Recent approval of the Sectoral Authorizations Framework Law will reduce permit processing times by between 30% and 70%, without affecting regulatory standards.
With the passage of the Sectoral Permits Bill into law, Chile has taken a decisive step toward a more agile and efficient state.
This structural reform, promoted by the Economy Ministry, promises to accelerate the development of investment projects without compromising current regulatory or environmental standards.
On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, the Chamber of Deputies approved the amendments made by the Senate to the Sectoral Authorizations Framework Bill in its third legislative session, and signed it into law.
The initiative, presented in January 2024, is part of the government’s legislative fast track plan to promote economic growth.
«We are very happy, because it is a very important step forward for the country. After more than a year of processing, we have managed to approve this bill with cross-party support,» stated Economy, Development and Tourism Minister Nicolás Grau.
The main objective of the bill is to reduce processing times for sectoral permits by between 30% and 70%, by simplifying and modernizing administrative processes.
All of this without relaxing the technical or environmental standards established by Chilean regulations.
The new law proposes a series of solutions aimed at improving the processing of sectoral authorizations and making the interaction between investors and public services more efficient:
Minimum processing standards
The law establishes common rules for all sectoral permits:
Certain low-risk permits can be replaced by affidavits or legal notices. Alternative enabling methods will allow public resources to concentrate on authorizations that entail genuine risks.
Declarations will be subject to ex-post audit, with penalties for non-compliance.
«Our assessment as the executive branch is that one of the main reasons why sectoral permits take so long is because the services are backed up,» minister Grau explained. He added: «We are convinced that, with affidavits, all our efforts will be dedicated to the authorizations that truly entail risk.»
The use of the Digital One-Stop-Shop (SUPER platform) has been made an official state policy, which will consolidate all applications into a single, traceable system. Digitalization will improve transparency and reduce waiting times for investors.
The law also creates a new specialized entity: the Sectoral Authorizations and Investment Office, within the Economy Ministry. This office will be responsible for:
One of the central features of this law is its cross-cutting approach, and more than 40 sectoral laws have been amended to adapt them to the new framework. Among the affected sectors are:
These updates will allow all relevant authorizations to be governed by common principles, improving predictability and certainty for both Chilean and foreign investors.
The law was drafted through a collaborative effort between the executive branch and parliamentarians from different political groups. This collaboration has been key to consolidating a high-impact approach that balances efficiency with regulatory standards.
«We have always said that it was possible to improve the timescales without lowering regulatory standards, and that is precisely what has been achieved today,» minister Grau stated, emphasizing that this bill is a structural step towards improving the country’s competitiveness.
The Sectoral Authorizations Framework Law represents a key tool for accelerating the implementation of investment projects in Chile.
By simplifying procedures, using digital technologies and creating specialized institutions, the country is positioning itself as a more competitive and efficient investment destination.
The implementation of this law reinforces Chile’s commitment to modernizing the state without sacrificing standards, which will allow for faster progress toward sustainable development.
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