Closed consultation

Provision of Services Regulations 2009: proposed reforms

• From: Department for Business and Trade
• Published: 13 September 2023
• Last updated: 9 November 2023 — See all updates

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government

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Summary

We are seeking views on proposed reforms to the Provision of Services Regulations 2009, under the Retained EU Law programme.

This consultation ran from
2pm on 13 September 2023 to 11:59pm on 13 November 2023

Consultation description

The Provision of Services Regulations 2009 (“the Regulations”) provide a framework of rules for how services are regulated in the UK. They ensure that authorisation schemes (for example, licences that businesses or individuals must secure before providing a service) which are administered by competent authorities (for example, government departments and independent regulators) are proportionate, justified in the public interest, and conducted in a fair, accessible and transparent way for businesses

Previous evidence from service providers and competent authorities indicated that change is needed to the Regulations. DBT is therefore considering reforming the Regulations as part of the Retained EU Law programme.

These proposals include making sure businesses can apply for licences all year round; providing clarity on when competent authorities can derogate from certain requirements of the Regulations; and expanding the benefits of the Regulations to non-UK businesses.

DBT is seeking views from competent authorities, service providers and service recipients on the proposed reforms through this consultation.

The documents include:

• a consultation document setting out the proposed reforms, the rationale for these and questions for respondents
• a consultation stage impact assessment setting out the estimated costs and benefits of the new approach

This consultation forms part of the government’s Smarter Regulation programme of regulatory reform announcements that began in May with publication of Smarter Regulation to Grow the Economy. Smarter regulation is about improving regulation across the board, ensuring it is clear and only used where necessary and proportionate.

All responses will be considered before a decision is made on the reforms.

Documents

Provision of Services Regulations 2009 reforms: consultation document

PDF, 387 KB, 40 pages

Provision of Services Regulations 2009 reforms: Impact assessment

PDF, 479 KB, 24 pages

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Published 13 September 2023
Last updated 9 November 2023 + show all updates

1. 9 November 2023

   Deadline of consultation extended to 13 November 2023.

2. 12 October 2023

   Question added to consultation document: it asks whether respondents would like their responses to be shared anonymously, or with their organisation named.

3. 13 September 2023

   First published.