The lobbying directed at executive agencies is often intense; after all, the businesses and other groups have a great deal at stake. When administrative agencies implement policy, they write rules and regulations, including specific standards, that affect business operations. These rules can have a major impact on business and industry, as well as on ordinary citizens. The federal Administrative Procedure Act requires that the rule making process follow due process of law and be open and fair. Because of the importance of these administrative decisions, interest groups often discuss the issues informally with agency officials.