Earned Autonomy (or, more easily understood, - fewer inspections)
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What is it?
Where businesses have a good internal management regime for ensuring regulatory compliance in health and safety, food safety and fire safety and where such an internal regime can be independently audited, they will receive fewer inspections from the statutory authorities.
They will have earned the autonomy to run their businesses as they see appropriate without too much interference from the “red tape brigade”.
Good idea?
Yes
- Many businesses take full responsibility for regulatory compliance and don’t need Enforcement Officers to tell them what to do
- Will reduce the time businesses have to devote to accompany inspectors, answering queries etc
- Will recognise independently audited and verified management systems
- Will prevent inspectors “findings things wrong” because they need to be seen to be doing their job
- Will eliminate inconsistencies in enforcement
- Cheaper for the Government – less inspectors needed. Businesses will foot their own bills for compliance
- Multi-site operators will benefit hugely
- Will emphasise the role of the Local Better Regulation Office
No
- Objective inspections of standards by enforcement agencies is the only thing which will ensure good standards
- Businesses may employ “tame” auditors to give them a clean bill of health
- Employees and customers may be put at risk of unsafe practices
- Consultants “charter” and it could be expensive for businesses
- Irregular inspections will not keep standards up – “the uninspected inevitably deteriorates”.
- Enforcement agencies will still need to visit for emergencies accident investigations, consumer complaints
What to do?
Watch out for the results of the General Election! The Conservative Party are very pro Earned Autonomy. The Labour Party will bring in some changes to regulatory enforcement. The Liberal Democrats do not seem to have a clear position.
Review all internal processes and procedures. Set objectives to achieve “earned autonomy” – less visits from enforcement agencies will be beneficial.
Build partnerships with trusted advisors.
Who to Contact?
Perry Scott Nash Associates are watching events carefully. We are founder members of the Institute of Regulatory Compliance and will be at the forefront of setting the “independent auditor” framework which will underpin the “Earned Autonomy” concept.
Call: Pat Perry (01438 745771) for more information and discussion.
