# Law No. 6368 of October 21, 1976

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105659739](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105659739)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-6368-of-october-21-1976

## Summary
**Law No. 6368 of October 21, 1976** (Portuguese: *Lei nº 6.368, de 21 de outubro de 1976*) is a Brazilian statute enacted during the presidency of Ernesto Geisel. Published in Brasília, it is a formal legal document classified as a statute that addresses a wide range of regulatory subjects including economic value, trade, import and export, and legal norms. It serves as a manifestation of statutory law applicable to the jurisdiction of Brazil.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 6.368, de 21 de outubro de 1976.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 6368/1976.
- **Classification:** Instance of a statute (formal written document that creates law).
- **Enactment Date:** October 21, 1976.
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil; signed by President Ernesto Geisel via promulgation.
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies to Brazil.
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Publication Location:** Brasília, Brazil.
- **LexML ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1976-10-21;6368`.
- **Official URL:** Available at `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l6368.htm`.
- **Subject Matter:** Encompasses 54 distinct subjects including economic value, government programs, trade (import/export), industrial sector, legal norms, educational institutions, and penalties (fines).

## FAQs
**What is the legal classification of Law No. 6368?**
It is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law. As a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule," it functions as the concrete manifestation of statutory law within the Brazilian legal system.

**Who approved and enacted Law No. 6368?**
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil. It was specifically promulgated by President Ernesto Geisel on October 21, 1976.

**What topics does Law No. 6368 cover?**
The statute addresses a broad spectrum of regulatory topics, including economic value, government programs, trade (imports and exports), industrial sectors, legal norms, educational institutions, authorization procedures, and penalties such as fines.

**Where can the official text of Law No. 6368 be accessed?**
The official text is accessible online via the Brazilian Presidency's website at `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l6368.htm`. It is also indexed under the LexML identifier `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1976-10-21;6368`.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 6368 matters as a primary instrument of government authority in Brazil, representing the tangible written evidence of legal rules enacted during the military dictatorship period. As a statute, it embodies the concept of statutory law, serving as a definitive reference point for courts, citizens, and administrators regarding the subjects it regulates. Its extensive scope—covering everything from economic production and trade to educational requirements and legal penalties—demonstrates the comprehensive nature of legislative acts in structuring societal and economic functions. Furthermore, its status as a public domain document ensures that the public has unrestrained access to the laws they must follow, reinforcing the principles of open government and the rule of law.

## Notable For
- **Broad Regulatory Scope:** Distinguished by its coverage of 54 distinct subject matters, ranging from "economic value" and "trade" to "crime" and "penalties."
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during the administration of President Ernesto Geisel, reflecting the legislative priorities of Brazil's military government era.
- **Legal Standardization:** Serves as a key example of Brazilian federal legislation, identified globally through the Schema.org `Legislation` class equivalent.
- **Public Accessibility:** Notable for its availability through official government portals and its status as a non-copyrightable public domain document under the edict of government doctrine.

## Body
### Definition and Legal Status
Law No. 6368 is defined as a **statute**, a formal written document that creates law. It is taxonomically classified as an instance of a "legal term or legal concept" and a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule." The law functions as a manifestation of statutory law and contains "legal norms" as integral parts of its structure. It was created through the legislative process, following "draft laws," and was caused by a "legal act."

### Enactment and Authority
The statute was officially approved by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**. The act of approval was determined through **promulgation** by **Ernesto Geisel**, who served as the President at the time. The point in time for this approval was **October 21, 1976**. The law applies to the jurisdiction of **Brazil** and was published in the capital city of **Brasília**.

### Subject Matter and Scope
The law addresses a vast array of subjects, indicating its comprehensive regulatory nature. The primary subjects explicitly stated in the legislation include:
- **Economic Activities:** Economic value, economic production, trade, import, export, sales, purchasing, and business.
- **Governance and Administration:** Government programs, Federal Government of Brazil, Federal District, federative units of Brazil (States), and federal territories.
- **Legal Framework:** Legislation, legal norms, authorization, prohibition, obligation, competency, and procedures.
- **Social and Educational Aspects:** Educational institutions, teachers, physicians, and charitable organizations.
- **Enforcement and Penalties:** Transgression, crime, fines (penalty), control, inspection (*Fiscalização*), and penalties.

### Publication and Identification
The law is officially recorded with the **LexML Brazil ID**: `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1976-10-21;6368`. It is cited legally as **Lei nº 6368/1976**. The full text is available in **Brazilian Portuguese** at the official Planalto Palace website URL: `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l6368.htm`.

### Context within Brazilian Law
As a Brazilian statute, the law is situated within the broader context of Brazil's legal history. Brazil, a federal republic and the largest country in South America, operates under a legal system where statutes are the primary instruments for exercising government authority. This law contributes to the body of statutory law that governs the nation, distinct from but related to the Constitution of Brazil (effective October 5, 1988) and other legislative acts. It is part of the "WikiProject Brazilian Laws" focus list on Wikimedia projects, highlighting its relevance to legal knowledge bases.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1976-10-21;6368)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6368&ano=1976&data=21/10/1976&ato=0e7oXRq50MnRVTd44)