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The RIA flowchart shows how the RIA fits into the policymaking process.
You should start work on your initial RIA as early as possible after you hear about the policy idea. You must follow the online step-by-step RIA Guidance. You should also seek advice from specialists such as economists, statisticians and scientists as early as possible in the RIA process
Initial RIAs can sit alongside policy option submissions to ministers. They also provide a helpful framework for discussion when taking early informal soundings with external bodies, for instance with small businesses that might be affected. Initial RIAs identify areas where more information needs to be obtained so that you can plan early how you will do this.
RIAs are also required to be issued both alongside formal public consultations, at the Green Paper stage, and to accompany Cabinet correspondence when seeking Committee clearance for policy changes, for example the publication of a White Paper.
A final RIA must be laid in the House alongside legislation and published on your department's website whether or not there will be legislation.
You will not secure collective ministerial agreement to proceed without an adequate RIA.
All regulatory proposals likely to impose a major new burden on business require clearance from the Panel for Regulatory Accountability, chaired by the Prime Minister. The two main exemptions from this are emergency legislation and tax matters considered by the Chancellor in the course of normal budgetary processes. The Panel's consideration is based on a thorough RIA for the proposal being agreed by the Cabinet Office Better Regulation Executive, before the proposal can be put forward for wider ministerial approval. The Panel considers all such proposals in the context of the department's previous regulatory performance and the burden of regulation across key business sectors.
In the European context, an initial RIA can be used to influence Commission thinking before a proposal is adopted. Further guidance is available in the European proposal section of the RIA guidance. RIAs are required in order to gain collective ministerial agreement for a negotiating line, and should accompany the Explanatory Memorandum produced for parliamentary scrutiny. RIAs must also be produced when considering the options for implementation of directives.
A good quality RIA will form an important part of your policy making process. From the outset, a named individual must take responsibility for the RIA and consider who else to involve. A good first step is to talk through the policy area under consideration with your departmental Better Regulation Unit (BRU ).
Completed RIAs are made available to the public, as part of the Government's commitment to openness and transparency. RIAs published since January 2001 can be found on the List of departmental RIAs section of RIA website. You may be able to find a copy of a recent RIA produced within your own department, along with contact names of colleagues who have been through the same process. You must publish partial and final RIAs on your department's website.