This “WASH Regulation (WASHREG) Approach: An Overview” is intended to help WASH professionals and other stakeholders understand the elements of WASH regulation within a broader enabling environment for effective and sustainable WASH service delivery. The document aims to provide clarity on the main areas of WASH regulation, the main tasks of water and sanitation regulatory actors and introduces a conceptual framework for a phased approach to regulatory reform. The conceptual framework for regulatory reform is further explained, and an accompanying full methodology is provided in a separate document:“The WASHREG Approach: Methodology”, which provides a practical step by step guide to help countries identify and plan for implementing the “best-fit” solution to regulatory reform.