The US Congress also passed the Government Performance and
Results Act in 1993 which requires federal agencies to review and justify their programs
in terms of quantifiable performance indicators, which could include benefit cost assessments. Until these actions were taken, federal agencies were not required
to demonstrate that health and safety regulations produced benefits in excess of costs,
except in a few special cases such as pesticide regulation. Responding to increased
demands for assessment of its programs, the US Department of Agriculture instituted an Office of Regulatory Assessment and Cost–Benefit Analysis in 1995.