FSA's simplification programme
Thursday 25 September 2008
The FSA's rolling simplification programme is about making regulations easier for business, the public sector and the third sector (such as charity and voluntary organisations), to understand and comply with, without compromising public protection or consumer's other interests.
Our first Simplification Plan was published in December 2006. Our second plan was published on 11 December 2007. Links to both reports can be found below.
All the simplification measures in our rolling programme and detailed in published plans are designed to ensure that we continue to deliver our statutory objective of protecting public health and consumers’ other interests but in ways that avoid unnecessary regulatory burdens.
Simplification Plan 2007
The FSA's plan reports on progress in generating the savings promised in our first plan and on newly identified initiatives. It estimates total simplification savings of up to £448 million since 2005, more than half of which are savings for business, including £16 million in administrative burden reductions. The plan also includes the results of three studies promised in last year's plan: a sector specific study which looked at the concerns of small-scale butchery and craft bakery businesses; a review of FSA guidance for business and a review of forms the FSA require business to complete. For more details on our administrative burden reduction programme and the studies see our Better Regulation page.
How to submit simplification proposals
The FSA is keen to reduce unnecessary burdens on business; enforcement partners and the third sector and can only achieve this where we are aware of the burdens and how burdensome they are.
The Better Regulation Executive has set up a Better Regulation website which invites all stakeholders to submit their ideas for reducing or simplifying regulation.
The Better Regulation website is the best method for stakeholders to submit their ideas for FSA-led legislation as well as to other departments, as stakeholders can monitor the progress of the suggestion online.
If you would prefer to discuss ideas or suggestions for simplification you can also contact us directly and we will be happy to answer any questions. In the first instance please contact Chris Harvey on 0207 276 8630 or email chris.harvey@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Simplification stakeholder event: 26 June 2008
On 26 June, we held our second simplification stakeholder event. The event brought together representatives from all our stakeholder groups to share ideas and experiences on taking forward simplification in Europe. We discussed how the FSA and our stakeholders can work together to influence EU regulatory proposals using robust evidence and suggest areas for simplification.
We are very grateful to everyone who attended the event. A report can be found at the link below.
Related links
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