ABSTRACT
Quality Assurance is part of the language of modern management, so might be seen as part of the problem. A quality management system should be judged by its results: better, more competitive products and services, growth in market share and better returns on investment - in short the creation of more real wealth. If planning and environmental management are intended to facilitate appropriate development, and to protect assets, they should be judged by their consequences: the quality and appropriateness of development. Many planning documents are couched in the language of sustainable development. Even if the case for re-regulation is accepted, reliance on the private sector for development initiatives, investment, management and 'customer level' delivery add to the difficulties faced by an essentially reactive planning system and public sector. If deregulation and its impacts lead to, or coincide with, failing service standards and other difficulties then re-regulation appears necessary.
