Better Regulation Executive

Related Links

• Local Better Regulation Office
• Implementing Hampton – Latest developments
• Implementing Hampton – background

Internet Links

• Explanatory Notes on the Regulatory Reform Act
• Small Business Service
• Better Regulation website
• Better Regulation Commission

Feedback

• Website feedback
• Email updates
• Send to a friend

Enforcement concordat - background

The first major instrument that the Government introduced to tackle weaknesses in the UK regulatory enforcement regime was the Enforcement Concordat, which the Cabinet Office published in 1998.

• Enforcement Concordat [PDF 20KB, 1 page]

The Enforcement Concordat was based on the principles that businesses should:

• receive clear explanations from enforcers of what they need to do and by when;
• have opportunities to resolve differences before enforcement action is taken – unless immediate action is needed;
• receive an explanation of their rights of appeal

The Enforcement Concordat is a voluntary code of practice. Even so, it has, to date, been adopted by 96% of all central and local government bodies with enforcement functions.

However, while the Enforcement Concordat brought some clarity into the UK regulatory enforcement regime, it was only partially successful in its aims of changing regulatory culture and practice. This was due to two main factors:

• First, although the Enforcement Concordat was adopted by virtually all regulatory bodies with enforcement functions, its implementation was patchy and inconsistent across the country, which caused difficulties for those regulated, and
• Secondly, the Enforcement Concordat did not place sufficient weight on risk–based enforcement, a key necessity to ensure that enforcement activities are proportionate and targeted.

The Small Business Service (SBS) are promoting the Enforcement Concordat and hold details of those regulators that have adopted the Concordat. Greater details of the Small Business Service's work can be found at the Department of Trade and Industry website.[External website]