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Reviewing the Regulators

Reviewing the Regulators

The Hampton Implementation Reviews assess how well regulators are following the Hampton principles of better regulation and the characteristics of effective sanctions defined by the Macrory review. They encourage best practice and continuous improvement among regulators.

The purpose of the reviews is to promote more effective and efficient regulatory activity. They will clearly demonstrate where the recommendations of Hampton and Macrory have been successfully implemented, and where there is still work to do.

The reviews should also help regulators:

•        increase openness and transparency

•        highlight areas for development

•        spread good practice to other regulators.

Another aim is to improve the perception of regulators, among those being regulated, and so encourage better cooperation.

Who has been reviewed?

The following major national regulators were assessed in Phase 1 between August and December 2007.

Health & Safety Executive

Food Standards Agency

Financial Services Authority

Environment Agency

Office of Fair Trading

Useful for informal self-assessment the reports also contain guidance on good practice, which regulators can adopt of their own accord.

How did the process work?

The reviews were carried out using the guide developed by the Better Regulation Executive and the National Audit Office, which includes assessment criteria and examples of evidence that should be evaluated.

The methodology included in the guide was reviewed and amended based on lessons learned during the review process, as well as comments from regulators and others involved in the review process.

Guide to Hampton Implementation Reviews Phase 1 [PDF, 627KB, 31 pages]

The Future - Phase 2

After successful completion of the first phase, the review process will now be rolled out to a further 31 national regulatory bodies. The second phase of reviews will commence in 2008 and will finish in 2009.

The review process has been adapted slightly for this second phase of reviews. Regulators will be reviewed under one of two models, depending on their size, scope and impact, to ensure that reviews are proportionate to the organisation.

The review guidance has been adapted to take account of lessons learned during the first phase. As with the guidance for Phase 1 this is intended to be a 'living document' and may be updated as Phase 2 develops.

In conjunction with the guidance a toolkit has also been created for those undertaking reviews that gives more detail on the review process and sets out the role and functions of review team members.

Effective inspection and enforcement: implementing the Hampton vision in national regulators. Toolkit for review teams  (4179KB)

Effective inspection and enforcement: implementing the Hampton vision in national regulators. Phase 2 guidance for review teams.  (2317KB)

Reports on the outcomes of reviews for phase 2 will be published on this page throughout the review process, as reviews are completed.