Defining the status of the craft worker and craft production unit is one of the areas of action of the PPART - Programme for the Promotion of Traditional Arts and Craft Micro-Enterprises for the Autonomous Region of the Azores, represented by the Regional Secretariat for the Economy through the Regional Centre for Handicrafts.

Decree-Law no. 41/2001 of 9 February, with the amendments contained in Decree-Law no. 110/2002 of 16 April, which approves the status of the craft worker and craft production unit, clearly defines the concept of craft work and the craft production unit, anticipating the process of recognition and creating a National Register of Handicraft.

This national legislation, which it is the responsibility of the Regional Centre for Handicrafts to implement within the region, is therefore a fundamental legal instrument for structuring, defining and regulating the group of economic activities associated with arts and crafts and also helps dignify the sector and its professionals and provide recognition of the essential role they may play in boosting local economies and employment.

Ordinance no. 1193/2003 of 13 October subsequently defined the legal requirements and proceedings for recognition of craft workers and craft production units and established regulations for the organisation and functioning of the National Register of Handicraft. This was regulated in the region by the Ordinance no. 20/2004 of 18 March.
 
 
THE CONCEPT OF THE CRAFT PRODUCTION UNIT

The craft production unit is considered to be any economic unit that has been legally established and duly registered as a sole proprietorship, limited liability individual establishment, cooperative, single-member company or commercial company involved in crafty activities

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RECOGNITION OF CRAFT PRODUCTION UNITS

General conditions

Recognition of the craft production unit is obtained by the granting of a document known as a "craft production unit licence", for one or more craft activities, provided that in each case all of the following conditions are met:

- The individual responsible for production holds a craft worker's licence;

- It employs a maximum of nine workers for its entire operations;

- It develops a business activity listed in the Directory of Craft Activities.