SBA National Ombudsman Recognizes Six Federal Agencies for Regulatory

November 16, 2007; 10:34 AM
WASHINGTON – Six federal agencies have been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of the National Ombudsman for their extraordinary responsiveness and service to small businesses dealing with regulatory enforcement issues.

The agencies acknowledged for their efforts include the Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Department of Labor, the Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security, the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Commerce.

“These agencies’ dedication to providing small businesses with the regulatory tools they need, as well as working with the National Ombudsman to address fairness in enforcement, truly promotes an environment in which America’s small businesses can grow and succeed,” said Nicholas N. Owens, National Ombudsman and Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Enforcement Fairness.

Fulfilling the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act’s mandate can only happen when federal agencies are willing to work with the National Ombudsman to promote their policies in a fair manner, without placing unfair burdens on small business owners.  These six agencies, Owens said, have shown a strong commitment to regulatory fairness, and have assisted the Office of the National Ombudsman in supporting small business interests.

“By implementing effective compliance assistance programs for small businesses, and through fostering a more small business friendly regulatory environment, federal agencies can be more responsive to small businesses,” Owens said.  “There is more to be done to ensure consistent fairness in the enforcement of regulations, and I look forward to continuing to facilitate assistance for small businesses toward an even-handed approach to regulatory enforcement.”

Created by Congress in 1996, the Office of the National Ombudsman’s primary goal is to assist small businesses when they experience excessive or unfair federal regulatory enforcement actions.  The National Ombudsman receives comments from small business concerns and coordinates with federal agencies to review and resolve any questions of regulatory fairness.  Also, the National Ombudsman issues an Annual Report to Congress rating federal agencies on responsiveness to small business concerns, compliance assistance, non-retaliation policies, and initiatives in accordance with the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act.

To learn more about the Office of the National Ombudsman, please visit www.sba.gov/ombudsman or call 1-888-REG-FAIR (734-3247).