Is it offensive to use "Red Tape" in a sentence?

Question

I need to reply to an email and I wanted to clarify to the other person that:

I understand exactly what needs to be done on the technical side but
  I'm not familiarized with the red tape involved in the process.

Would that be, somehow, offensive?

Neil W · Accepted Answer

Red tape could be offensive in that it's often used as a value laden term, implying unnecessary or excessive regulatory or managerial requirements. From the point of view of those responsible for that regulation or management it could be seen as a criticism or disparagement of their work and its seriousness. Though in your example it seems a fairly lighthearted euphemism.

Is it offensive to use "Red Tape" in a sentence?

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