regulado

Regulado is the past participle of the verb regular in Spanish and Portuguese, and it functions as an adjective meaning subjected to regulation by law or authority. In legal and policy language, something described as regulated is governed by formal rules, licensing, oversight, or price controls imposed by public institutions rather than by market forces alone.

In economic and regulatory contexts, many sectors are described as regulated, including energy, telecommunications, transport, financial services, and water. Regulatory frameworks typically establish licensing or authorization requirements, minimum service or safety standards, price or tariff approvals, and consumer protections. Tariff regulation may involve mechanisms such as price caps, rate-of-return rules, or benchmarking. Regulators can be independent authorities or government ministries, usually with a mandate to oversee compliance, monitor service quality, and resolve disputes, sometimes reporting to a legislative body.

In policy discussions, the term is often used to distinguish between regulated and liberalized or competitive regimes. The concept of a regulated market reflects the aim of balancing public interest, universal access, reliability, safety, and fair pricing, especially in natural monopolies or essential services where competitive outcomes are difficult to achieve.

In Spanish-speaking contexts, regulated is common in phrases like mercado regulado (regulated market), servicio regulado (regulated service), and tarifa regulada (regulated tariff). In Portuguese-speaking settings, the term carries a similar meaning within their regulatory structures. See also regulated market, price regulation, utility regulation, licensing, and independent regulator for related concepts.