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Gains and Shortcomings in Resolving Regulatory Conflicts and Overlaps

PAD-81-76 Published: Jun 23, 1981. Publicly Released: Jun 23, 1981.
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Highlights

In response to growing concern in Congress and in the business community, GAO examined the nature, extent, and causes of conflicting and overlapping regulatory requirements. GAO met with various Federal officials, reviewed pertinent documents, and asked 50 large companies to provide it with specific examples of conflict and overlap.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Office of Management and Budget The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in cooperation with the Task Force on Regulatory Relief, should: (1) require regulatory agencies to assess the effects associated with interacting regulatory requirements as part of their procedures to conduct regulatory impact analyses; (2) continue to study selected industries to identify and mediate regulatory problems such as conflict and overlap; (3) identify and evaluate statutory impediments to regulatory coordination and recommend legislative changes when necessary to allow agencies to work together; and (4) require regulatory agencies to schedule for concurrent review closely related rules that establish requirements for the same product, process, or substance.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

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Topics

Federal regulationsstate relationsJurisdictional authorityRegulatory agenciesReporting requirementsState lawSmall businessCoalPrivate sectorLicenses