International Regulatory Co-operation (IRC) enables governments to add an international lens to rulemaking

Regulation in isolation is unproductive in today’s global setting. To fully achieve public policy objectives, it is time for a paradigm shift towards more systematic consideration of the international environment in regulatory frameworks,  at the cutting edge of 21st century's zeitgeist. IRC offers a set of tools for governments and regulators to leverage international evidence and expertise and deliver better policies for their citizens. 

Tackling the complex, interconnected and rapidly changing policy challenges requires international regulatory cooperation (IRC). Experience shows that we cannot manage transboundary challenges and promote global public goods through individual action. This is compounded by new technologies, including digitalization, that pay no regard to national or jurisdictional boundaries and drastically increase the intensity of cross-border flows and transactions. In 2012, OECD countries adopted the Recommendation of the Council on Regulatory Policy and Governance that includes IRC as a key element of regulatory quality.

IRC plays a strong role to “harness” and create common rules of globalisation. Surprisingly, however, this potential remains largely untapped. The OECD Regulatory Policy Committee has built a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the types of challenges requiring IRC and the variety of co-operation approaches.

IRC mobilises an extensive variety of actors in the national and international rulemaking environment. At the country level, law makers and regulators across policy areas are the key initiators of IRC efforts. In the international arena, intergovernmental organisations, private standard-setters, and transgovernmental networks of regulators provide the platform for IRC to take place in specific subject areas.

The IRC policy brief is available here.

Latest updates

December 2022
International Regulatory Co-operation in Competition Law and Chemical Safety

June 2022
OECD Recommendation on International Regulatory Co-operation to Tackle Global Challenges

March 2022
Launch of the French edition of the Compendium of IO Practices 

February 2022
Public consultation on the draft Recommendation on International Regulatory Co-operation to Tackle Global Challenges Deadline: 11 March 2022

October 2021
Rethinking rulemaking through international regulatory co-operation  | Policy brief (from Regulatory Policy Outlook 2021)

September 2021
8th Annual Meeting of International Organisations


July 2021
OECD Best Practice Principles on International Regulatory Co-operation

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