The Regulatory Standards Act 2025 sets requirements for consistency assessments of proposed legislation against a set of principles of responsible regulation.

The Act is supported by the Cabinet circular Expectations for Good Law-making [CO (26) 2] which sets administrative requirements for agencies subject to Cabinet direction. 

Agencies responsible for legislation must assess both new and existing legislation against the principles identified in section 9 of the Regulatory Standards Act. They do this by completing a Consistency Accountability Statements (CAS) and a Summary of Underpinning Analysis. Any inconsistencies must be identified in a Statement of Reasons.

Not all new legislation requires a CAS and supporting documents. See a list of these exclusions.

CAS developed by DOC will be listed here when available.