25Appointment of body to verify assessments and lists in reportsU.K.
(1)The Secretary of State must appoint an independent body to verify—
(a)the assessment to be included in a report by virtue of section 23(3)(b), and
(b)that all of the regulatory provisions in a list included in a report by virtue of section 23(3)(f) are regulatory provisions (as defined in section 22(3)) which—
(i)have come into force or ceased to be in force during the reporting period in respect of which the report is made, and
(ii)do not fall within section 23(3)(a).
(2)The body appointed under this section must publish a statement recording any verification made by virtue of subsection (1)(b).
(3)The appointment of the body must be made before the date on which a business impact target is published in relation to the relevant period.
(4)The appointment of the body must be for the duration of the relevant period.
(5)“Independent body” means a body which, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, is independent of the Secretary of State.
(6)The body appointed under this section must have expertise in assessing the likely economic impact of regulation on business activities (including activities carried on by smaller scale businesses or voluntary or community bodies).
(7)Subsection (1)(b) is to be read in accordance with section 23(11).