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An evaluation of the quality of impact assessment in the European Union with lessons for the US and the EU

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  • Caroline Cecot
  • Robert Hahn
  • Andrea Renda
  • Lorna Schrefler

Abstract

Governments throughout the world are requiring greater use of economic analysis as a way of informing policy decisions. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the use of impact assessment in the European Union, using US assessments as a benchmark. We find that recent EU impact assessments include more economic information than they did in the past, although important items are still missing. We also provide evidence that the quality of EU impact assessment increases with the expected cost of a proposal. Furthermore, we find that the quality of EU assessments that report high total costs is similar to that of US assessments.

Suggested Citation

  • Caroline Cecot & Robert Hahn & Andrea Renda & Lorna Schrefler, 2008. "An evaluation of the quality of impact assessment in the European Union with lessons for the US and the EU," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 2(4), pages 405-424, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:reggov:v:2:y:2008:i:4:p:405-424
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-5991.2008.00044.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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