A stop to over 850,000 illegal operators posing as artisan entrepreneurs while operating in the shadows without the necessary requirements. The law that protects the terms "craftsmanship", "craftsman", and "artisan" goes into effect, punishing anyone who uses them without being registered in the register of artisan firms. "The era of terminological ambiguity has come to an end", says Confartigianato president Marco Granelli. "With the new legislation, which is included in the yearly SME statute, the phrase 'craftsman' no longer serves as an easy advertising adjective and instead becomes a legally protected title. The legislation imposes an unprecedented crackdown on illegal activity, targeting those who exploit the prestige and quality of Italian know-how, represented by 1,250,000 artisan companies employing 2,500,000 people".