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Good Practice: Regulatory Impact Assessments - Methodology

To evaluate the quality and thoroughness of a sample of ten Regulatory Impact Assessments and draw out learning points, we use the following sources of evidence: detailed desk research; structured interviews with key departmental officers; and a review of departmental files.

We use a framework of questions to guide us, based on findings from our 2001 report Better Regulation: Making Good Use of Regulatory Impact Assessments (HC329, Session 2001-02) and our experiences from the pilot year in 2003-04. The framework covers six main areas of the RIA process, as indicated by the following questions:

• Was the RIA process well managed?
• Was effective consultation undertaken?
• Did the RIA assess costs and benefits appropriately?
• Did the RIA realistically assess compliance?
• Will the regulation be effectively monitored and evaluated?
• Did the RIA consider the impact of regulation on competition?

We discuss the RIAs with key bodies concerned with the regulatory process: The Better Regulation Commission; the Cabinet Office Better Regulation Executive; the Small Business Service and the Office of Fair Trading.

We also use an Expert Panel with whom we consult at key stages of the study. They provide us with informed comment on the scope of the study and the methodology, the findings of our detailed evaluations, and the draft of our Compendium Report.