The Guidelines recognise that the most effective laws and regulations are worded in plain language, allowing the “lay person” to understand requirements and goals. Additionally, laws are implemented more effectively when they allow the regulated community time to adapt. Sometimes compliance can be costly or require changes to equipment and procedures. Thus effective regulations allow ample time for the regulated community to understand the law and change their practices if necessary. Laws and regulations can be designed to enter into force gradually through setting compliance standards that become increasingly strict as time passes. This approach can allow the regulated community sufficient time to comply with the laws’ requirements.
Enforcement mechanisms and practices should take account of the particular characteristics of the MEA in question in addition to the particular legal, economic, cultural, and social characteristics of the state that is enforcing them.