SECTION 1

Any merchant, natural person or legal entity including all commercial companies in which a State or any other entity governed by public law is associated, as well as any economic interestgroups ,whoseestablishmentor registered officeislocatedontheterritoryofoneofStatesparty to theTreatyon the Harmonization in Africa of BusinessLaw, hereinafter referred to as “States Parties”, shall be governed by the provisions of this Uniform Act. Individuals who have opted for the status of entrepreneur shall also be governed by this Uniform Act under the conditions defined hereinafter, except where otherwise provided. Furthermore, any merchantor any entrepreneurshall remain subject to the laws not contraryto this Uniform Actthatareapplicableinthe Statepartywhereislocatedhis establishment or registered office. Natural persons or legal entities and economic interest groups formed or being formed on the date of entry into force of this Uniform Act, shallharmonize the terms of their businessoperations with the new legislation within a period of two years from the publication of this Uniform Act in the Official Journal. Passed this deadline, any interested partymay file a motion with the competent court so as to order compliance with suchlegislation, , where necessary,under a penalty.