Regulation is one of the principal tools the federal government uses to implement public policy. Agencies' rulemaking processes generally share three basic phases: (1) initiation of rulemaking actions, (2) development of proposed rules, and (3) issuance of final rules. Agencies' rulemaking processes include opportunities for internal and external deliberations and reviews, and, as appropriate, procedures for the development of an RIA. Figure 1 provides an overview of these rulemaking phases, including how agencies incorporate RIAs into the overall rulemaking process, when applicable.