the dutch advisory board on administrative burden (actal)
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The Dutch Advisory Board on Administrative Burden (Actal). The Hague March 5, 2008. Topics. Businesses Four criteria for success The proof of the pudding Broadening the scope Citizens Public administrations Compliance costs Europe. Businessess. Good governance - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Dutch Advisory Board on Administrative Burden (Actal)
The Hague
March 5, 2008
Topics
Businesses Four criteria for success The proof of the pudding
Broadening the scope Citizens Public administrations Compliance costs Europe
Businessess
Good governance
Reducing administrative burdens for businesses is good for economy
25 % reduction policy results in: Labour productivity + 1.7 % GDP growth + 1.5 %
Businesses: four criteria for success Review of World Bank (2007) and OECD
(2007):
Dutch programme on reducing administrative burdens for businesses is world leading.
Four criteria for success: measurement, reduction targets for each ministry, strong coordinating minister, incorporation in the regulatory process
First criterion: measurement
Zero-base measurement
Standard Cost Model
Ex ante measurement (new regulation)
Second criterion: targets
Reduction targets for each ministry
Nimby
25 percent target works well as an incentive
Third criterion: strong minister
Ministry of Finance
Budget cycle (carrot and sticks)
Situation since 2007 (new cabinet): two state secretaries, still linked to the budget cycle
Fourth criterion: incorporation
Contain the flow of new regulation
Independent watchdog: Actal
NET target
The Actal Organisation
Independent watchdog, assessor and facilitator
Established in 2000: focus on AB for businesses
From 2005: AB for citizens too Final date: 1st of June 2011 Small organisation: 3 Board members,
13 staff
Assignment Bring about a cultural shift among
legislators and policy officers
“Policy officers should consider the effects for AB on their own initiative”
Method of working
The two main instruments are: - advise ministries on proposed
legislation - advise ministries on existing legislation
Also:Parliament (only at request)
- assess amendments Supervisory bodies Local government European Union
Are the administrative burdens quantified? Is the quantification correct? Are alternative options considered that may lead
to lower administrative burdens? Is the least burdensome option chosen?
Are arguments provided as to why a certain option was preferred and possible alternatives were rejected?
Is the least burdensome option chosen in implementation (enforcement) of laws and regulations?
Proposed legislation: Test criteria
Proof of the pudding - I
Dutch Programme AB Businesses
Since 2002 Before 2000
Measurement SCM, Zero-base No zero-base
Targets Net target, each ministry
Gross overall target
Coordinating minister
Ministry of Finance
“Economic Affairs”
Incorporation Actal; Ex-ante measurement
No check on new regulations
Proof of the pudding - II
Delivery of results:
Reduction plans from ministries Ex ante measurement of new
regulation Effect on AB matters for
decisionmaking Actual reduction of AB businesses
Broadening the scope: citizens
AB Citizens (since 2005) (Partial) zero-base measurement; SCM Reduction targets for each ministry Coordination by Ministry of the Interior Ex ante measurement and Actal
Cumulative burdens for target groups, e.g.: Disabled persons; Elderly
Broadening the scope: public administrations
The example is the education sector: Zero-base measurement; SCM Net reduction target Initiative of Ministry of Education Ex ante measurement; checked by Actal
Presently our cabinet aims to broaden the scope to public administrations in general (this is still under construction).
Broadening: compliance costs
Why?
Good governance Economy Bridging the gap between what
government does and what business perceives
Broadening: compliance costs
This is presently under construction It can be measured: probably a partial
zero-base measurement Probably gross reduction targets for some
specific domains Coordination by state-secretaries Finance
plus Economic Affairs Ex ante measurement; checked by
coordinating ministries or Actal
Broadening the scope: Europe
About 50% of Dutch AB originate from Europe Thirteen priority areas are presently measured Gross reduction target on priority areas [Fast
track proposals] (future ambition for net target?)
Coordination by commissioner Verheugen (DG Enterprise)
Flow: ex ante measurement for all new proposals (Impact Assessment Board)
About Europe
Joint position papers of NKR, BRC, Actal on European efforts
First position paper: 1 March 2007
Second paper: 19 Oktober 2007
Europe: some of our wishes
Measurement of the full Acquis Net reduction targets for each
DG Better ex ante measurement of
AB for new proposals Independent watchdog (High
Level Group: Stoiber) Truly independent Good mandate
Conclusions - I
Four criteria for success of the Dutch approach on administrative burdens for businesses: Measurement; Targets; Strong minister; Incorporation in regulatory
process.
Conclusions - II
Several opportunities to duplicate (broaden) the success: Citizens; Public administrations; Compliance costs; European union.
Useful websites
www.compliancecosts.com
www.administrative-burdens.com
www.actal.nl
Contact information
ActalP.O. Box 162282500 BE The HagueThe Netherlandstel: +31-(0)70-3108666e-mail: [email protected]: www.actal.nl