An agency is a department of a local or national government responsible for the oversight and administration of a specific function, such as a customs agency or a space agency. A government agency is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of types of agency. Although usage differs, a government agency is normally distinct both from a Department or Ministry, and other types of public body established by government. The functions of an agency are normally executive in character since different types of organization (such as commissions) are normally used for advisory functions, but this distinction is often blurred in practice.

A government agency may be established by either a national government or a state government within a federal system. (The term is not normally used for an organization created by the powers of a local government body.) Agencies can be established by legislation or by executive powers. The autonomy, independence and accountability of government agencies also vary widely.

History

Early examples of organizations that would now be termed a government agency include the British Navy Board, responsible for ships and supplies, which was established 1546 by King Henry VIII and the British "Commissioners of Bankruptcy" established in 1570. The United States Library of Congress was founded in 1800 and is, unusually, an agency of the legislative branch of government.

From 1933, the New Deal saw rapid growth in US federal agencies, the "alphabet agencies" as they were used to deliver new programs mandated by legislation, such as federal emergency relief.

From the 1980s, as part of New Public Management, several countries including Australia and the United Kingdom developed the use of agencies to improve efficiency in public services.

Government agencies of India

The term agency in India has several meanings. For example, the Cabinet Secretariat describes itself as a "nodal agency for coordination amongst the ministries of the Govt.of India". Most notably as an international feature, what appear to be independent agencies (or apex agencies) include some that have active roles for Ministers: such as, the National Security Council, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and the Planning Commission, which is chaired ex-officio by the Prime Minister.

Government agencies of the United Kingdom

Agencies in the United Kingdom are either Executive Agencies answerable to government ministers or non-departmental public bodies answerable directly to one of the parliaments or devolved assemblies of the United Kingdom.

Agencies can be created by enabling legislation by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, Scottish Parliament or the National Assembly for Wales.

Agencies in England usually answer to Westminster or the British Government. In Scotland they usually answer to the Scottish Executive or the Scottish Parliament and in Wales to the National Assembly for Wales.

Some have remits that cover the entire UK and these organizations are funded by and answer to the British Government.

Government agencies in the United States

The Congress and President of the United States delegate specific authority to government agencies to regulate the complex facets of the modern American federal state. Also, most of the 50 U.S. states have created similar government agencies, but with limited, state-level regulatory power. The term "government agency" is usually applied to Independent agencies of the United States government - that exercise some degree of independence from the President's control. Although the heads of Independent Agencies are often appointed by the President, they usually can only be removed for cause. The heads of Independent Agencies work together in groups, such as a commission, board or council. Independent Agencies often function as miniature versions of the tripartite federal government with the authority to legislate (through the issuing, or "promulgation" of regulations), to adjudicate disputes, and to enforce agency regulations (through enforcement personnel). Examples of independent agencies include the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Most federal agencies are created by Congress through statutes called "enabling statutes," that define the scope of an agency's authority. Because the Constitution does not expressly mention federal agencies (as it does the three branches), some commentators have called agencies the "headless fourth branch" of the federal government. However, most independent agencies are technically part of the executive branch, with a few located in the legislative branch of government. By enacting the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) in 1946, Congress established some means to oversee government agency action. The APA established uniform administrative law procedures for a federal agency's promulgation of rules, and adjudication of claims. The APA also sets forth the process for judicial review of agency action.