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Regulatory Impact Statements and Business Compliance Costs Statements

All policy proposals submitted to Cabinet which result in Government bills or statutory regulations must be accompanied by a Regulatory Impact Statement, unless an exemption applies.

Since 1 April 2001, all policy proposals submitted to Cabinet which require a Regulatory Impact Statement and which have compliance cost implications for business, must include a Business Compliance Cost Statement in the Regulatory Impact Statement.

A Regulatory Impact Statement is a tool to assist decision-making. It is a systematic and consistent method of examining potential impacts arising from government action and communicating the information to decision-makers. Completion of a Regulatory Impact Statement ensures proper analysis and scrutiny is given to whether the proposal is necessary and efficient, and it identifies the net impact on community welfare. The Regulatory Impact Statement enhances the Government’s ability to make well-informed decisions.

The Business Compliance Cost Statement ensures that the business compliance cost implications are made explicit and are properly considered in developing policy in a consistent and comprehensive way.

For more information visit the Ministry of Economic Development website.

Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act

The following Regulatory Impact and Business Compliance Cost Statements have been prepared in relation to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996:

Amendment to facilitate transfer of hazardous substances (PDF 49 KB)

Resource Management Act

The following Regulatory Impact and Business Compliance Cost Statements have been prepared in relation to the Resource Management Act 1991:

Waste Policy

The following Regulatory Impact and Business Compliance Cost Statements have been prepared in relation to the Cabinet Paper Towards a Sustainable New Zealand: Measures to minimise solid waste.