Remissordning

Remissordning is a formal procedure used in public administration, particularly in Sweden, by which proposed laws, regulations, or policy measures are circulated to relevant authorities, municipalities, organizations, and other stakeholders for consultation before a final decision is made. The process centers on sending a remissbrev or similar notice that describes the proposal and sets a deadline for responses.

Recipients submit remissvar (consultation responses) containing comments, objections, or suggestions for amendments. The collected responses are compiled, often summarized in a remissutlåtande or remissberättelse, and attached to the policy decision as part of the official record. The aim is to incorporate outside expertise, increase transparency, and improve policy quality and legitimacy.

participation in a remissordning is typically voluntary in the sense that recipients are invited to respond rather than compelled to do so, and while remissvar influence the process, they are usually not legally binding on the final decision. The weight given to responses depends on the context and the issuing authority.

In practice, remissordningar cover national ministries, state agencies, municipalities, and various associations and organizations, with rules and timelines that vary by sector and jurisdiction. Publication practices also differ, with some remissvar made publicly available and others retained within the decision-making body. The concept is common in Sweden and is also used in other Nordic countries with similar administrative traditions.