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The need for proportionality underpins all aspects of the Impact Assessment process, including the choice of appropriate interventions, gathering data and conducting cost benefit and related analysis (such as looking at risks).
As Impact Assessments are a continuous process to help policy-makers think through and understand the consequences of possible Government interventions, you should undertake them for all Government interventions affecting the private sector, the third sector and public services (Guidance for when IAs are required). However, the content of the Assessment should be proportionate to the problem involved and the size of the proposal. For example, for minor proposals (for example, a simplification proposal that was merely changing the frequency of a reporting requirement) it may not be necessary to complete all sections of the Impact Assessment Summary: Analysis & Evidence page.
For emergencies, (e.g. the closure of an industry for public health reasons), good policy development processes would include assessing the impacts of proposals, at least within a few days. This is to help ensure that a disproportionate approach is not being undertaken. Moreover, even where a department or agency is acting using the precautionary principle, some element of cost-benefit analysis should be undertaken in a timely manner and the policy reviewed to see if it remains proportionate. Proportionality would guide how much analysis was undertaken in the time available.
As you move through different stages of the Impact Assessment process, the data being used should be refined to make it more specific and to improve its accuracy. The effort applied at each step should be proportionate to the funds involved, outcomes at stake, and the time available. For example, at the development stage of an Impact Assessment it may normally be necessary to use summary data only when identifying and appraising options. However, at later stages of the Impact Assessment process, the rigour of the analysis should increase – especially before committing significant funds or making major regulatory decisions.
The European Commission Impact Assessment guidelines [External PDF], and the National Audit Office report Evaluation of Regulatory Impact Assessments 2005–06 [External PDF] provide further advice on the principle of proportionate analysis.
See further guidance for a proportionate approach for simplification measures and public sector Impact Assessments.