Certainty - the regime must be certain as to: what is required of those who undertake gas and electricity work; who is responsible for ensuring safety; the rights of workers, consumers and the general public; and the way in which the regime is to be enforced.
Flexibility - where changes, for example in technology or preferences, make standards or methods inappropriate or outdated, it should be possible to change those without undue delay or cost.
Transparency - the process for developing regulations and the criteria for making decisions under those regulations must be clear and open to ensure good quality regulation and a high level of compliance.
Competitiveness - the regime should not reduce competition, consumer choice, or incentives to innovate.
Clarity - the whole regime and the individual rules applying in particular situations should be clearly expressed and easy to understand.
Level of intervention - the amount of regulation required should be in proportion to the degree of risk involved in the practice of the occupation. (Note: this was one of the central principles of the policy framework for theGovernment's intervention in regulating occupations, agreed to by the Government on 10 August 1998).
Cost Effectiveness - The benefits of change must outweigh the costs of the proposed changes.