Colombia has gradually embedded the regulatory practices enshrined in the policy document CONPES 3816/2014 and the National Development Plan which set out the regulatory reform agenda. The strategy includes establishing an institutional mechanism to promote regulatory quality, building capacities for RIA, carrying out RIA for subordinate regulation, requiring regulators to consult with stakeholders prior to the issuance of regulation, and reducing administrative burden.
Currently, each Ministry uses their own website to acquire comments from the general public. The consultation mechanisms include consulting with interest groups, having informal sectoral consultations and roundtables at different stages of the regulatory process. Colombia could benefit from consolidating the plans on having a centralised public consultation system (SUCOP) which would aid in systematising the requirement to consult with stakeholders.
Regarding regulatory impact assessment, the government of Colombia has started its implementation focused on technical regulation with views to expanding it and making it mandatory for subordinate regulation during 2018. Ex post evaluation has been gradually implemented by the regulatory agencies in telecommunications, energy and water.
Indicators presented on RIA and stakeholder engagement for primary laws only cover processes carried out by the executive, which initiates approx. 13% of primary laws in Colombia. There is no requirement in Colombia for conducting RIAs or consultation to inform the development of primary laws initiated by parliament.