UK FSA seeks ways to go through red tape
As well as improving efficiency and compliance, the plan could save industry more than £200m in the first year.
The plan identifies a number of ways the Agency can enhance consumer protection by reducing unnecessary paperwork and administrative burdens of food regulation. As well as improving efficiency and compliance, the plan could save industry more than £200m in the first year. The Agency now wants to identify further areas where it could simplify regulation. It would like to hear from business, consumer groups and the voluntary sector about which regulations they believe could be improved and simplified. Any ideas that are submitted will be considered and feasible solutions included in the plan. In drawing up the plan the FSA has already received some useful suggestions that have led to improvements.
The Agency worked with the Port Health Authorities to develop the electronic GRAIL database system, which has cut the need for paperwork. Another suggestion led to the consolidation of existing UK legislation on bottled water. Enforcement authorities and bottled water companies complained that the legislation was too complicated, so the FSA streamlined it to simplify interpretation and make compliance easier.
Steve Wearne, Head of the FSA’s Better Regulation Division, said: 'The FSA is firmly committed to the better regulation agenda. Simpler regulation makes compliance easier; it can lead to better public protection and make it easier for business. 'Those affected by regulation are best placed to make suggestions about how it could be made more effective. This is an ideal opportunity for stakeholders to get their ideas heard.'
The FSA said it would welcome immediate comments on this plan before it is finalised in April.
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