Introduction

Regulatory agencies/bodies are institutions created by governments to provide certification,

registration, licensing or regulatory affairs thereto ensuring the protection of public interest and
other similar components of control. They make rules, implement them and prosecute the
violators by performing quasi-legislative, administrative and quasi-judicial functions. Regulatory
agencies are usually a part of the executive branch of the government, or they have statutory
authority to perform their functions with oversight from the legislative branch. Their actions are
generally open to legal review. Regulatory authorities are commonly set up to enforce standards
and safety. It commonly set up to enforce safety and standards, and/or to protect consumers in
markets where there is a lack of effective competition or the potential for the undue exercise
of market power. Examples of regulatory agencies that enforce standards include the Food and
Drug Administration in the United States and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory
Agency in the United Kingdom; and, in the case of economic regulation, the Office of Gas and
Electricity Markets and the Telecom Regulatory Authority in India.

Definition of Regulatory Body

Regulatory body is the formal organization designated by a statute or an authorized government

agency to implement the regulatory forms and process whereby order, consistency and control
are brought to the profession and its practice.”

Types of Regulatory Bodies

 International level regulatory bodies.

 National level regulatory body.
 State level regulatory body.

International Level Regulatory Bodies

International Council of Nurses (ICN)

 The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of more than 130 national nurses
associations (NNAs), representing the more than 20 million nurses worldwide. Founded in 1899,
ICN is the world’s first and widest reaching international organisation for health professionals.
Operated by nurses and leading nurses internationally, ICN works to ensure quality nursing care
for all, sound health policies globally, the advancement of nursing knowledge, and the presence
worldwide of a respected nursing profession and a competent and satisfied nursing workforce.
ICN's ever-increasing networks and connections to people reinforce the importance of strong
linkages with national, regional and international nursing and non-nursing organisations.
Building positive relationships internationally helps position ICN, nurses and nursing for now
and the future. Our work with the specialized agencies of the United Nations system, particularly
with the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organisation and the World Bank,
are important for nurses everywhere. In addition, we work closely with a range of international
non-governmental organisations and other partners.

The ICN is the global voice of nursing. The main purpose of the ICN is to provide the means
through which the national associations can share their interests in the promotion of health and
care of the sick.

Objectives of ICN

 To promote the development of the strong national nurses association.

 To assist national nurses association to improve the standards of nursing education and practice.
 To assist national nurses association to improve the status of nurses within their countries.
 To serve as the authoritative voice for nurses and nursing internationally.

Activities

 The ICN has published the Code for Nurses

 It makes the policy statement on health and social issues.
 It also maintains and improves the status of nurses.
 The council works to improve the nursing education and practice by publishing the guidelines for
National Nurses Association.