Impact assessment in law drafting

Impact assessments support decision-making by producing as reliable assessments as possible of the essential impacts of law proposals. Impact assessments are an integral part of the ministries’ law drafting process. Their objective is to broaden the alternatives under consideration for implementing reforms and the knowledge base of law drafting. In addition, impact assessments strengthen the transparency and accountability of law drafting. 

Impact assessments are guided by the Government’s general Guidelines for Impact Assessment in Law Drafting and the ministries’ thematic guidelines supplementing it. The general guidelines help law drafters plan impact assessments, identify and assess different types of impacts and, where necessary, seek further information. The guidelines divide the impacts to be assessed into economic impacts, environmental impacts and other human and societal impacts. The guidelines also contain links to the ministries’ thematic guidelines. 

When carrying out an impact assessment, law drafters may utilise their ministries’ experts in impact assessment, engage in intersectoral cooperation and consult stakeholders and experts. For example, law drafters may receive support for impact assessment across ministerial boundaries through the Government network of experts in impact assessment.

The results of an impact assessment and its background are presented in a concise form in the government proposal to be drawn up of the proposed legislation. 

The independent and autonomous Council of Regulatory Impact Analysis issues statements on the quality of impact assessments in draft government proposals.

More information:

Guidelines for Impact Assessment in Law Drafting (Prime Minister’s Office)

Government network of experts in impact assessment

Council of Regulatory Impact Analysis (Prime Minister’s Office)