Regulatory impact assessment
NZAIA briefing on RIA PDF 227 KB (Jan. 2024)
This is an overview of RIA, prompted by the widespread media interest in RIA in December 2023. It has been prepared for the benefit of NZAIA members and the wider impact assessment community.
The briefing document can be distributed freely, but must not be altered or reprinted without authorisation from NZAIA. Use of the material should give full attribution to NZAIA.
Other commentaries:
In defence of RIS Henry Cooke, Dec 13 2023
ACT's attempt at regulatory reform in NZ has failed 3 times already – what's different now? Jane Kelsey, The Conversation, 24 Dec 2023 (reproduced on RNZ website)
This is an overview of RIA, prompted by the widespread media interest in RIA in December 2023. It has been prepared for the benefit of NZAIA members and the wider impact assessment community.
The briefing document can be distributed freely, but must not be altered or reprinted without authorisation from NZAIA. Use of the material should give full attribution to NZAIA.
Other commentaries:
In defence of RIS Henry Cooke, Dec 13 2023
ACT's attempt at regulatory reform in NZ has failed 3 times already – what's different now? Jane Kelsey, The Conversation, 24 Dec 2023 (reproduced on RNZ website)
New Zealand guidance
Guide to Cabinet’s Impact Analysis Requirements (June 2020) (PDF 871 KB)
This is the latest available guide to the New Zealand RIA process, produced by Treasury within the context of the then Government's requirements for good regulatory practice. The most recent best practice guide is:
Best Practice Impact Analysis. (June 2017) (PDF 870 KB)
The Treasury also released a guidance note on consultation:
Effective Consultation for Impact Analysis (Dec 2019) (PDF 590 KB)
As of 2024, with the new coalition government planning to establish a Ministry for Regulation, it is likely these guidance documents will be changed in due course.
The following is the last in a series of reports evaluating the RIA process, produced by Castalia, Dec. 2016.
Regulatory Impact Analysis Evaluation 2016: Identifying the Factors Which Influence Quality. Report to The Treasury
This is the latest available guide to the New Zealand RIA process, produced by Treasury within the context of the then Government's requirements for good regulatory practice. The most recent best practice guide is:
Best Practice Impact Analysis. (June 2017) (PDF 870 KB)
The Treasury also released a guidance note on consultation:
Effective Consultation for Impact Analysis (Dec 2019) (PDF 590 KB)
As of 2024, with the new coalition government planning to establish a Ministry for Regulation, it is likely these guidance documents will be changed in due course.
The following is the last in a series of reports evaluating the RIA process, produced by Castalia, Dec. 2016.
Regulatory Impact Analysis Evaluation 2016: Identifying the Factors Which Influence Quality. Report to The Treasury
From the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, a webpage that encourages policymakers to "[take]challenges faced by the rural sector into account when designing and implementing policies." They call this Rural Proofing.
Rural proofing: guidance for policymakers
"New Zealand's rural communities face unique challenges. Find out how to consider the needs of rural communities when developing policies."
Their interactive learning module provides:
"...a 7-step process for effective rural proofing. The steps include:
Rural proofing: guidance for policymakers
"New Zealand's rural communities face unique challenges. Find out how to consider the needs of rural communities when developing policies."
Their interactive learning module provides:
"...a 7-step process for effective rural proofing. The steps include:
- identifying policy objectives and rural stakeholders
- analysing the effects on rural communities
- engaging with rural stakeholders
- identifying ways to mitigate any negative impacts."
European Commission (EC) guidance
The EC uses the name Impact Assessment (IA) rather than Regulatory Impact Assessment, but in recent years has emphasised the regulatory context again by referring to Better Regulation with its guidance on IA. It is important top recognise that IA is used by the Commission to evaluate proposed EC policies that will affect EU function across the member nations. It is distinct from EIA and SEA that member countries are required to use for major projects and plans, respectively.
This is the latest guide for IA from the EC (Nov 2021): Better Regulation Guidelines (PDF 664KB)
The following Toolbox (July 2023) has more detailed information about the nature, context and production of IAs, for staff in EC Directorates. Lots of "tools" for the various steps in the IA process, as set out by the EC.
Better Regulation Toolbox (PDF 6.6MB)
The EC uses the name Impact Assessment (IA) rather than Regulatory Impact Assessment, but in recent years has emphasised the regulatory context again by referring to Better Regulation with its guidance on IA. It is important top recognise that IA is used by the Commission to evaluate proposed EC policies that will affect EU function across the member nations. It is distinct from EIA and SEA that member countries are required to use for major projects and plans, respectively.
This is the latest guide for IA from the EC (Nov 2021): Better Regulation Guidelines (PDF 664KB)
The following Toolbox (July 2023) has more detailed information about the nature, context and production of IAs, for staff in EC Directorates. Lots of "tools" for the various steps in the IA process, as set out by the EC.
Better Regulation Toolbox (PDF 6.6MB)
Australian guidance
Australian Government Guide to Policy Impact Analysis March 2023 (PDF 2.4 MB)
"[The Guide] assists in identifying the costs and benefits of policy changes and the cohorts where they would be realised. The Guide encourages policy makers to think about potential impacts early in the policy process." (p.4)
User Guide to the Australian Government Guide to Policy Impact Analysis May 2023 (PDF 377 KB)
"The Australian Government Guide to Policy Impact Analysis is intended for policy officers and anyone else involved in analysing, developing or implementing policy where options under consideration would have an associated expectation of compliance and result in a more than minor change in behaviour or impact. An important point to remember is that the Impact Analysis is a departmental document." (p. 4)
"[The Guide] assists in identifying the costs and benefits of policy changes and the cohorts where they would be realised. The Guide encourages policy makers to think about potential impacts early in the policy process." (p.4)
User Guide to the Australian Government Guide to Policy Impact Analysis May 2023 (PDF 377 KB)
"The Australian Government Guide to Policy Impact Analysis is intended for policy officers and anyone else involved in analysing, developing or implementing policy where options under consideration would have an associated expectation of compliance and result in a more than minor change in behaviour or impact. An important point to remember is that the Impact Analysis is a departmental document." (p. 4)
OECD RIA resources
The most recent OECD guide to Regulatory Impact Assessment is posted on their website: it can be read online for free, but there is a charge to download the PDF.
There are many other useful publications reports on the main OECD RIA website, dating from the first RIA guide in 1997!
The most recent OECD guide to Regulatory Impact Assessment is posted on their website: it can be read online for free, but there is a charge to download the PDF.
There are many other useful publications reports on the main OECD RIA website, dating from the first RIA guide in 1997!
Page updated 5.3.24