Asetusehdotukset

Asetusehdotukset are draft texts of regulations prepared by government ministries or other public authorities to regulate a matter through a binding regulatory act. They are the preparatory stage of an asetus and serve to translate policy decisions into concrete rules. They are distinct from laws (laki), which are typically enacted by the legislature, and from non-binding guidelines.

An asetusehdotus typically includes the proposed regulation text, the legal basis, the scope and definitions, obligations or prohibitions, enforcement provisions, transitional arrangements, and an impact assessment outlining expected economic, social, and administrative effects.

Drafting is usually led by the responsible ministry or agency. The process may involve impact assessments, consultation with stakeholders, and internal reviews. Depending on jurisdiction, the proposal is submitted to the government or cabinet for decision; in some cases, it is sent to Parliament if required by law. After adoption, the regulation is published in the official regulation collection and enters into force on a specified date.

In the European Union, asetusehdotus can refer to the Commission’s proposal for a Regulation. Such proposals include the text and an explanatory memorandum; adoption requires agreement of the Council and the European Parliament, after which the regulation becomes directly applicable in member states without transposition.

Transparency: draft texts and impact assessments are commonly made available to the public during consultation and after publication, enabling scrutiny and feedback.