Guidance

Better Regulation Framework

Guidance to help government officials use the 2023 version of the Better Regulation Framework.

• From: Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and Department for Business and Trade
• Published: 22 February 2018
• Last updated: 5 September 2025
  Show all updates

  1. 5 September 2025

     "Sending an options assessment to the Regulatory Policy Committee for scrutiny" updated to clarify steps 1, 2 and 3.

  2. 4 March 2025

     The transition period during which departments could use the previous version of the framework has ended. Information on using the previous framework and associated documents is available under the heading 'Previous framework guidance'. Guidance has been added to help users understand which measures require scrutiny, the Regulatory Policy Committee's scrutiny process and the different types of assessment that may be required under the framework.

  3. 19 September 2023

     Added the new Better Regulation Framework. Added Supplementary guidance note on the use of the previous Framework.

  4. 10 October 2022

     Supplementary guidance added on extending the exemption threshold to medium sized businesses.

  5. 12 March 2020

     Guidance updated to remove factors relating to the previous Parliament.

  6. 23 August 2018

     Guidance updated to reflect the announcement of the BIT for this Parliament and the appointment of the RPC as the independent verification body. This version replaces the interim guidance published on 22 February 2018.

  7. 22 February 2018

     First published.

Documents

Better Regulation Framework guidance

PDF, 802 KB, 64 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Measures that require scrutiny by the Regulatory Policy Committee

HTML

Sending an options assessment to the Regulatory Policy Committee for scrutiny

HTML

Types of assessment which may be required under the Better Regulation Framework

HTML

Details

This guidance is for government officials developing or implementing policy that will regulate or deregulate business or civil society organisations.  

The guidance explains how to comply with the Better Regulation Framework (the framework) to ensure that regulatory provisions are appropriately considered and scrutinised. 

Objectives of the framework 

The framework is a robust process that seeks to ensure that the costs of new regulation to business or others are justified. 

Its objectives  are: 

• to increase the consideration and use of alternatives to regulation 

• earlier and more holistic scrutiny of regulatory proposals through consideration of wider impacts beyond direct costs to business 

• earlier and more consistent evaluation of whether implemented regulations are achieving their aims 

Completing options assessments, impact assessments and post-implementation reviews 

Find guidance and tools to help you complete options assessments, impact assessments and post-implementation reviews.  

Previous framework guidance 

In rare cases, you may need to use the previous guidance on the Better Regulation Framework. This will only apply to a small number of measures which received collective agreement under the previous framework.