Voluntary Codes: A Guide for Their Development and Use

Organization

Industry Canada

Published

1998

Summary

Voluntary codes that are well-designed and properly implemented can help to achieve public-interest goals, attract customers and minimize regulatory and taxpayer burdens to the benefit of everyone. However, a code that is poorly designed, improperly implemented, or used in inappropriate circumstances, can actually harm both its proponents and the public. The challenge is to know when voluntary codes are most likely to succeed and to establish solid development and implementation processes that are fair, effective and efficient. This Guide is intended to help individuals and organizations meet those challenges.
The first part of the Guide discusses the strengths, weaknesses and other characteristics of voluntary codes and the conditions in which they tend to be most successful. The second part presents suggestions for developing and implementing codes. Recognizing that readers may already be familiar with various aspects of voluntary codes, each section of the Guide is intended to stand on its own.

The Guide discusses several codes already in place, and highlights processes for developing and implementing codes. Readers should not interpret the mention of any particular code or process as endorsement of it by the federal government or by those who participated in the Guide's preparation.

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Source: Consumer Policy Research Database