Setting the scene: The importance of regulatory policy (2024)

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Regulatory Policy and Governance

Supporting Economic Growth and Serving the Public Interest

Setting the scene: The importance of regulatory policy (1)

Regulations are indispensable to the proper functioning of economies and societies. They underpin markets, protect the rights and safety of citizens and ensure the delivery of public goods and services. At the same time, regulations are rarely costless. Businesses complain that red tape holds back competitiveness while citizens complain about the time that it takes to fill out government paperwork. More worrying still, regulations can be inconsistent with the achievement of policy objectives. They can have unintended consequences and they can become less effective or even redundant over time. The 2008 financial crisis, and the ensuing and ongoing economic downturn are stark reminders of the consequence of regulatory failure.

Reflecting the importance of getting regulation right, this report encourages governments to “think big” about the relevance of regulatory policy. It assesses the recent efforts of OECD countries to develop and deepen regulatory policy and governance. It evaluates the comprehensive policy cycle by which regulations are designed, assessed and evaluated, revised, and enforced at all levels of government. It describes progress developing a range of regulatory management tools including consultation, Regulatory Impact Assessment, and risk and regulation. It also illustrates more nascent effort to promote regulatory governance including creating accountability and oversight of regulatory agencies and creating a “whole of government” approach for regulatory design and enforcement. The report provides ideas on developing a robust regulatory environment, a key to returning to a stronger, fairer and more sustainable growth path.

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English Also available in:French

Chapter

Setting the scene: The importance of regulatory policy

Regulation is of critical importance in shaping the welfare of economies and society. The objective of regulatory policy is to ensure that regulation works effectively, and is in the public interest. Regulatory policy, a comparatively young discipline, is taking shape in different ways across OECD members and beyond. Different pathways, however, are tending towards common objectives. Many OECD countries did not have a regulatory policy ten years ago; nearly all do now. There is growing interest in using regulatory policy to address broad societal concerns such as distributional equity and sustainable development. There is no room for complacency for the work which lies ahead to transform regulatory policy into a truly effective support for meeting public policy goals.

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English Also available in:French

Author(s)
OECD

25 Oct 2011

23 pages

https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264116573-4-en

Pages:17- 39

Setting the scene: The importance of regulatory policy (2024)

FAQs

Why are regulatory policies important? ›

governance, regulatory policy helps to shape the relationship between the state, citizens and businesses. An effective regulatory policy supports economic development as well as the rule of law, helping policy makers to reach informed decisions about what to regulate, whom to regulate, and how to regulate.

What is an example of regulatory policy? ›

Some examples of regulatory policies include removing lead from gasoline, minimum wages for workers, and having airbags in all cars.

What is the importance of regulation? ›

Regulations are rules that are enforced by governmental agencies. They are important because they set the standard for what you can and cannot do in business. They make sure we play by the same rules and protect us as citizens.

How does regulatory policy affect the economy? ›

Regulations impact the economy by establishing fair pricing rules. Economic regulations are regulations that place restrictions on what businesses and employees of businesses are allowed to do with regard to monetary and economic gain.

Why is it important to follow regulatory requirements? ›

Regulatory Compliance in the US

Compliance laws protect consumers from any harmful consequences of the firm's operations, help the firm protect its reputation, and help senior management and leadership avoid criminal liability.

What are the main purposes of regulatory? ›

The primary regulatory purpose is defined as the achievement of quality control of a subject system, its process or its product.

What is an example of a regulatory example? ›

Common examples of regulation include limits on environmental pollution, laws against child labor or other employment regulations, minimum wages laws, regulations requiring truthful labelling of the ingredients in food and drugs, and food and drug safety regulations establishing minimum standards of testing and quality ...

What is the regulatory process in policy? ›

The process for creating federal regulations generally has three main phases: initiating rulemaking actions, developing proposed rules, and developing final rules. In practice, however, this process is often complex, requiring regulatory analysis, internal and interagency reviews, and opportunities for public comments.

What is a regulatory goal? ›

There are four primary goals of regulation: restrictive regulation, reactive regulation, proactive regulation, and transparent regulation. Many regulators draw upon some combination of these four ideals in their work. The extent to which each goal is utilized varies from regulator to regulator.

Why is it important to comply with regulations? ›

Regulatory compliance is a big deal for businesses of all sizes. Not only does it help organizations pass audits and demonstrate due diligence, it also protects organizations from legal repercussions in a data breach or other incident. In addition to this, complying with regulations helps foster customer trust as well.

What is the main function of regulation? ›

Regulation involves enforcement by public sector agencies of controls and restrictions on certain activities.

What is a regulatory requirement? ›

A regulatory requirement is a rule that a government entity imposes on an organization. Some federal and state laws govern virtually all organizations. Regulations govern how organizations manage their business and employees and how they interact with customers, among many other areas.

What is self-regulatory policy? ›

Self-Regulation is regulation which is carried out (that is policed) by bodies other than an arm of government. (Arms of government include government departments and 'arms length bodies' which have statutory powers and are funded by the taxpayer.)

What is the difference between a policy and a regulatory? ›

Regulations are restrictive in nature and impose sanctions upon people and companies whereas policies are unwritten but help in guiding the organizations to achieve their long term goals. Governments change but the basic foreign policy of a country remains the same.

What does regulatory mean? ›

adjective. of or relating to the control or direction of an activity by a set of rules, laws, etc.: The Coast Guard is to be commended for this current regulatory effort, as their proposed restriction addresses many concerns of the seafaring community.

Why is it important for us to follow rules and regulations? ›

We should follow rules to have a disciplined society. If one does not follow rules and do whatever he/she wishes to do then there will be a chaos all around. For example on roads if we don't follow the traffic rules then no one will be able to reach his/her destination on time and several accidents will take place.

What is the importance of regulatory strategy? ›

A regulatory strategy is a foundational document that clearly outlines the critical regulatory pathways and objectives to ensure adequate planning to bring a new product to market, as well as the overall sustainability and the product end of life.

Why is it important to have laws and regulations? ›

Laws protect our general safety, and ensure our rights as citizens against abuses by other people, by organizations, and by the government itself. We have laws to help provide for our general safety. These exist at the local, state and national levels, and include things like: Laws about food safety.

Why are regulations important in healthcare? ›

Regulations are necessary to standardize and supervise healthcare, ensuring that healthcare bodies and facilities comply with public health policies and that they provide safe care to all patients and visitors to the healthcare system.

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