Legislation vs. Regulation — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
Legislation refers to laws enacted by a governing body, like a parliament or congress. Regulation refers to specific rules or guidelines set by government agencies to implement legislation.
Difference Between Legislation and Regulation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Legislation is the act of creating or modifying laws, usually carried out by a body of elected officials, such as a congress or parliament. Regulations, on the other hand, are detailed instructions or guidelines that help in the practical implementation of these laws. While legislation lays out the broad strokes, regulations go into the nitty-gritty of how those laws will be applied.
Legislation often needs to pass through several steps for approval, including votes and amendments. Regulations are usually developed by governmental agencies and don't require legislative voting, but they must be in compliance with statutes. Regulations elucidate how the intentions of the legislation will be carried out practically.
Legislation is broader in scope, setting the general legal and policy framework. Regulation, however, is more specific and outlines the technical standards or procedures required to meet the legislative goals. Legislation provides the "what" and "why," while regulations provide the "how."
Legislation is more permanent and harder to change because it involves a rigorous legislative process. Regulation can be more easily amended or updated by the responsible governmental agency. Both are essential for a functioning society, but legislation is the overarching set of rules, and regulations are the detailed guidelines that make those rules workable.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Broad
Specific
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Creation Body
Parliament, Congress
Government Agencies
Scope
General Rules
Detailed Guidelines
Amendability
Harder
Easier
Purpose
Sets Framework
Implements Laws
Compare with Definitions
Legislation
Legislation sets the legal standards that must be followed.
The legislation makes it illegal to discriminate based on gender.
Regulation
Regulation refers to rules set by authorities for implementing laws.
The new EPA regulation limits carbon emissions.
Legislation
Legislation is the act of making or enacting laws.
The new climate change legislation aims to reduce carbon emissions.
Regulation
Regulation controls the way something is done or operated.
The financial regulation ensures fair trading.
Legislation
Legislation is the body of laws currently in effect within a jurisdiction.
The legislation in this state prohibits smoking in public places.
Regulation
Regulation is the management of complex systems according to a set of rules and trends. In systems theory, these types of rules exist in various fields of biology and society, but the term has slightly different meanings according to context.
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated (or "enacted") by a legislature or other governing body or the process of making it. Before an item of legislation becomes law it may be known as a bill, and may be broadly referred to as "legislation", while it remains under consideration to distinguish it from other business.
Regulation
A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority
Planning regulations
Legislation
Laws, considered collectively
Housing legislation
Regulation
The action or process of regulating or being regulated
The regulation of financial markets
Legislation
The act or process of legislating; lawmaking.
Regulation
The act of regulating or the state of being regulated.
Legislation
A proposed or enacted law or group of laws.
Regulation
A principle, rule, or law designed to control or govern conduct.
Legislation
The act of legislating; preparation and enactment of laws.
Pass legislation
There is a lack of legislation about human cloning.
Regulation
A governmental order having the force of law. Also called executive order.
Legislation
Law which has been enacted by legislature or other governing body
Regulation
(Embryology) The capacity of an embryo to continue normal development following injury to or alteration of a structure.
Legislation
The act of legislating; preparation and enactment of laws; the laws enacted.
Pythagoras joined legislation to his philosophy.
Regulation
(Sports) The standard playing period for a timed game, prior to overtime or a shootout.
Legislation
Law enacted by a legislative body
Regulation
(uncountable) The act of regulating or the condition of being regulated.
Legislation
The act of making or enacting laws
Regulation
(countable) A law or administrative rule, issued by an organization, used to guide or prescribe the conduct of members of that organization.
Army regulations state a soldier AWOL over 30 days is a deserter.
Legislation
Legislation refers to a law or set of laws formally made by a governing body.
The legislation was passed by Congress last year.
Regulation
A type of law made by the executive branch of government, usually by virtue of a statute made by the legislative branch giving the executive the authority to do so.
Legislation
Legislation can be a single law or a collective term for multiple laws.
Various pieces of legislation govern intellectual property.
Regulation
A numbered provision within such kind of law.
Regulation
(European Union law) A form of legislative act which is self-effecting, and requires no further intervention by the Member States to become law.
Regulation
(genetics) Mechanism controlling DNA transcription.
Regulation
(medicine) Physiological process which consists in maintaining homoeostasis.
Regulation
In conformity with applicable rules and regulations.
Regulation
The act of regulating, or the state of being regulated.
The temper and regulation of our own minds.
Regulation
A rule or order prescribed for management or government; prescription; a regulating principle; a governing direction; precept; law; as, the regulations of a society or a school.
Regulation
An authoritative rule
Regulation
A principle or condition that customarily governs behavior;
It was his rule to take a walk before breakfast
Short haircuts were the regulation
Regulation
The state of being controlled or governed
Regulation
(embryology) the ability of an early embryo to continue normal development after its structure has been somehow damaged or altered
Regulation
The act of bringing to uniformity; making regular
Regulation
The act of controlling or directing according to rule;
Fiscal regulations are in the hands of politicians
Regulation
Prescribed by or according to regulation;
Regulation army equipment
Regulation
Regulation is often established by governmental agencies.
The Food and Drug Administration sets food safety regulations.
Regulation
Regulation may govern professional conduct or standards.
The medical board sets regulations for practicing medicine.
Regulation
Regulation specifies detailed requirements to achieve legislative intent.
Building regulation specifies the materials that can be used in construction.
Common Curiosities
What is regulation?
Regulation refers to specific rules or guidelines set by agencies to implement laws.
Who creates legislation?
Elected bodies like parliaments or congresses create legislation.
Is legislation broader than regulation?
Yes, legislation sets the general framework, while regulation is more specific.
Can regulation exist without legislation?
No, regulation is meant to implement existing legislation.
Can legislation exist without regulation?
Legislation can exist but may be ineffective without specific regulations.
What is legislation?
Legislation refers to the act of making or enacting laws by a governing body.
Is legislation permanent?
Legislation tends to be more permanent and harder to change.
What is the primary purpose of regulation?
To provide specific guidelines for implementing legislation.
Who creates regulation?
Governmental agencies usually create regulation.
Is legislation the same as law?
Legislation once enacted becomes law.
Is regulation flexible?
Regulation can be more easily amended or updated.
Is legislation always national?
No, legislation can be federal, state, or local.
Is regulation always national?
No, regulations can also be federal, state, or local.
Is regulation the same as law?
Regulation has the force of law but is not enacted by the legislative body.
What is the primary purpose of legislation?
To set the legal and policy framework within a jurisdiction.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
