Big Data for the Regulatory Process. Systematization and Treatment of Information from and for Regulation through Impact Analysis

ABSTRACT Impact Analysis, as a tool for regulatory-making processes, is a very valuable element for introducing information and knowledge to help law/rule-makers and it enables the assessment of rules in terms of effectiveness. In this paper we intend to show the great potential to exploit the enormous amounts of data currently available (big data) and how it is recognised as a tool with high potential for advantages in data management, processing and analysis. This instrument provides knowledge about the reality that surrounds legal norms but also, on the other hand, generates knowledge about regulations themselves and how they work in social context in terms of improving regulation quality.

KEYWORDS Big Data - Regulatory Impact Analysis - Evidence-Based Policymaking - Data-Driven Rulemaking

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction. – 2. Regulatory Impact Analysis as a Tool for the Preparation of Legal Regulations. – 3. Spain, a Case from Continental Europe. – 4. New Resources for a New Way of Making Regulations. – 5. An Instrument that Generates Information and Knowledge for and of Regulations. Conclusions.