Rules vs Regulations
Although Rules and Regulations are two words that are often confused since they appear to mean the same, there is, in fact, some difference between them in terms of their usage and connotations. First let us define the two words. Rules refer to an established and authoritative standard of principle; a general norm mandating or guiding conduct or action in a given type of situation. On the other hand, Regulations refer to sets of rules that have legal connotations. This is the main difference between the two words. This article attempts to clarify the difference between rules and regulations in depth.
What are Rules?
A rule is traditionally defined as “Generally an established and authoritative standard of principle; a general norm mandating or guiding conduct or action in a given type of situation”. Rules are used to restrict certain procedures. By ‘traffic rules,’ you tend to understand that you should follow certain restrictions when it comes to moving in traffic.
Rules pertain to games, sports and the like. In short it can be said that rules are quite often associated with games or sports. They describe how a particular game or sport should be played. Now let us move on to regulations.
What are Regulations?
It is important to note that in legal translation the word ‘regulation’ is used to denote a set of rules that have legal connotations. Regulations are official in use whereas rules are not official in use. This is one of the key differences between rules and regulations. Also when speaking of the context in which regulations can be seen one can notice another striking difference. Regulations usually pertain to a workplace such as an office or a firm.
Another way of differentiating regulations from rules is that regulations are a set of standards that must be followed at any cost. These standards will not change. On the other hand, rules should be followed for the betterment of a workplace or a concern. Rules are at times transgressed. Regulations cannot be transgressed for that matter.
A regulation becomes a legal rule. For example, a regulation issued by a local government or administrative agency becomes a legal rule. It becomes a restriction that has legal force. This shows that although most of use the words rules and regulations interchangeably they have specific meaning. This difference can be summarized in the following manner.
What is the Difference Between Rules and Regulations?
Definitions of Rules and Regulations:
Rules: Rules refer to an established and authoritative standard of principle; a general norm mandating or guiding conduct or action in a given type of situation.
Regulations: The word ‘regulation’ is used to denote a set of rules that have legal connotations.
Characteristics of Rules and Regulations:
Nature:
Rules: Rules are being used to restrict certain procedure.
Regulations: Regulations are being used to control certain procedure.
Official State:
Rules: Rules are not official in use.
Regulations: Regulations are official in use.
Context:
Rules: Rules pertain to games, sports and the like.
Regulations: Regulations pertain to a workplace such as an office or a firm.
Image Courtesy:
1. Rules By Artico2 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
2. “Traffic-control-Roma“. [CC BY-SA 3.0] via Wikimedia Commons
