A Global Regulatory Policy Outlook

The OECD publishes major report on common regulatory challenges faced by countries around the world.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) published its third Regulatory Policy Outlook late last year. The OECD, an international organization comprising 38 member countries, seeks to promote sustainable economic progress and world trade. To this end, the OECD regularly publishes evidence-based analysis and recommendations about regulatory policy, government accountability, and economic performance.

The 2021 Regulatory Policy Outlook addresses, among other issues, regulatory blind spots exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In its recommendations, the OECD advocates a framework for agile rulemaking that targets present shortcomings and looks forward so that regulations can keep pace with challenges such as climate change and technological change. In addition, the OECD makes recommendations for building public trust in government institutions and for establishing processes that can lead to more sustainable systems of regulatory governance.

The Regulatory Review invited OECD staff who participated in developing the Outlook to share their insights about the contents of the report. This series features contributions from the following OECD staff and consultants who assisted in preparation of the Outlook: Christiane Arndt-Bascle; Martha Baxter; Florentin Blanc; Francesco Calisi; Paul Davidson; Guillermo Hernández; Marianna Karttunen; Marie-Gabrielle de Liedekerke; Alberto Morales; Renny Reyes; Hamsini Shankar; Daniel Trnka; and Vincent Van Langen.

In addition, we solicited comments on the Outlook report from outside regulatory experts and are delighted to feature in this nine-part series a commentary by Nicoletta Rangone of LUMSA University as well as one by Lorenzo Allio of Allio Rodrigo Consulting and Claudio Radaelli of the European University Institute.


Better Regulations for Better Lives

December 5 | Christiane Arndt-Bascle and Paul Davidson

The OECD’s latest Regulatory Policy Outlook shows how regulators worldwide can regulate more effectively.


Regulatory Policy 2.0

December 6 | Daniel Trnka and Paul Davidson Improving

Governments must adapt regulatory tools and strategies to meet new problems and emerging challenges.


Stakeholder Engagement and Evidence-Based Policy Making

December 7 | Paul Davidson, Christiane Arndt-Bascle, Marie-Gabrielle de Liedekerke, and Renny Reyes

The OECD highlights three tools for policymakers to improve regulatory outcomes.


Regulatory Oversight for Better Regulation

December 8 | Guillermo Hernández

Empowering regulatory oversight bodies can help countries develop regulation that is fit for the future.


Rethinking Rulemaking through International Cooperation

December 12 | Marianna Karttunen and Alberto Morales

Domestic regulators should import international considerations into their rulemaking.


Building Independent and Accountable Regulators

December 13 | Vincent Van Langen and Martha Baxter

OECD data shed light on the governance of economic regulators.


Implementing Risk-Based Regulation

December 14 | Florentin Blanc, Hamsini Shankar, and Francesco Calisi

Countries should implement risk-based approaches to regulatory management and decision-making.


A Regulatory Reboot Cannot Neglect Artificial Intelligence

December 15 | Nicoletta Rangone

The OECD should offer recommendations on the full potential and risks of artificial intelligence in rulemaking.


What is the Future of Regulatory Policy?

December 19 | Lorenzo Allio and Claudio Radaelli

The OECD’s latest Regulatory Policy Outlook is the most forward-looking yet.