The Better Regulation Executive (BRE) is part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and leads the regulatory reform agenda across government. The Society of British Interior Design has engaged with BIS to promote business development and sustainable design across Europe under EU law.

Significant progress has been made across all these areas. The Government’s ambitious and wide-ranging regulatory reform agenda is one of the most respected programmes in the world, which has been confirmed by a number of international surveys. The Society of British Interior Design work in association with the BIS to improve standards within the Interior Design profession and promote industry throughout Europe.

Working with and through others, our aims are:

• to work with departments to improve the design of new regulations and how they are communicated;
• to work with departments and regulators to simplify and modernise existing regulations; and
• to work with regulators (including local authorities) and departments to change attitudes and approaches to regulation to become more risk-based.

The five principles of good regulation

A cornerstone of the better regulation strategy and implementation, and key to BRE's work, is the five principles of good regulation. The principles state that any regulation should be:

• transparent
• accountable
• proportionate
• consistent
• targeted – only at cases where action is needed
  

Code of Practice on Guidance on Regulation

This Code sets out eight golden rules which Government should follow when publishing guidance for businesses and third sector organisations on how to comply with the law. They have been created following views expressed by businesses, the third sector and other organisations and by a formal consultation process.

The latest Code of Practice on Guidance on Regulation was published in October 2009 and replaces the Code published in July 2008.

Guidance which is compliant with the eight rules should clearly state this and carry a link to the Code.

The revised Code incorporates three key changes recommended by Sarah Anderson’s review of government guidance:

• the introduction of quick start summary guidance;
• the removal of legal disclaimers from guidance; and
• the inclusion of information within guidance on how to provide feedback.

These changes mean that businesses can be confident that if they follow government guidance, in most cases they will be compliant with regulations.

All guidance will be accompanied by a quick start guide, unless it is already very brief and straightforward. This should be an entry point to the more detailed guidance, allowing organisations quickly to assess whether the regulations apply to them and could include a checklist or set out key steps to compliance.

Instead of legal disclaimers, Government will include a positive statement to let businesses know how they can best use the guidance.

By including contact details on the guidance itself, as well as the link to the better regulation website www.betterregulation.gov.uk, companies will find it easier to offer feedback on guidance, including identifying inaccuracies or inconsistencies.

The accompanying Guide to the Code of Practice on Guidance is designed to help officials to meet the Code's requirements when writing guidance on how to comply with the law.

Europe, Trade & Partnerships with the EU

Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) have produced a guide to current strategic export controls administered by the Export Control Organisation (ECO) Second, guidance on working with the EU, and information on what we are doing to make the UK an effective partner in a competitive EU.

Third, a summary of strategies to develop open, dynamic and sustainable world markets within which BIS can help build a productive UK economy.

The Society of British Interior Design are the only representative of interior design of the European Council of Interior Architects and Designers making this organisation the standard bearer for professional standards. BIS recently launched a guide outlining the services it offers to UK firms to help them trade with other countries. It provides information on where firms can access general advice as well as more specific assistance such as overcoming barriers on international trade