The Regulatory Standards Bill

We’re consulting on the proposed key components of the Regulatory Standards Bill.

The Bill aims to improve the quality of regulation in New Zealand so regulatory decisions are based on principles of good law-making and economic efficiency. 

Good regulation can help governments to achieve their desired economic, environmental and social outcomes, support the effective operation of markets, and protect communities from harm.  

This Bill aims to reduce the amount of unnecessary and poor regulation, through making it transparent where regulation does, or does not, meet principles of responsible regulation. 

It’s proposed that the Regulatory Standards Bill would include: 

  • a benchmark for good regulation through a set of principles of responsible regulation  
  • mechanisms to transparently assess the consistency of new legislative proposals and existing regulation with the principles 
  • a mechanism for independent consideration of the consistency of existing regulation, primarily in response to stakeholder concerns. 

It would also include provisions to support the Ministry for Regulation in its work to improve the quality of regulation. 

The Ministry for Regulation is seeking feedback on the proposed contents of the Bill. Feedback will be used to inform the development of a draft Bill to be introduced to Parliament in 2025.  

You can have your say on the proposed Regulatory Standards Bill our engagement hub – consultation is open until 13 January 2025.  

Visit our engagement hub to have your say open_in_new

Questions and submissions can also be emailed to the team at RSBconsultation@regulation.govt.nz

More information 

Have your say on the proposed Regulatory Standards Bill  (1.5 MB, Pdf)

Interim Regulatory Impact Statement (696 KB, Pdf) 

Preliminary Treaty Impact Analysis (296 KB, Pdf) 

Information release: Cabinet Paper CAB-24-SUB-0437 Approval to consult on a proposed approach to the Regulatory Standards Bill (5.6 MB, Pdf)