Regulatory Connectivity

In order to understand the current regulatory environment in the Commonwealth countries so that effective interventions could be designed, a survey of the existing regulatory environment was conducted. The survey investigated the existence and functions of regulatory authorities, engagement of stakeholders in policy dialogues and capacity for regulatory impact assessment among others.

For harmonisation and cooperation on good regulatory practices, Commonwealth Good Regulatory Principles (CGRPs) were designed and developed involving the relevant stakeholders from member countries. Extensive review and analysis of existing regulatory practices exercised globally and in vogue in Commonwealth countries was conducted and guiding principles were identified for implementation by the member countries.

• To augment the capacity of public and private sector in member countries on GRPs, the development of a CGRP manual has been initiated. The manual will provide ways and means to implement the CGRPs at country and regional level besides guidelines on holding Public private dialogues, conducting regulatory guillotine, Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA), etc.
• Two series of trainings on GRPs and CGRPs were conducted for the Commonwealth member countries and the SADC private sector.
• To augment the capacity needs of the policy makers, a need assessment survey was conducted following which a series of training seminars were organised. Different aspects of regulatory reform and GRPs were covered during the training.

Based on different surveys conducted for developing Commonwealth Good Regulatory Principles and to ascertain existing regulatory environment, a two-year work plan for Regulatory Connectivity cluster was developed for adoption by the Members. The workplan identifies interventions in six broad areas where the Commonwealth Secretariat will provide technical assistance to the member countries for implementation. The work plan was presented in the Cluster meeting and was approved for implementation and cooperation.

• To kick start the implementation of the work plan and to institutionalise a public private partnership for regulatory design and implementation in the member countries, templates for Regulatory Steering Committee have been developed. The templates and concept notes will be utilised to advance stakeholders engagement for better regulations and implementation of good regulatory practices.

Research and analysis play an important role in design and implementation of regulatory policy. Regulatory Impact Assessments are considered important for ex ante and ex post facto impact assessment of proposed regulations and or their non-regulatory substitutes. Many countries lack capacity for research and RIA. RCC has initiated interventions to promote RIA in the member countries.

• Surveys have been launched for conducting feasibility in some member countries for institutionalisation of RIA. The survey outcomes will be captured in reports for consideration and implementation by the member countries.
• Assistance was provided to Mauritius for institutionalising RIA mechanism for regulatory reform.

A number of engagements to build capacity for regulatory reform have been undertaken.

• Presentation on key aspects of regulatory coherence and trade facilitation measures was delivered in a regional training organised in Barbados.
• A national seminar on regulatory coherence and digital divide was delivered in Kiribati.
• Presentation on regional regulatory integration and digital diplomacy was delivered in a regional training in Fiji.

The following member countries are part of the Connectivity Agenda Regulatory Connectivity cluster:

• AUSTRALIA

• BANGLADESH

• BARBADOS

• BOTSWANA

• CANADA

• KINGDOM OF ESWATINI

• GAMBIA, THE

• INDIA

• JAMAICA

• KENYA

• MALAWI

• MALAYSIA

• MAURITIUS

• NEW ZEALAND

• PAPUA NEW GUINEA

• ST KITTS AND NEVIS

• SAINT LUCIA

• SAMOA

• SRI LANKA

• TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

• UNITED KINGDOM

• VANUATU