regulatory-change-digest

name	Regulatory change digest
description	Compare two versions of a rulebook and report what changed and who it hits.
category	research

Digesting a regulatory change

Somebody needs to know what changed and whether it touches them, in five minutes.

Produce three sections

1. What changed — clause by clause, old text and new text, with the substance of the change in one line.
2. What it applies to — which products, entities or activities, and from what date, with any transitional period stated.
3. What it looks like it needs — process, disclosure, system or reporting, phrased as a question for the owner rather than as a conclusion.

Distinguish carefully

Drafting cleanups from substantive changes, and new obligations from clarifications of existing ones. Say which each item is, because the reader will budget differently.

Always flag

Anything shortening a deadline, widening a scope, or adding a personal obligation on a named officeholder.

Never

Interpret an ambiguity, conclude the firm is compliant, or say a change does not apply. Route it with the reason it might.