Ref: 43/02
Date: 28 June 2002

New guidelines on how Oftel will review consumer protection policies and assess the potential impact of policy decisions have been published today.

The new guidelines will ensure that stakeholders understand the different processes Oftel follows in its work and give increased transparency to its decision making process.

Oftel will use the Consumer protection policy review guidelines to review policy areas not covered by market reviews or competition policy. For example, handling consumer complaints, publication of information aimed at consumers, and premium rate services.

Oftel is inviting comments from stakeholders on its Consumer protection policy review guidelines.

The complementary Regulatory option appraisal guidelines set out the framework that Oftel will use to assess different options when taking its decisions.

These guidelines will be used in all areas of Oftel's work, including consumer protection and competition-related issues, as a basis for assessing the impact of different policy options.

Oftel has also published market research guidelines which set out good practice in the use of market research resources at different stages of policymaking, implementation and compliance.

Peter Waller, Director of Operations, said:

"Oftel already has a strong reputation for the quality of its policy analysis.

"Oftel is also committed to transparency. We are now publishing these guidelines to give stakeholders a complete picture of the processes which drive our decision-making.

"Oftel will shortly publish revised guidelines on market reviews. Once these guidelines are finalised, stakeholders will be able to see the overall framework in which Oftel makes decisions across its work.

"We are pleased to have developed an analytical framework for consumer protection policy which will enable us to explain the basis on which we make decisions about those aspects of our work – for example consumer information and universal service – which are not based mainly on market economics or market regulation.

"We are also pleased to have set out, in the form of the Regulatory option appraisal guidelines, a practical framework for robust and transparent decision-making that incorporates central government guidance on best practice."

Comments on Oftel's Consumer protection policy review guidelines must be received by 28 August.

Notes to editors

Consumer protection policy review guidelines, Regulatory option appraisals: assessing the impact of policy proposals and Guidelines on best practice use of Oftel's market research are published on Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/about/guid0602.htm. Hard copies are available to the media from Oftel's Press Office, tel 020 7634 8991 and to the public from Oftel's Research and Information Unit, tel: 020 7634 8761.