Government produces "clearer" Regulators Code in bid to change culture

The Government has this week published a new Regulators’ Code designed to “help shape a fresh partnership between regulators and the businesses and communities they serve”.

The statutory code of practice is expected to replace the Regulators’ Compliance Code in Spring 2014. It provides a framework for how regulators – whether local authorities or national organisations – should interact with those they regulate.

A post implementation review of the Regulators’ Compliance Code found that although regulators had largely adopted its principles, “its delivery was inconsistent and it had not changed regulatory culture and practice”.

The new Regulators’ Code is designed to address these concerns, the Better Regulation Delivery Office said.

Under the new document, regulators should:

  • carry out their activities in a transparent way that helps those they regulate comply and grow;
  • provide simple and straightforward ways to engage with and hear the views of those they regulate;
  • base their regulatory activities on risk and share information about compliance and risk; and
  • ensure clear information, guidance and advice is available to help those they regulate meet their responsibilities to comply.

The BRDO suggested that the new code would improve transparency around how businesses can appeal regulators’ decisions and access data on appeal outcomes, responding to early findings of the Focus on Enforcement Appeals Review.

Business Minister Michael Fallon said: “Regulators’ actions can impact directly upon a business’s ability to succeed. It’s essential that hard-pressed firms are not swamped with unnecessary bureaucracy, but are given pertinent advice and support.

“This shorter, clearer Regulators’ Code will increase confidence in our regulatory system, helping serve the twin purposes of protection and prosperity.”

A copy of the new code can be viewed here. The Government said it would monitor published policies and standards of regulators subject to the Regulators’ Code, when implemented, and would challenge regulators where there was evidence that policies and standards are not in line with the Code or are not followed.