Objectives: The aim of this study is to formalize a set of rules, principles and instruments to suit the purpose of a good technical regulatory practice that would discipline the development and application of technical regulations based on legitimate objectives oriented by public interests. Such framework is required for the benefit of an efficient regulatory system to avoid unnecessary barriers to trade and without loss of public interests. Motivation: To contribute to the advance of technical regulation and best regulatory practices in Brazil, as a strategy to promote the country internationally. Context: The study was developed in the context of a worldwide movement, coordinated by the WTO, to harmonize nomenclature and procedures and to develop good regulatory practices, recognizing that purely technical aspects are not suffice to justify an unified approach. Methodology: The good regulatory practice here proposed is based on: (i) a diagnosis of technical regulation in place (ii) a search of the minimum characteristics of the regulatory systems in the light of WTO recommendations and relevant commercial agreements and (iii) a review of the specialized literaure and an exploratory survey among the regulatory bodies to find out their functional and operational aspects. Results: In the light of international practices, this work identifies, discusses and establishes a set of guiding principles considered essential to good regulatory practice, namely: (i) adherence to basic precepts and international practices; (ii) risk assessment associated with the introduction or not of a specific regulation; (iii) integrated coordination of a national system of regulation; (iv) infra-structure of national committees; (v) a national system of standardization; (vi) a national system of metrology; (vii) basic infra-structure for conformity assessment; (viii) security networks for the regulatory system and (ix) market surveillance. Conclusions: The introduction of a code of regulatory practices constitutes a pre-condition to an adequate functioning of any regulatory system. In the light of the best international regulatory practices, nine essential attributes were identified to promote harmonization of the regulatory bodies and information exchange between them; citizenship; economic development and reduction of their cultural, environmental, economic and social impacts.