Digital Regulatory Lab

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NML is designing an easy-to-navigate Digital Regulatory Lab (DRL) to pull the organization’s research and policy evidence out of lengthy reports and into a digital format. The DRL will highlight findings from reports, tools, comparative assessments, case studies, and other data-driven research tools in order to enable policymakers and stakeholders to have relevant information at their fingertips when making strategic decisions.

The Digital Regulatory Lab will provide stakeholders with access to the myriad of legal and policy insights that NML has developed in over 15 years of working around the world. The DRL will offer access to legal and policy knowledge that examines the connections between different substantive legal areas including trade, gender, agricultural markets, services, standards, environmental rules, and the digital economy - to help economic legal and regulatory systems function equitably and effectively overall.

The DRL will showcase:

  • Key takeaways, data points, and recommendations from research reports on aspects relating to legal and regulatory governance of the market.
  • Searchable options on improving legal design and implementation that a stakeholder can choose from based on policy priorities.
  • Comparison of domestic laws and regulations and their alignment with international law, including regional trade agreements.
  • RSMs that map out legal systems step by step, with context-based analysis focused on qualitative indicators.

The DRL will organize information considering the following factors and indicators:

  • Legal design that promotes equity and inclusion.
  • Flexibility that allows countries to adapt to changing circumstances.
  • Sustainable development.
  • Rules that incorporate engagement with stakeholders & inclusive rulemaking.
  • Transparency in existing policies and rules.
  • Effectiveness of existing rules and their implementation.
  • Implementation gaps in systems and actionable pathways for change.

(References Kuhlmann, 2021; Kuhlmann, 2023; other work forthcoming)