Expert review of regulations. The regulation must stipulate a clear minimum duration for interministerial consultation, which the author ministry of the draft cannot shorten on its own initiative. A maximum duration of the consultation process (within which the author ministry can, on its own initiative, set a shorter deadline for responding to other ministries) is not considered sufficient for awarding points. Regulations can stipulate the obligation to inform the government about the outcomes of the consultation process either by a table of opinions and responses or in any similar way. For interministerial co ordination and conflict resolution mechanisms to be considered as integrated into the decision making process at the top administrative level it must, at a minimum, be possibility to discuss outstanding conflicting views of line ministries at the top administrative level meeting prior to discussion in the government. Points are awarded for each of the following six criteria fulfilled in the regulatory framework (total of 9 points).