Trade and commerce

The department’s responsibilities include commercial regulatory law, which provides the regulatory framework for carrying out commercial activities in the form of the trade regulations. Trade law regulations safeguard the general public and individuals against rogue traders, thereby ensuring the smooth running of economic processes and the protection of consumers.
The department is also responsible for combating money laundering, for enforcing the German Public Accountants Act at ministerial level, and for tasks arising from the legislation for the protection of prostitutes.
At municipal level, the department takes on trade authority responsibilities, including business registration, the issuing of permits for activities that require a licence, and the scheduling of trade fairs and markets. The department is the operator responsible for Bremen’s three major public fairs, Osterwiese, Freimarkt and the Christmas market.