What is the primary difference between regulations and legislation?

The primary difference between regulations and legislation lies in their scope and purpose. Regulations are specific rules or directives that are created to implement and enforce the broader laws established by legislation. While legislation is the formal enactment of laws by a governing body, regulations are detailed guidelines that explain how those laws will be applied and enforced in practice.

For instance, a law may dictate a general principle, such as improving workplace safety, while regulations would outline the specific safety standards that employers must follow to comply with that law. This relationship delineates the framework of law and the operational details that help in achieving the law's intended outcomes.

The clarity that regulations provide makes it easier for organizations to understand compliance requirements, whereas legislation, being broader, sets the overarching legal framework.