The purpose of the Norwegian Better Regulation Council is to contribute to reducing the burden on business from new or altered regulations.
What does the Council do?
REVIEWS REGULATION PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION
In 2021, we reviewed 296 proposed regulations that affect the business community. The areas we review include identification of industries covered by the regulation, and the likely scope of costs for the business community. This first review of all proposals is important in gaining an overall impression of the current regulatory policy and forms the basis for the Council’s prioritisation of cases for further scrutiny.
ISSUES STATEMENTS ON REGULATION PROPOSALS AT THE CONSULTATION STAGE
The Norwegian Better Regulation Council evaluates which proposals will have a significant impact on business. In 2021, the Council issued 36 advisory statements on proposals for new or amended regulations.
ACTS AS BOTH A “WATCH DOG” AND ADVISOR
The Norwegian Better Regulation Council uses statements to highlight when studies sent for public consultation are inadequate. We also seek to advice on how to further improve regulatory proposals before they are sent for public consultation.
CONTRIBUTES TO EFFECTIVE COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS
Unnecessary costs imposed on business result in lower growth and employment. The Norwegian Better Regulation Council encourages the completion of satisfactory calculations of the costs to business in connection with proposed new public measures.
HIGHLIGHTS SHORTCOMINGS IN THE BASIS FOR DECISION-MAKING
Effective regulation requires the investigation and evaluation of various alternatives. Failure to do this could result in less costly and smarter solutions being overlooked. The Norwegian Better Regulation Council actively strives to advice ministries and regulators on cases where we deem the basis for decisionmaking to be inadequate.
ENSURES THAT EFFECTS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES ARE CONSIDERED
In Norway, as in many other countries, small businesses are significant contributors to overall value creation. The Norwegian Better Regulation Council seeks to increase awareness of the fact that some measures have a different impact on small businesses than large businesses.
MAINTAINS AN ACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORS
The Norwegian Better Regulation Council offers both general guidance and specific followup in cases where we deem the basis for decisionmaking regarding effects for businesses to be inadequate. Through direct dialogue, we exchange experience and knowledge on how to provide an adequate basis for decisionmaking.
FOLLOWS DEVELOPMENTS AND PRACTICE IN THE AREA OF REGULATORY POLICY
The Norwegian Better Regulation Council monitors developments and practice within regulatory policy and good business regulation both in Norway and internationally.