Guidance

RPC opinions and ratings explained

Published 28 May 2025

Overview and purpose

The Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) provides independent scrutiny of the assessments that government departments prepare when proposing new regulatory measures. Our role is focused on the quality of evidence and analysis underpinning regulatory proposals. We do not comment on the merits of the policy itself.

Our opinions are a critical part of the policy making process to assess how well departments have evidenced the case for proposed regulation and evaluated its potential impacts.

Types of assessment

The RPC scrutinises 3 main types of assessment under the Better Regulation Framework.

Options assessments (OAs) 

These are conducted early in the policy development process. Their purpose is to identify, evaluate and compare different potential solutions to a policy problem. The aim is to select the most effective, efficient and proportionate option from a range of alternatives.

All options assessments must include a small and micro business assessment to consider the impact of a regulatory policy measure on small businesses (less than 50 employees) and micro businesses (less than 10 employees).

Final stage impact assessments (IAs) 

These build upon the early analysis presented in options assessments. They are required for regulations with significant impact and provide a more detailed assessment of costs, benefits and distributional effects as the proposal is finalised. Impact assessments offer a comprehensive picture of how the regulation will affect different groups and sectors.

Post implementation reviews (PIRs) 

These take place after a regulation has been implemented. Their purpose is to assess whether the regulation achieved its intended goals, to consider whether modifications are needed, and identify opportunities to reduce the administrative burdens of regulation where possible.

Our ratings system

We provide formal ratings for specific areas set out in the Better Regulation Framework.

Green rating

A green rating indicates that the assessment is fit for purpose. This means the RPC has no significant concerns over the quality of the submission. There may still be minor issues that could be improved and departments should consider any points for improvement noted in the opinion.

Red rating

A red rating indicates that the assessment is not fit for purpose. It means that we have major concerns over the quality of evidence and analysis in the submission. These concerns must be addressed before the assessment can be considered adequate.

How this applies to submissions

For options assessments and impact assessments, we rate across three areas:

• the rationale for intervention
• the identification of options
• the justification for the preferred way forward

If any one of these three areas is found to be insufficient, the assessment will receive a red rating.

For post implementation reviews, a red rating may be issued if the recommendation regarding the regulation’s future is not sufficiently evidenced.

Quality indicators

Beyond the formal ratings, we also consider other factors in our opinions in our scrutiny process with four levels.

Good 

This means that the analysis addresses the issue well, is sufficiently robust, and is based on proportionate evidence with appropriate assumptions. The assessment could be improved only in minor areas and provides strong support for decision making. 

Satisfactory 

This means that the analysis addresses the issue adequately, is based on adequate proportionate evidence, and uses appropriate assumptions. Some improvements could be made, but the analysis overall provides sufficient support for decision making. 

Weak 

This means that the analysis is not sufficiently robust, with improvements required in one or more areas. Weak analysis provides inadequate support for decision making. 

Very weak 

This means that the analysis is poor with significant flaws, requiring substantial improvements across multiple areas and is inadequate to support decision making.

How this applies to submissions

For options assessments and impact assessments, the quality indicators cover the regulatory scorecard and the monitoring and evaluation sections.

For post implementation reviews, the indicators cover the monitoring and implementation, as well as evaluation sections.

We monitor patterns in quality indicator ratings. Where departments receive weak or very weak ratings in the same categories across one or several assessments, we will work with that department to achieve better outcomes in future submissions.