It removed some of the constraints on Deregulation Orders under the 1994 Act, by providing wider powers for government ministers to make a Regulatory Reform Order by statutory instrument.

[1] Under the 2001 Act, a government minister can make a Regulatory Reform Order to "[reform] legislation which has the effect of imposing burdens", with a view to removing or reducing the regulatory burdens.

The Act provided for four Deregulation Orders that were moving through the approval process to be completed.

Between enactment in April 2001 and July 2005, the Act was used to pass 27 Regulatory Reform Orders.

These included orders to remove restrictions on business tenancies; to liberalise rules on gaming machines; to extend licensing hours for New Year's Eve 2001; rationalise legislation on fire safety; and, for the Queen's Golden Jubilee, to remove the 20-partner limit on partnerships.