Regulatory impact assessments

The Government has asked that no proposal for regulation which has an impact on businesses, charities or voluntary bodies, should be considered by Ministers without a regulatory impact assessment (RIA) being carried out.

An RIA is a policy tool which assesses the impact, in terms of costs, benefits and risks of any proposed regulation. A full RIA reflects the results of consultation - it is important that all those who will be affected by a proposal are given the opportunity to comment - and presents a range of options from regulation to non-regulatory alternatives such as codes of practice. It is submitted to Ministers with recommendations for action, future monitoring and evaluation.

This website includes copies of final RIAs, partial RIAs for proposals that are currently open to consultation may be accessed via the related consultative document.

Further information on RIAs may be obtained from the main RIA guidance on the Cabinet Office website, the SBS website (under 'regulations').