This snapshot, taken on 05/09/2007, shows web content selected for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search boxes may not work in archived websites.
RIAs must be completed for all policy changes, whether European or domestic, which could affect the public or private sectors, charities, the voluntary sector or small businesses.
An RIA is needed whenever options are being considered or where costs or benefits could accrue. This includes all changes made using alternatives to legislation, both primary and secondary. So if the primary legislation is a framework Act which will be followed by secondary legislation, RIAs need to be carried out on both the primary legislation and on each subsequent piece of secondary legislation.
Note that the RIA should be proportionate to the likely impact of the proposal. For example, if the proposal is likely to affect only a few firms, many firms to a very small degree, or if the costs and benefits are likely to be small, then the RIA can be quite short. Where the impact is likely to be substantial, more data and depth of analysis will be required.
Even in cases where there is no overall net change but some kind of redistribution (such as in cases where there is an exchange or 'transfer' of costs and benefits) the effects should be assessed through an RIA.
For proposals that impact only on the public services, you should carry out an Initial Public Sector RIA. As well as providing a useful analysis, it also determines whether a full RIA should be carried out. Further information is available in the Initial Public Sector RIA guidance.
You do not need to do an RIA for: