1 About this handbook
This handbook provides an overview of Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) and guidance on the main elements of Cabinet's RIA requirements. It supports and supplements the information provided in the CabGuide. It also incorporates Cabinet’s decisions on changes to the RIA requirements taken since 2009, when the previous edition was published.
There is a separate section for each of the main elements of the RIA requirements. These sections provide links to any templates and to further reference material.
1.1 Further information
This handbook cannot address all potential issues that may arise in regulatory proposals or policy situations. We recognise that developing effective legislation is a complex undertaking and that the realities of the policy development process may at times differ from the idealised process set out in this handbook. Consequently, there will be times when agencies will need to exercise their best judgement on how to give effect to the intent of the RIA requirements in the particular circumstances they find themselves in. The Regulatory Impact Analysis Team (RIAT) in the Treasury is the authoritative source of general guidance and can assist agencies with RIA good practice and on-going training.
The Treasury may issue more detailed, supplementary guidance on specific topics, where experience shows that such additional material would be helpful. For example the Cost Benefit Analysis Primer is a valuable resource when determining the impact of each regulatory option considered.
1.2 Keeping the handbook updated online
This handbook will be updated periodically online, in order to keep it accurate and as helpful as possible. This version of the handbook was last updated in July 2013.
To ensure you have the latest version please access the online handbook at: http://www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/guidance/regulatory/impactanalysis.
1.3 Requirements for improved disclosure of RIA
Cabinet in April 2013 agreed to increase the transparency of the RIA leading up to Cabinet consideration at the stage of introducing new legislation. Departments are now required to disclose in a standalone statement the quality assurance processes they have undertaken during the development of legislation, and key features of that legislation that are likely to be of interest to the public and Parliament
A disclosure statement is separate from a RIS (and separate from the Agency Disclosure Statement within the RIS, or ADS). Like a RIS, however, it is a departmental document that provides factual information about the development and content of legislation proposed by the government. It largely takes the form of a series of questions that must be answered YES or NO, with further information required to elaborate, explain or clarify the answer given
The information required for disclosure is linked to existing government expectations for the development of legislation, or to significant or unusual features of legislation that tend to warrant careful scrutiny. The Detailed Guide to Disclosure Statements can be found online at: www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/guidance/regulatory.
For further assistance or guidance with disclosure statements and their relationship with RISs, contact RIAT: ria@treasury.govt.nz.
1.4 Your feedback welcome
We welcome your feedback on this handbook, including suggestions for possible additions or improvements. We would also like examples of good practice that can be shared with other agencies. Any comments or suggestions can be sent to ria@treasury.govt.nz.
