Using the Better Regulation Framework
Documents and resources to help you apply the Better Regulation Framework when developing and evaluating policies and legislation that regulate business.
The Better Regulation Framework is a structured way of making sure the policies and legislation that regulate business are efficient, proportionate and based on evidence.
Use the framework guidance when:
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developing policy that will create or change a regulatory provision
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designing consultations on regulatory policy
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carrying out post-implementation reviews.
Regulatory provisions
Regulatory provisions place statutory requirements on businesses. They can be in an act of law or a statutory instrument or they can come from a body that has been given power to make regulations in an act of law.
This framework does not cover regulatory provisions that deal with:
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taxes, duties, levies or other charges
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procurement
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grants and other financial assistance made on behalf of a public body
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commencement orders
When to use the framework
Use the framework throughout the policy making process. The framework guidance explains how you should apply the framework:
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when you’re developing initial policy proposals, before you’ve done any formal or informal consultations
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once you’ve identified a regulatory provision as a preferred option
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when you’re doing a post implementation review of the regulation
Getting help with the framework
Get help to understand and comply with the framework from:
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your government department’s Better Regulation Unit (BRU)
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your department’s chief analyst’s office if your department does not have a BRU
2023 Better Regulation Framework guidance
Guidance, templates and other documents to help you follow the 2023 Better Regulation Framework.
The regulatory impact assessments guidance includes templates and calculators for regulatory impact assessments and options assessments.
The Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) guidance for departments and regulators includes guidance on:
- proportionality in regularity assessments
- Small and Micro Business Assessment (SaMBA)
- casework and case histories
- the scrutiny process
Post implementation review guidance
Post implementation reviews assess the effectiveness of regulatory provisions. They are a statutory requirement under Section 28 of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act (SBEE) 2015.
Post implementation reviews are carried out after a measure has been in operation for a certain period of time.
Previous version of the Better Regulation Framework
Only use this version of the framework if you are developing regulatory provisions that received early collective agreement under the old version of the framework.
Other guidance on designing regulatory policy
Guidance to help government departments design effective policy.