How we make business inspections smarter

Mr. Joost Dieleman13th June 2012

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Outline

• Introduction to the Dutch society

• Main features of the programme reducing regulatory burdens

• Effective business inspections: framework for reform policy

• Improving the policy: introduction of the “Company file”

The Netherlands in Europe

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The Netherlands- 16,7 mln people- surface: 41.000 km2- density: 403/km2

Lithuania- 3,5 mln people - surface 65.000 km2 - density: 54 /km2

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Introduction to the Dutch society

• Transport and logistics

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Introduction to the Dutch society• Agrofood

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Introduction to the Dutch society• Watermanagement

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Introduction to the Dutch society• Entertainment sector

Introduction to the Dutch society• Agriculture

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Introduction to the Dutch society• Agriculture

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Program reducing regulatory burden

• Program is part of the new Dutch topsector policy

• Two strong elements: regulatory reform and smart use of ICT

• Quantitative targets for net reduction administrative burdens • Reduction of compliance costs: € 100 mln

• Preventing new regulatory burdens (national and EU)

• Qualitative targets: better public service

• Riskbased and effective business inspections

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Programme reducing inspection costs• Riskbased: less inspections for good, trusted companies (inspection

holiday)

• Effective measures for non compliant businesses

• Political issue: working as if they are one inspection authority: close coöperation (Inspection Council)

• Cooperation in development and use of innovative methods

• Cooperation between inspectorates in monitoring companies

• Cooperation and joint development of support services : i.e. ICT, training, working-methods

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More attention for prevention: how do we do?

• Impact assessment of new rules: compliance must be simple; space for innovation

• Let do the business sector what they should do: make them self- responsible

• Inspection authorities should use the expertise of the business sector and the signals of the public/consumers

• More trust for compliant companies that show their accountability

• Sharing data and information between inspectorates

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Case: the Company file• Digital exchange of information between company and government

• An enterpreneur has the possibility to self-check the rules in force for his activity to comply

• But the company is owner of the file and defines the content

• Multiple use of up-to-date information by public national and local authorities (and private-organisations)

• Less inspections, more transparency, cost-efficiënt;

• Start 2011 in three domains (leisure, rubber/plastics, catering).

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Company file on You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6bk3nIBz80

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Points for attention

• The Dutch approach: joint regulatory reform for economic growth

• Importance of ambitious approach: support of EU-program and national political statements

• Focus in regulation on goals instead of specific means

• Political reality: dare not to act on incidents: take a time out

• Make use of the knowledge of the private sector to place business control on the agenda and to get support for solving problems

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