Regulatory aims

Ofqual aims to ensure that:

• the regulation of awarding bodies, qualifications, examinations and national curriculum assessments is effective and reflects best practice
• standards for qualifications and assessments are maintained
• the qualifications market is fit for purpose
• public confidence in qualifications and assessments is improved and maintained
• the regulation of qualifications, examinations and tests accommodates and encourages innovation and best practice
• customer concerns and enquiries are dealt with in a fair, timely, helpful and responsive manner.

Ofqual's strategy is to adopt a proportionate approach to regulation, aiming to intervene only when necessary, after assessing whether there is a risk to the fairness of the system or to an individual learner.

Ofqual's regulatory approach follows the five principles of regulation established by the government's Better Regulation Task Force:

• proportionate - regulators should only intervene when necessary. Remedies should be appropriate to the risk posed, and costs identified and minimised
• accountable - regulators must be able to justify decisions and be subject to public scrutiny
• consistent - government rules and standards must be joined up and implemented fairly
• transparent - regulators should be open, and keep regulations simple and user-friendly
• targeted - regulation should be focused on the problem and minimise side effects.

The regulatory instruments are designed to ensure the availability of high-quality qualifications that are fit for purpose. They help to ensure and increase public confidence and understanding of qualifications and standards.

There are four types of regulatory instrument:

• statutory regulations
• qualification and subject criteria
• codes of practice
• regulatory principles.

They are reviewed regularly to take account of  innovations in qualifications and assessment, and are used as the basis for our risk-based monitoring of awarding bodies and qualifications. You can find more information about the regulatory instruments in this area of the website.