Powers for High-quality Regulation

Regulatory authorities are distinct from other decentralised agencies, as they are granted specific powers, often through the law that establishes them. This allows authorities to issue opinions, set out rules, monitor and inspect, enforce regulations, grant licences and permits, set prices and settle disputes. The range of these powers may vary substantially among agencies in the same country, as it has to reflect the different realities of the different sectors. A one-size-fits-all approach may therefore not be adequate in that respect. Agencies can receive direct powers, but they also often have a significant advisory function, based on their expertise. These regulatory powers that are devolved to regulatory authorities need to be considered from a whole-of-government perspective, as they have to contribute to high-quality regulation. Therefore, a quality regulation perspective can serve as an analytical basis on which to assess the transparency and reliability of regulation made and enforced by the agencies.