The term “RRO” is commonly used in the fire safety sector, but it’s not entirely accurate. This myth dives into the technicalities of UK fire safety legislation and explains why precise terminology matters in regulatory contexts.

28 October 2024

Short answer: No.

Long answer:

In the fire safety sector, most people in England and Wales will know what you mean, though technically it is incorrect. Firstly, there are numerous RRO’s, only one refers to fire safety, and secondly, the one that refers to fire safety only applies in England and Wales.

Chapter 6 of The Regulatory Reform Act 2001 gave powers to the Secretary of State to create Regulatory Reform Orders (RROs), subject to parliamentary approval, in England and Wales, aimed at simplifying and improving regulatory frameworks. For example, RROs brought in under this Act include:

The Regulatory Reform (Special Occasions Licensing) Order 2001 - SI 2001/3937

The Regulatory Reform (Voluntary Aided Schools Liabilities and Funding) (England) Order 2002 - SI 2002/906

The Regulatory Reform (Carer’s Allowance) Order 2002 - SI 2002/1457

The Regulatory Reform (Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979) Order 2002 - SI 2002/1592

The Regulatory Reform (Removal of 20 Member Limit in Partnerships etc.) Order 2002 - SI 2002/3203

The Regulatory Reform (Special Occasions Licensing) Order 2002 - SI 2002/3205

The Regulatory Reform (Credit Unions) Order 2003 - SI 2003/256

The Regulatory Reform (Assured Periodic Tenancies) (Rent Increases) Order 2003 - SI 2003/259

The Regulatory Reform (Sugar Beet Research and Education) Order 2003 - SI 2003/1281

The Regulatory Reform (British Waterways Board) Order 2003 - SI 2003/1545

 

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (as amended) applies exclusively to England and Wales and is often, and more correctly, referred to as the Fire Safety Order or FSO for short.