219.This section creates a duty on Ministers making or amending certain secondary legislation either to include a review provision, or to publish a statement that a review is not appropriate. A review provision creates a legal obligation on the Ministers to carry out and publish a review of the legislation within a certain period of it coming into force and at intervals afterward. (The content of such a review is specified in section 30).
220.The duty applies where the legislation makes or amends a regulatory provision relating to a qualifying activity (both terms are defined in subsequent sections). However it does not apply to measures related to tax, procurement, and grants; to measures that will cease to have effect within five years; or to measures where the relevant legislation already contains a review provision.