What is Red Tape?

Red Tape can include legislation, regulations, fees, permits, approvals, licenses, standards, paperwork, processing time, guidelines, filing and certification requirements, reporting, investigation, inspection and enforcement practices, and procedures. The key determinants of whether something constitutes Red Tape are unnecessary and burdensome administrative and regulatory requirements.

Red tape can involve

• overlap and duplication
• insurmountable paperwork resulting in time delays on business
• unnecessary or inflexible regulations
• lengthy delays in processing
• inefficiencies in the system

Red tape can interfere with

• the ability to compete in a global marketplace
• the development of new enterprises
• growth of existing enterprises
• job creation
• government's ability to provide an efficient service

Reducing red tape is important, so is maintaining high standards. The Regulatory Reform Initiative will reduce administrative and regulatory inefficiencies while maintaining high standards, a level playing field for businesses, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government services to its citizens. It will not compromise important public objectives such as protection of the environment, health and safety, and consumer and public protection, nor will it compromise government’s internal controls and due diligence.