Summary of the impact

An AHRC and ESRC-funded Edinburgh research collaboration with the Argentinian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovative Production (MOST), from 2007-2012, served as a key driver in the formation of regulatory structures, norms, knowledge and social understanding, helping to overcome state non-intervention in the regulation of regenerative medicine. As a direct result of engagement with the stakeholders in law/policy, medical and scientific communities, the research exposed a strong appetite for top-down legal intervention. This culminated in the first-ever model law presented by the MOST to the Argentine legislature (Congress) in 2013.

Summary of the impact

Dr Robert Falkner's research into international risk regulation for emerging technologies underpins the work of the Nanotechnology Policy and Regulation programme at LSE. On the basis of this work, Dr Falkner was tasked by the European Commission to lead the first ever comparative study of nanotechnologies regulation in the EU and US. This research has stimulated policy debates in the UK and Europe on how to strengthen regulatory capacity in the field of nanotechnologies. The research has highlighted, in particular, the importance of improved transparency about nanomaterials in consumer goods and supply chains. This research finding has influenced the conclusions of the first UK parliamentary enquiry into nanotechnologies regulation and has informed a recent shift in global policy debates towards comprehensive and mandatory nanomaterials registers.

Summary of the impact

Much contemporary government activity involves regulation of the economy and society. International organisations have increasingly promoted regulatory impact assessment as a tool to appraise the likely costs and benefits of regulations. Ground-breaking research by a team at the Centre for European Governance (CEG) has exposed the limitations of narrow economic approaches to regulatory impact assessment and regulatory reform. The research shows that impact assessment and regulatory measures need to be cast in their political and administrative context to operate effectively and to ensure appropriate cross-national learning about regulation. The main impacts have been:

• Bringing in political-administrative context to change policy-makers' thinking and improve regulatory impact assessment policy in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and World Bank as reflected in the guidance they distribute internationally to governments;
• Improving the Netherlands Government's processes for learning about regulation from experiences in other countries;
• Developing and applying new measures of regulatory performance in the OECD as reflected in the OECD's new framework for evaluating regulation.

Summary of the impact

Research published in peer-reviewed journals/books and reports commissioned by government departments have had significant impact on UK government policy relating to the reform of domestic consumer law.

Impact can be seen in legislation adopted to transpose EU directives into domestic law, as well as the development of reform proposals during the current period (notably the Consumer Rights Bill [draft bill published on 12 June 2013]). The research was also used to give evidence to a House of Lords Select Committee and to assist the Law Commission with several projects.

The ultimate non-academic beneficiaries are UK consumers, because a clearer and streamlined set of legal rules will make it easier for them to identify their rights and encourage greater compliance by business. Other non-academic beneficiaries are staff from Consumer Direct and the Citizens Advice Bureau who advise on consumer law, and the UK government itself.

Summary of the impact

Research by the UCL Centre for Law and the Environment has directly influenced government policy and practice on environmental regulations, enforcement and sanctions. It has:

• Led to the enactment of government legislation;
• Influenced the creation of a new sanctions policy between the UK Environment Agency and private companies;
• Benefited environmental charities and local communities;
• Led to the establishment of a new Environment Tribunal in England and Wales;
• Established new regulatory sanctions principles adopted by other regulatory agencies;
• Influenced environmental sanctions policies in other jurisdictions.

Summary of the impact

The findings of University of Reading research around the contemporary proliferation of `regulatory myths' and media misrepresentation of health and safety law have been used by a number of stakeholder organisations and charitable bodies in evidence given to official Government reviews, and drawn upon by those reviews as part of the development of policy recommendations for Government. By reshaping the policy debate around public perceptions of safety regulation, the innovative analysis of this phenomenon developed in the research output has allowed key actors to understand and draw attention to a major policy problem in a more coherent and principled manner.

Summary of the impact

The ESRC Innogen Centre brought together a multiplicity of disciplines for a large 12-year research programme (2002-14) on the impact of regulation on innovation dynamics in the life sciences. Research design promoted interactions between stakeholders to achieve policy impact. Innogen developed a range of tooIs to disseminate research findings and influence policy in Europe, the African Union (AU), Kenya, Qatar and at the OECD. We used secondments and temporary placements to achieve impact, as well as more traditional activities and outputs, resulting in major policy impacts in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Summary of the impact

This impact case study provides details of research carried out by Dr David Whyte on the regulation of deaths and injuries caused by working. This research led directly to the introduction of new legislation in the Scottish Parliament in 2010. The research has also had a measurable influence upon policy debates in the Health and Safety Commission/Board and the UK Parliament and has provided the foundation for trade union policy on health and safety regulation. This case study draws upon inter-disciplinary knowledge in the disciplines of law, criminology, economics and business and management studies to impact upon policy development in government, the criminal justice system and the trade union sector.

Summary of the impact

3D scanning technology has enabled multiple opportunities for innovation in diverse areas such as manufacturing, design, and the arts. However, full utilisation of this technology requires not just the scanning hardware, but accompanying software that can build meaningful, editable models. This development has been pioneered by research conducted in the School of Computer Science and Informatics, at Cardiff University. Innovative algorithms for reverse engineering and digital shape reconstruction were devised that enabled the reconstruction of complex computer aided design (CAD) models from data captured by 3D scanners. The algorithms have been endorsed by Geomagic Inc, a market leading American software corporation (recently acquired by 3D Systems), that has subsidiaries in Europe and Asia and global distributors, and incorporated into their software product suite. This is accessed by nearly 10,000 licensed users worldwide, who have applied the product for industrial applications including aerospace and automotive engineering, product design, cultural heritage preservation, and healthcare. Accordingly, the impacts claimed are twofold: a) economic gain manifesting in the benefits to Geomagic and a plethora of end users who have utilised the software, b) impact on practitioners and professional services in diverse domains.

Summary of the impact

The four Environment Agencies in England & Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland have introduced, or are planning to introduce, new strategies for regulating low risk treatment sites and activities. These strategies are based on Black and Baldwin's research. Implementation is planned for 2011-13 onwards. The Irish Environmental Protection Agency has led the way in 2012-13, having already implemented GRID/GRAF in a specific low risk area (domestic waste water).