Regulation Perspectives

Media release
13 July 2006

Regulation Perspectives

Business NZ is calling for a fresh look at regulations. Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly says over the last seven years there has been an alarming increase in the number of regulations - more than 2,000 since 1999 - with much of the red tape affecting business.

“It’s hard enough for small businesses to know what new regulations apply to them, let alone comply with them all,” Mr O’Reilly said. “There’s a concern that some businesses may be overwhelmed and simply unable to discharge those obligations.”

Launching Business NZ’s new publication, Regulation Perspectives, Mr O’Reilly said the motivation for the increased regulations was an increasing aversion to the risks of everyday life, and a desire by governments to be seen to be ‘doing something’ in response to the crisis of the moment.

“In this publication we are setting out the problem and suggesting some solutions, including greater use of light-handed regulation, and more self-regulation by industries.”

Regulation Perspectives includes case studies of moves towards self-regulation in the telecommunications, insurance, advertising and energy industries.

“We have two messages here, aimed at business as well as at political decision-makers:

“To Government, the message is to resist the impulse to impose regulation as a first response to problems however minor.

“To industry groups the message is to earn credibility and the respect of stakeholders in order to effectively operate a light-handed self-regulatory regime.”

Regulation Perspectives is based on information and views made available by businesses belonging to Business NZ’s major regional organisations EMA Northern, EMA Central, the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and the Otago-Southland Employers’ Association.

Regulation Perspectives can be downloaded from www.businessnz.org.nz at http://www.businessnz.org.nz/file/1053/Regulation%20Perspectives.pdf

ENDS

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