Legal & contractual considerations including identification of potential legal risks & liabilities if appropriate.

Internationalising into Switzerland will be a great thing to do for Regenatec because of all the benefits which are available for them. When it comes to the legal aspects associated with entering a new market we must have a great understanding about any legal risks and laws which will have to be taken into consideration. I found out that risk management, also in the legal field, starts with understanding the environment you are going into and also the Swiss are law- abiding, but not particularly fond of hierarchy and (oppressive) authority (Kurer, 2013). There are many Swiss laws around renewable energy such as: 1) The UK- Swiss confederation taxation cooperation agreement: in the area of taxation, and came into force on 1st of January 2013 (Customs, 2013). The one-off payment will clear those tax liabilities relating to assets included in the figure of capital used in the payment calculation (Customs, The Swiss/UK Tax Cooperation Agreement and HM Revenue & Customs, 2012). When the business enters Switzerland they must be willing to pay taxes otherwise they will be breaking the law, but with this agreement there is an one-off payment. 2) Import approval: When imported goods are subject to regulatory controls and an import license or permit is required, the importer is responsible for requesting import permission from the appropriate department or agency (Fedex, 2013). Regenatec will be importing and exporting fuels regularly, so this affects the business dramatically and they must make sure that they have this permit. 3) Federal Act on the security units of public transport companies: Transport companies shall operate security units where necessary to protect passengers, employees, freight, infrastructure and vehicles, and to ensure the proper operation of their services (Confederation, 2010). This act can affect the organisation indirectly because once the engines are converted it is we will be liable if anything was to happen whilst it is operation with passengers and employees on it. 4) Federal Act on the protection of the environment: This act is intended to protect people, animals and plants, their biological communities and habitats against harmful effects or nuisances and to preserve the natural foundations of life sustainably (Confederation, Federal Act on the Protection of the Environment, 2010).

When converting the product the less harmful fuels the company must not be negligent towards the external environment around them. 5) The Swiss government has proposed legislation to lower taxes on fuels that produce fewer harmful emissions, and to abolish them completely on fuels from renewable resources (Switzerland, 2013). When this legislation comes into place it will be very good for the company because it means they will save a lot of money on the amount of expenses spent on fuel taxes.

All of these laws must be considered before entering and whilst operating in Switzerland. All of them will be relevant to Regenatec and our product which is UCO (Used cooking oil) fuel, low on carbon and is an improvement from bio fuels. In relation to contractual agreements in Switzerland contracts are not meant to be an invitation to negotiate (Kurer, 2013), so we need to be aware of this before trying to expand over there. There will be many legal and contractual considerations taken into account before entering this market, but throughout our report it will be clear to see that these are just a few barriers to a great a market. Switzerland still faces some challenges in business concerning its institutional framework and economic environment (Overseas, 2013).

Reference List
Confederation, T. F. (2010, August 1). Federal Act on the Protection of the Environment. Retrieved April 27, 2013, from Protection of the ecological balance: http://www.admin.ch/ch/e/rs/8/814.01.en.pdf Confederation, T. F. (2010, June 18). Federal Act on the Security Units of Public Transport Companies. Retrieved April 27, 2013, from Public Transport: http://www.admin.ch/ch/e/rs/7/745.2.en.pdf Customs, H. R. (2013, January 1). Tax Co-operations Agreements. Retrieved April 27, 2013, from UKSwiss Confederation Taxation Cooperation Agreement: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxtreaties/ukswiss.htm Customs, H. R. (2012, October n/a). The Swiss/UK Tax Cooperation Agreement and HM Revenue & Customs. Retrieved April 27, 2013, from (HMRC): http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxtreaties/swiss-disfactsheet.pdf Fedex. (2013, April 27). International Resource Center. Retrieved April 27, 2013, from Switzerland Country Profile: http://www.fedex.com/us/international/irc/profiles/irc_ch_profile.html Kurer, M. K. (2013). A GUIDE TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRES. Switzerland: a short guide to proper (legal) risk , 150. Overseas, S. (2013, April 2013). Expanding a business in Switzerland. Retrieved April 27, 2013, from Switzerland: Entering the market in Switzlerland: http://www.startupoverseas.co.uk/expanding-abusiness-in-switzerland/entering-the-market.html Switzerland, F. D. (2013, April 28). Environment. Retrieved April 28, 2013, from Vehicle Fuels: http://www.swissworld.org/en/environment/vehicle_fuels/vehicle_fuels/