To deliver its objectives, direct regulation must ensure the highest level of compliance possible. This can be achieved through appropriate implementation and enforcement. Non-compliance to CAC regulation presents a serious challenge to its effectiveness <ref name="abbot">Abbot,C. (2009) The Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008. ''Environmental Law Review. 38.''</ref> The manner in which CAC is enforced differs between countries. For example, in the USA, some regulators who are tasked with implementing CAC techniques are given rule-making powers. Whereas in the UK, regulatory standards are more commonly set by departments of government. This is achieved through both primary and secondary legislation which is subsequently exacted by regulatory bureaucracies.<ref name="Baldwin"/> Regulation differs within countries as well, in the UK the current regulatory sanctioning system possesses variations between powers and practices among regulators.<ref name="macrory">Macrory, R. (2006) Regulatory Justice: Making Sanctions Effective. ''Final Report''</ref>
Enforcement of CAC often involves the use of uniform sanctions, this can result in small businesses feeling the burdens of regulation more severely than companies of a larger size.<ref name="macrory"/>
