The process of facing a misdemeanor charge is the same even if you are below 18 years of age. The only difference is that a parent or guardian is also present together with your lawyer when you have to face the judge.

Since being charged with a misdemeanor isn’t that serious, some people decide to represent themselves. If you decide to do this, make sure you are familiar with the law and the procedures involved in your case because during trial, no one will help you or advise you on what you should do. But if are not sure how the legal process goes, why trouble yourself when you can hire a criminal defense lawyer who does this for a living.

You can find more Criminal Law Articles at Submit Articles


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New Colorado Medical Marijuana Law Regulations

June 12th, 2010

Colorado voters legalized medical marijuana in 2001, with the passage of a state constitutional amendment. The industry languished after the amendment became effective, since marijuana was still illegal under federal law. The risk of federal prosecution, even though medical cannabis was technically legal under state law, was simply too great. However, in 2009, the federal government indicated an unwillingness to enforce federal drug laws in contravention to the 14 state medical marijuana laws effective around the county. This led to an explosion of the medical marijuana industry in Colorado. Dispensaries have proliferated statewide, and the number of patients has increased exponentially.

The prominence of this legal drug trade has led to outcry for legislative limits on the medical marijuana industry. Colorado’s legislature has responded with HB 1284, a plan to hit dispensaries with new fees and regulations.

The new law dramatically hikes fees dispensaries must pay to stay in business. The state plans on collecting $2 million to help pay for enforcement of the new regulations. This will likely put the smaller dispensaries out of business.

Individual cities and counties will gain the ability to ban dispensaries altogether. However, individual caregivers will still be allowed to provide marijuana to up to five patients wherever a ban takes effect.

Other regulations include limits on who may own or invest in dispensaries. For example, owners must be Colorado residents and must pass a criminal background check. Investors must also pass a background check.

Under the new law, no medical marijuana dispensary may be located within 1000 feet of schools, universities, seminaries, or child-care facilities. The dispensaries must also grow 70% of their product.

Several attorneys in Colorado have been vocal about plans to sue for an injunction against the new law, claiming that the law violates the constitutional amendment. This will surely be a volatile issue over the next decade.

Mr. Laybourne is a Colorado accident attorney at the law firm of McDowell Laybourne & Rodemer, LLC. Mr. Laybourne’s practice as a lawyer in Colorado Springs. includes criminal defense, DUI/DWAI and misdemeanor matters. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service


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