Regulatory Impact Assessments

Government departments assess the likely outcomes of regulating in order to try to achieve the right balance between under-regulating, which may fail to protect the public, and over-regulating, which may create excessive bureaucracy. Since 1998, the Government has used Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) to assess likely outcomes, producing around 150 to 200 a year.

RIAs identify the costs and benefits of a policy proposal and the risks of not acting. They are intended to inform the policy decision making process and communicate clearly the objectives, options, costs, benefits and risks of proposals to the public to increase the transparency of the process.

Further information on RIA's can be obtained from the National Audit Office.

Regulatory Impact Assessments relating to Building Regulations are available on the Communities and Local Government website.

Below are links to final Impact Assessments on the Communities and Local Government website:

• Impact Assessment of Longer Time Limits for Prosecution of Breaches of Building Regulation (2 May 2008)
• Proposals to introduce a Code for Sustainable Homes - Regulatory Impact Assessment (19 December 2006)
• Changes to Part B (Fire safety) of the Building Regulations 2000 (as amended) and Approved Document B (19 December 2006)
• Parts F and L (9 March 2006)
• Part P and amendment Regulations (13 July 2004)
• Parts A and C, and Robust Details for Part E (28 May 2004)
• Local Acts regarding drainage (24 November 2003)
• Part M (17 October 2003)
• Parts B and E (16 November 2002)
• Exemptions: conservatories, porches etc. (March 2002)
• Self certification (28 February 2002)
• Parts H, J and L (4 October 2001)
• Approved Inspector Regs: Energy rating & fire authority consultation (13 September 2000)
• Part B (17 December 1999)