Fresh moves by the Government to tackle red tape and stop regulators "breathing down the necks" of businesses have sparked concern among unions and industry leaders.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced a "major shake-up" of business inspection so that firms would be offered advice and support, but would also be allowed to "get on" with their work.
Mr Clegg told a business audience in London there needed to be a "culture change" in bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency and HM Revenue and Customs.
"They will need to respect the regulator's compliance code, which says regulators must think about and encourage economic growth, and they will have to make sure they aren't breathing down your necks.
"Why, for example, should regulators be able to turn up at your door whenever they want and as often as they want?
"Why can't we limit the number of inspections to, say, two a year, ensuring these bodies coordinate amongst themselves to stick within that limit?
"Which body does what can be extremely unclear, so we're minimising the number of authorities you will have to deal with in the future. Introducing sunset clauses for new regulators. Placing them under rolling review.
"If they become irrelevant, or their functions are replicated elsewhere, they'll go."
Mr Clegg said some regulation such as the minimum wage, patenting laws and carbon budgets was "hugely important", but he added that the coalition's "attack" on red tape had already saved businesses £3 billion, with a further £600 million worth of savings expected from exempting more firms from being audited.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "This is another example of the Government putting the right to make a fast buck before our health and safety and our lives - although at least the Deputy Prime Minister acknowledges the dangers of the 'scrap it all' line peddled by the Tory die-hards."