Best practice principles for licensing and permitting

Licensing and permitting systems are meant to protect people and the environment by requiring approval before risky activities begin. But, too often, they can become the default response to uncertainty, even for low-risk activities, creating layers of unnecessary procedures that slow down innovation, increase costs, and undermine citizens’ trust that governments are focusing on real risks. Today’s challenges demand systems that are faster, fairer, and more focused on genuine risks. Smarter approaches can reduce unnecessary burdens, strengthen resilience in times of crisis, and ensure that citizens feel both safe and well-served by government action. This policy brief, based on the report Licensing and Permitting: How to manage risks while supporting growth, sets out why reform matters now and how governments can design systems that deliver better outcomes. By applying a risk-based approach, focusing on what truly matters for safety and innovation, and aligning good practices across borders, governments can support growth while protecting the public interest and building trust.