Stretching the web - what has the Impact Assessment got to do with Sustainable Development?

The specific impact tests section of the Impact Asessment (IA) contains questions that relate to a policy’s social, environmental and economic impacts. The best way of contributing to sustainable development through policymaking is to follow the procedure for preparing an IA.

It is especially important for sustainable development that you prepare an initial IA at the beginning of the policy process. The earlier you complete an IA, the more chance there will be to spot the opportunities presented by identifying your sustainable development impacts. This said, the Stretching the Web tool can be used to real benefit throughout the life of a policy, it can aid discussion and help to refocus on priorities.

Using the specific impacts tests full checklist in the IA as early as possible will help integrate sustainable development into your policy right from the beginning.

Other useful sites

If you’re new to the IA, we suggest you start with the Better Regulation Executive (BRE) IA site and the advice of your colleagues before attempting to draw your policy web.

Page last modified: 24 October 2007