Guidance

RPC short guidance note – using the precautionary principle, September 2025

This note sets out the factors that the RPC will look for in impact assessments where the precautionary principle is cited as a key rationale for intervention.

• From: Regulatory Policy Committee
• Published: 17 January 2020
• Last updated: 10 November 2025 — See all updates

Documents

RPC short guidance note - 'using the precautionary principle', January 2020

PDF, 137 KB, 3 pages

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RPC short guidance note – using the precautionary principle, September 2025

PDF, 182 KB, 4 pages

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Request an accessible format.

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Details

This RPC short guidance note sets out the factors that the RPC will look for when the precautionary principle is cited as a key rationale for intervention. It aims to provide policy-makers and analysts with a concise tool to assist them in presenting evidence that will be relevant to the department’s application of the precautionary principle and is appropriate to their specific circumstances.

Published 17 January 2020

Last updated 10 November 2025 + show all updates

1. 10 November 2025

   Updated September 2025

2. 17 January 2020

   First published.