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According
to the RIU's website:
"the Regulatory Impact Unit (RIU) is based
at the centre of Government in the Cabinet Office.
Its role is to work with other government departments,
agencies and regulators to help ensure that regulations
are fair and effective. Regulations are needed to
protect people at work, consumers and the environment,
but it is important to strike the right balance
so that they do not impose unnecessary burdens on
businesses or stifle growth."
The
Unit’s work involves:
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Promoting
the Principles of Good Regulation. To read about
the Enforcement Concordat, click
here |
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Identifying
risk and assessing options to deal with it |
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Supporting
the Better Regulation Task Force |
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Removing
unnecessary, outmoded or over-burdensome legislation
through the powers as enacted in the Regulatory
Reform Act. To read about this, click here |
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Improving
the assessment, drawing up and enforcement of
regulation, taking particular account of the needs
of small businesses. In addition to taking an
overview of regulations which impact on business,
the RIU also examines the impact on the voluntary
sector, charities and the public sector. |
To
see the website, Click
Here
The
following is a summary of its position concerning
the role of enforcement by regulators:
"The
primary function of central and local government
enforcement work is to protect the public, the environment
and groups such as consumers and workers. At the
same time, carrying out enforcement functions in
an equitable, practical and consistent manner helps
to promote a thriving national economy. It is important
that enforcement officers take care to help businesses
and others meet their legal obligations without
unnecessary expense while taking firm action, including
prosecution where appropriate against those that
flout the law or act irresponsibly."
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