Regulatory impact assessment (RIA) is required for all primary laws and subordinate regulations in Norway. The depth of assessment is based on the expected significance of the impacts, which is determined by the proposing ministry.
Public consultation is conducted for all draft laws – as a rule for a minimum of 6 weeks. Stakeholders’ input to consultations are published, although there is no requirement for policymakers to directly respond to submitters. The Guidance note on the Instructions for Official Studies allows for a shorter deadline than six weeks to be set in EEA cases. In Norway, ministries conduct ex post evaluations and they often appoint official commissions to evaluate existing rules in key policy areas. Norway could make more systematic use of their ex post evaluation tools, to better manage the regulatory stock, ensuring that rules remain delivering positive outcomes for citizens.
The Ministry of Finance oversees the Instructions, which sets the requirements for preparing regulatory proposals, RIAs, and stakeholder engagement. Requirements for conducting ex post evaluation are based on regulations for financial management (Økonomiregelverket). Administration and guidance of the Instructions are delegated to the Norwegian Government Agency for Public and Financial Management (DFØ). The Ministry of Justice and Public Security guides on legal aspects for the Instructions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for providing guidance on the provisions relating to EEA and Schengen matters. Updates to the Instructions in 2024 clarified the responsibility concerning EEA matters, and also to other simplifications and improvements. The Better Regulation Council, co-ordinated by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries, reviews selected RIAs and regulatory proposals affecting businesses. The Council has strengthened its capabilities to comment on stakeholder engagement activities, and publishes formal opinions of RIAs for revision. Its role has expanded over time by focusing on innovation-friendly regulations and conducting advocacy work across the government through meetings and seminars with government ministries.
All primary laws/ ▲ Yes ■ Required ● Yes, there is a regulation and a policy
Major primary laws/ ● Yes, there is a regulation
Some primary laws/ ■ Not required but allowed ● Yes, there is a policy
Never/ ▲ No ■ Not allowed