Reguleering

Reguleering is a term occasionally used in policy and regulatory studies to describe a systematic approach to the design, implementation, and ongoing adjustment of rules and regulatory instruments within a jurisdiction or sector. The term, a portmanteau of regulate and regulation, is used to emphasize adaptability and continuous improvement in governance rather than a one-off rulemaking exercise.

Definition and scope: Reguleering covers the full lifecycle of regulatory activity, from problem scoping and rule design to instrument choice (laws, standards, incentives), enforcement, impact monitoring, and iterative revision. Proponents stress transparency, stakeholder participation, proportionality, and accountability as core features.

Key concepts and methods: The approach draws on risk-based regulation, where choices are guided by potential impact rather than blanket rules; performance-based standards; sunset clauses; regulatory sandboxes; and adaptive governance that revises rules in light of new evidence, technology, or market change.

Applications: Reguleering is discussed in environmental protection, financial regulation, digital platforms, privacy, and artificial intelligence governance, where rapid change requires rules that can evolve without sacrificing legitimacy or predictability.

Criticism and challenges: Critics caution that excessive emphasis on adaptability can create regulatory uncertainty, strategic behavior by actors, or administrative burden. The term’s usage varies, and some observers treat it as synonymous with broader regulatory reform rather than a distinct framework.

See also: Regulation, Regulatory impact assessment, Administrative law, Governance.