Research at RHC
The Regulatory Horizons Council (RHC) is an independent expert committee that identifies the implications of technological innovation.
Reports
The Future Regulation of Space Technologies - April 2024
This report explores how enabling regulation can support the responsible adoption of critical technology in space. The report puts forward recommendations to government paving the way for a sustainable future in space, ensuring environmental protection and fostering peaceful and equitable use.
Read the report on the Future Regulation of Space Technologies.
Regulating Quantum Technology Applications – February 2024
This report, proposes developing a pro-innovation regulatory framework that can help retain domestic developers and investors, as well as attract those from abroad who seek regulatory certainty and want to develop their products responsibly.
The Role of Regulation in Supporting Scaling-up – January 2024
This report, as part of the Council’s ‘Closing the Gap’ Series, highlights the role of regulation in supporting businesses to scale in the UK. It provides recommendations and policy suggestions to Government on creating a regulatory environment that better supports the start-up and scaleup community.
The regulation of RAS in agriculture and horticulture - October 2023
This report suggests policy interventions on how the UK can support the adoption of robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) in the agricultural and horticultural sectors through changes to the regulatory system.
The regulation of hydrogen fuel propulsion in maritime vessels - July 2023
This report makes recommendations on how the UK can promote the safe uptake of hydrogen fuel in the domestic maritime sector through changes to the regulatory system.
The regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a medical device - November 2022
This report makes recommendations about the regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Medical Device.
Neurotechnology regulation - November 2022
This report makes recommendations about the safe and rapid development of neurotechnology.
Closing the gap: getting from principles to practice for innovation friendly regulation - June 2022
This report makes recommendations on how the UK can further support innovation through regulation.
Drones regulation - November 2021
This report makes recommendations on how the UK can unlock the benefits of drones and support wider commercial deployment through regulation.
Genetic technologies - September 2021
This report makes recommendations on how the UK can support innovation in genetic technologies through regulatory and non-regulatory changes.
Medical devices regulation - August 2021
This report makes recommendations on how the UK can encourage international investment, innovation and improve safety in the medical devices area through regulatory and non-regulatory changes.
Fusion energy regulation - June 2021
This report provides several recommendations on how the UK can continue to move towards an innovation-friendly, long-term regulatory framework to support the rapid and safe introduction of fusion energy.
Research and other publications
Closing the Gap Series overview
The Closing the Gap Series aims to provide actionable insights and foster collaboration on solutions to address regulatory challenges.
Evaluation of the Regulatory Horizons Council: findings from Tranche 1 - March 2022
A summary of findings from the evaluation conducted by the Regulatory Horizons Council into its first 4 deep dive projects.
Evidence-based decision making framework - December 2021
This framework outlines the methods that the Regulatory Horizons Council uses to collect evidence and how it uses this data to form its recommendations.
RHC response to consultation on better regulation (October 2021)
Future of technological innovations and the role of regulation - August 2021
This paper captures opinions on the future socio-economic context within which technological innovations will be delivered from 2021 to 2030 including:
- how innovations might shape that content
- what could be done to bring about a preferred future
- how regulation can act as an enabler
Horizon scanning - December 2020
The RHC conducted a horizon scan to capture a large selection of pan-economy innovations likely to come to market over the next ten years. This generated raw data of 542 emerging innovations, that were then prioritised.
The prioritisation of future innovations describes an evidence-based approach to prioritising these areas of emerging innovations.
Call for input
Tell us about an area of regulation (relating to technological innovation) which you would like the Regulatory Horizons Council to investigate further by completing this form.