Regulators' Compliance Code

The purpose of the Regulators’ Compliance Code is to promote efficient and effective approaches to regulatory inspection and enforcement, putting the Hampton principles on statutory footing. The Compliance Code came into force on 6 April 2008. The code will apply at the point where regulators make their policies, rules, codes and guidance.This applies in England only.

Compliance code (on BERR website)

The Compliance Code sets out seven elements that regulators should follow when discharging their regulatory functions:

Supporting economic progress

Regulatory activity should allow, or even encourage, economic progress. Intervention should only take place where there is a clear case for protection. 

Risk assessment

Undertaking a risk assessment of all their activities.

Information and advice

Providing information and advice in a way that enables businesses to clearly understand what is required by law.

Inspections

Only performing inspections following a risk assessment, so resources are focused on those least likely to comply.

Data requirements

Collaborating with other regulators to share data and minimise demand on businesses.

Compliance and enforcement actions

How formal enforcement actions, including sanctions and penalties, should be applied following the Macrory principles on penalties. Accountability
Increasing the transparency of regulatory organisations by asking them to report on outcomes, costs and perceptions of their enforcement approach
These take forward the inspection and enforcement principles set out by Sir Philip Hampton in his 2005 review:

How Animal Health is meeting the Regulators’ Compliance Code

Animal Health welcomes the introduction of the Regulator’s Compliance Code. Animal Health, along with its regulators, has undertaken to show how it is meeting the Code recommendations of a risk-based, proportionate, targeted and flexible approach to regulatory inspection and enforcement by giving practical examples along with details of any future plans that are in line with the Code.

Page last modified:01 May 2008
Page published: 2 April 2007

Animal Health is an Executive Agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and also works on behalf of the Scottish Executive, Welsh Assembly Government and the Food Standards Agency