ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13610Executive OrderObama · D

Executive Order 13610

Identifying and Reducing Regulatory Burdens

This executive order directs federal agencies to conduct ongoing retrospective reviews of existing regulations to identify outdated or burdensome rules, with emphasis on reducing costs and paperwork while protecting public health and safety. It mandates regular public participation, prioritizes reforms that save money and reduce burdens on small businesses, and requires agencies to report progress to OIRA semi-annually starting in September 2012.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 28469

Impact dates

  1. Draft reports due on second Monday of January each year

  2. First draft retrospective review reports due to OIRA

  3. Final reports made public within 3 weeks of draft submission

Key directives

  • Agencies shall invite regular public suggestions about regulations needing retrospective review
  • Retrospective analyses and supporting data shall be released online wherever practicable
  • Agencies shall prioritize initiatives with significant quantifiable monetary savings or paperwork reductions
  • Agencies shall give special consideration to reducing burdens on small businesses
  • Agencies shall consider cumulative effects of their regulations
  • Agencies shall submit draft reports to OIRA on September 10, 2012
  • Agencies shall submit draft reports on second Monday of January and July each year thereafter
  • Final reports shall be made public within 3 weeks of draft submission to OIRA

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Agencies must begin inviting regular public suggestions for retrospective review
  • OIRA to consult with agency heads on public participation frequency

Near term (90d)

  • First draft reports to OIRA due September 10, 2012

Long term

  • Semi-annual reporting cycle established for January and July each year thereafter
  • Ongoing institutionalization of retrospective review processes

Risks & tensions

  • Vague: 'regular basis' for public participation left to agency head discretion with OIRA consultation—implementation may vary widely
  • Tension between reducing regulatory burdens and protecting public health, welfare, safety, and environment—order repeatedly qualifies priorities with this balance
  • No enforcement mechanism for non-compliance; reporting is procedural
  • Excludes independent regulatory agencies from coverage, limiting reach
  • Savings claims ('billions of dollars,' 'tens of millions of hours') reference anticipated outcomes from prior EO 13563 plans, not guaranteed results of this order
Executive Order 13610: Identifying and Reducing Regulatory Burdens · Executive Orders