Consistency Accountability Statements and related documents

The Regulatory Standards Act 2025 strengthens transparency and accountability for new legislation considered by Parliament. The Act sets requirements for consistency assessments of proposed legislation against the principles of responsible regulation in the Act.

The Act is supported by the Cabinet circular Expectations for Good Law-making [CO (26) 2](external link) which sets administrative requirements for agencies subject to Cabinet direction. 

For new legislation (and reviews of existing legislation), the following documents are required:

  • Consistency Accountability Statement (CAS) – this confirms the agency has reviewed the legislation has reviewed the legislation for consistency with the principles of responsible regulation in the Act and summarises any inconsistency.
  • Summary of Underpinning Analysis – this explains how the legislation has been assessed for consistency with each of the principles. 
  • Statement of Reasons (if applicable) – this is a statement from responsible Minister or maker, where the CAS has identified inconsistencies with one or more of the principles, explaining the reasons for any identified inconsistencies.

For more information about CASs and related documents, visit the Ministry for Regulation website.(external link)

These documents were introduced on 1 July 2026 and replaced the Disclosure Statements published on the Parliamentary Counsel Office website(external link). 

CASs and related documents published by the Ministry of Justice:

No CASs and related documents have yet to be published.

This page was last updated:

 
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