Regulatory Review Group Annual Report 2024-2025

About the Regulatory Review Group

The Regulatory Review Group (RRG) is an independent advisory body that provides the Scottish Government with practical, evidence-based advice on the implementation of regulations. Established in 2004, the RRG was created to promote and develop an environment where business and government work together to support better regulation and sustainable economic growth.

Following a temporary hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the RRG was re-established in Autumn 2023 as an early action of the New Deal for Business. This was in direct response to calls from business stakeholders for stronger independent scrutiny of regulatory proposals. The RRG’s refreshed Terms of Reference set out a broad ambition: to create a regulatory environment in Scotland that fosters collaboration between business and government, strengthens implementation, and positions Scotland as a European leader in better regulation.

The RRG’s primary focus is on regulations in development rather than the existing stock. It does not make judgments on the underlying policy aims or legislative priorities; instead, it examines how policies will be implemented in practice, identifying potential risks, unintended consequences, and barriers to effective delivery. By engaging at the earliest stages of the policy cycle, the RRG aims to help officials and Ministers avoid problems before they arise, ensuring that regulations are proportionate, workable, and deliver their intended benefits.

Its objectives are to:

• Work constructively with the Scottish Government so that policy officials and Ministers are sighted early on potential implementation challenges.
• Deliver targeted written and verbal advice drawing on the insight of business, regulators, and consumer representatives from across Scotland.
• Improving understanding of the practicalities of implementation and enforcement.

Membership of the RRG reflects a wide range of expertise, including representatives from business organisations, local authority enforcement bodies, consumer interests, and regulators. In 2025, the RRG strengthened its capability by welcoming observer members from the British Standards Institution (BSI) and the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). Their involvement brings additional expertise in the use of standards and accreditation as potential alternatives to traditional regulation, expanding the range of solutions the RRG can recommend.

The RRG operates independently but works in close partnership with Scottish Government officials, the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Investment and Economy and stakeholders. This collaborative approach ensures that its advice is relevant, practical, and aligned with Scotland’s wider economic and policy goals.