In this first part of a two-part series, I will be exploring the background of the Regulators’ Code.
Anyone who needs to have a relationship with regulatory bodies, such as the Environment Agency, then they should be aware of the Regulators’ Code, which came into statutory effect on 6 April 2014 under the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006, replacing the former Regulators’ Compliance Code. The earlier code (reference BIS/13/1016) was published in July 2013 and has, now, been withdrawn.
The revised Code provides a clear, flexible and principles-based framework for how regulators should engage with those they regulate. It applies nearly all non-economic regulators, including the Environment Agency, Natural England, local authorities & fire and rescue authorities. Each of these Regulators must have regard to it when developing policies and procedures that guide their regulatory activities.
In addition to the Code, there is an accompanying summary of the regulators and regulatory functions & the letter sent to all local authorities and fire and rescue authorities in England, which draws attention to the complaints and appeals provisions in the Code.
For further information on the Code, please see the relevant legislation supporting the Code can be found at http://bit.ly/1pzoIns & copies of the Code and summary of regulators and regulatory functions covered can be found at http://bit.ly/1tOPfRw