This report maps and analyses the core issues which together make up effective regulatory management for France, laying down a framework of what should be driving regulatory policy and reform in the future.

The importance of effective regulation has never been so clear as it is today, in the wake of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. But how exactly can Better Regulation policy improve countries’ economic and social welfare prospects, underpin sustained growth and strengthen their resilience? What, in fact, is effective regulation? What should be the shape and direction of Better Regulation policy over the next decade?
Issues examined include:
• Strategy and policies for improving regulatory management.
• Institutional capacities for effective regulation and the broader policy making context.
• Transparency and processes for effective public consultation and communication.
• Processes for the development of new regulations, including impact assessment, and for the management of the regulatory stock, including administrative burdens.
• Compliance rates, enforcement policy and appeal processes.
• The multilevel dimension: interface between different levels of government and interface between national processes and those of the EU.
The participating countries are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Table of contents
Abbreviations and acronyms
Country Profile – France
Executive Summary
Introduction: Conduct of the review
Chapter 1: Strategy and policies for Better Regulation
Assessment and recommendations
Background
Economic context and drivers of Better Regulation
Developments in France’s Better Regulation agenda
Guiding principles for the current Better Regulation agenda
Main Better Regulation policies
Communication on Better Regulation strategy and policies
Ex post evaluation of Better Regulation strategy and policies
E-Government in support of Better Regulation
Chapter 2: Institutional capacities for Better Regulation
Assessment and recommendations
Background
The French public governance context
Institutional framework for devising public policies and regulations
Developments in Better Regulation institutions
Key institutional players for Better Regulation policy
Resources and training
Chapter 3: Transparency through consultation and communication
Assessment and recommendations
Background
Public consultation on regulations
Public consultation on regulations
Access to the law
Chapter 4: The development of new regulations
Assessment and recommendations
Background
The development of legislation
Ex ante impact studies
Ex post evaluation of regulations
Alternatives to legislation
Taking account of risk
Chapter 5: The management and rationalisation of existing regulation
Assessment and recommendations
Background
General background: The aims of administrative simplification in France
Simplifying the law
Methodology and process
Subnational levels of government
Chapter 6: Compliance, enforcement, appeals
Assessment and recommendations
Background
Compliance and enforcement
Types of recourse against administrative decisions
Chapter 7: The interface between member states and the European Union
Assessment and recommendations
Background
General context
Negotiating EU regulations
Transposing EU directives
Link with the European Commission’s policy on regulatory governance
Chapter 8: The interface between subnational and national levels of government
Assessment and recommendations
Background
Structure, responsibilities and funding of local governments
So-called “deconcentrated” state services
Regulatory governance policies at the subnational level
Co-ordination mechanisms
Bibliography
Annex A: Powers transferred to the territorial communities
Annex B: Application of laws
Annex C: Structure of the “Guide for drafting legislation and regulations”
Annex D: The Constitutional Reform of 23 July 2008
Annex E: Independent administrative authorities
Annex F:The process of preparing laws and decrees in France
Annex G: Local level use of ICT
Annex H: Reference system for impact assessments
Annex I: Progress report on the 15 measures outlined on 19 October 2009