Web parts are the components of an organization's site that provide modularity and flexibility. Web parts are ASP.NET server-side modules that are available to be put into a page via a web part zone. The modules perform all different kinds of functions based on an organization's needs.
SharePoint 2010 Enterprise comes with 60+ web parts. In addition, an organization can create their own web parts based on business requirements.
There are two considerations to think about with regards to governance of web parts in the context of this recipe.
What a web part can be allowed to do
What web parts are available to be put onto a page
You must have farm-level administrative permissions to the Central Administration site.