eRulemaking: Improving Public Access and Participation in Federal Regulatory Process

4 February 2022

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Facilitating greater public understanding and participation

Federal agencies worked with Be Informed through the eRulemaking Program to modernize the federal regulatory process and improve public access to regulatory information.

Ultimately, these efforts will contribute to a more open, accessible, and collaborative regulatory environment, benefiting both government agencies and the public they serve.

"The Be Informed platform, with its case management capabilities and strong knowledge component, is the perfect low-code platform for fast and reliable implementation of applications. It integrates seamlessly into complex application landscapes, helping organizations remain compliant while keeping process flexible!"

Challenges in the Federal regulatory process

Complex and difficult-to-navigate regulations

The Federal regulatory process is often difficult for the public to understand, limiting transparency and reducing meaningful public participation.

Inconsistent regulatory data and document management

Differences in document naming conventions, taxonomies, and data protocols across agencies created inconsistencies in how regulatory information was managed and accessed.

Limited searchability and tracking capabilities

The lack of standardized metadata and comprehensive search functionality made it difficult for stakeholders to locate documents and follow rulemaking activities throughout their lifecycle.

Advancing the future of digital rulemaking

With the support of Be Informed, the eRulemaking Program helps federal agencies modernize how regulatory information is managed and accessed across Regulations.gov and FDMS. Through more connected, standardized, and searchable regulatory processes, the initiative improves transparency, strengthens collaboration, and creates a more accessible rulemaking experience for both agencies and the public.

Standardized document management

Federal agencies adopt common naming conventions, taxonomies, and standardized field structures to improve consistency and simplify regulatory document management.

Improved search and accessibility

By restructuring dockets and implementing standardized naming conventions, the initiative makes it easier for the public and stakeholders to find, search, and navigate regulatory information across Regulations.gov.

Transparent rule lifecycle with RINs

The use of Rule Identification Numbers (RINs) enables stakeholders to track the full lifecycle of rulemaking actions, improving transparency and accountability in agency decision-making.

Greater public participation and collaboration

By simplifying access to regulatory information, the initiative empowers citizens, organizations, and stakeholders to engage more effectively in the federal rulemaking process.

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About OMB

The core mission of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is to serve the President of the United States in implementing his vision across the Executive Branch. OMB is the largest component of the Executive Office of the President. It reports directly to the President and helps a wide range of executive departments and agencies across the Federal Government to implement the commitments and priorities of the President.

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