Post Implementation Reviews (PIR)

What is a Post Implementation Review (PIR)?

A PIR, is a process to assess the effectiveness of a Regulation after it has been implemented and operational for a period of time. This is usually included as a requirement in the body of the legislation and it addresses the extent to which the Regulation has achieved its intended effects.

A PIR provides the analysis required to establish whether, and to what extent, the regulation:

• has achieved its original objectives
• has objectives which are still valid
• is still required and remains the best option for achieving those objectives; and
• can be improved to reduce the burden on business and its overall costs.

A statutory review report is prepared alongside the PIR to set out decisions to address the findings of the PIR.

How can stakeholders expect to be involved?

Where appropriate PIRs should seek to capture stakeholders' views about the effectiveness of the Regulation.  This can be done in a variety of ways, ranging from formal processes to more informal engagement.

The exercise is one of review, not consultation and stakeholders views are important in gauging the effectiveness of the measure.  They can input into the review in the following ways:

• The views and experiences of stakeholders can be used as part of the evidence base for the assessment of the implementation, outcomes and impacts of the regulation.
• Access to stakeholder datasets can help to improve the rigour of the review.
• Stakeholders can input into helping to identify areas for the PIR to focus on. For example, if stakeholders are generally content with most aspects of a regulation but particularly concerned by one element, the PIR could be focused to consider gathering more, higher quality, evidence on that element.

Stakeholders' views can be captured in a number of ways: written contributions, meetings, workshops, letters, email or web-based forums, public meetings, working groups, focus groups, social media engagement and quantitative and qualitative research. The selection of methods will depend on the nature of the policy area, the evidence required and the preferences of stakeholders.

HSE's statutory PIRs will be published on www.legislation.gov.uk.