Unethical practices of regulatory inspectors

Inspectors appointed to detect and report on violations of regulations may be persuaded by those responsible to "turn a blind eye" to certain abuses.

Initially inspectors may simply act in order to avoid submitting reports on trivial violations. As a relationship develops with those inspected, in the course of periodic visits, other pressures may be brought to bear in the form of token gifts or typically bribes, which may be substantial. Although individual violations may be of relatively little significance, the pattern of such violations and the corresponding "arrangements" with the inspectors can totally undermine and negate the value of any regulations. This is especially important in connection with factories violating regulations governing environmental pollution or conditions of employment. In the former case it results in long-term emissions of toxic materials above accepted thresholds. In the latter case it results in dangerous working conditions and, in a significant number of countries, in toleration of child labour even though it may be prohibited by regulations.

In the UK in 1993 a report on regulation of the utilities privatized by government found the process to be confused, unaccountable, secretive and ruled by personality cults.

1. Unethical practices

1. Unenforced hunting regulations
2. Suppression of safety records
3. Misuse of statistics
4. Misuse of aerial surveillance by governments
5. Ineffective official inspection of regulated activities
6. Ineffective monitoring
7. Ineffective industry self-regulation
8. Improper collusion among officials
9. Harassment of human rights monitors
10. Corruption of customs and excise officials
11. Biased regulators

1. Violation of regulatory codes
2. Unethical practices by employees
3. Statistical errors
4. Irresponsible regulatory practices
5. Ineffective regulation of pesticides
6. Inadequate national law enforcement
7. Inadequate firearm regulation
8. Inadequate enforcement of environmental regulations
9. Exploitation of regulatory loopholes in countries with underdeveloped legislation
10. Arbitrary enforcement of regulations

1. Unethical practices of public service employees
2. Unethical practices of employers
3. Unethical practices in the public sector
4. Uncertain toxicity thresholds
5. Restrictive regulation of nuclear power
6. Restrictive logging regulations
7. Lack of integrity
8. Domestic bias in the regulation of restrictive business practices
9. Diffuseness of regulatory authority

1. Burden of conflicting national regulations on transnational corporations

1. Complex government regulations

1. Using regulatory powers
2. Training environmental impact assessors
3. Providing fair regulation
4. Intimidating
5. Increasing government regulations
6. Exercising authority illegally
7. Exercising authority
8. Corrupting monitoring agencies
9. Conniving

1. Unfairness
2. Unethical
3. Regulation
4. Intimidation
5. Illegality
6. Corruption
7. Connivance
8. Connection
9. Abuse