NEWSRELEASE
For Release: September 3, 2003
Contact: John McDowell (202) 205-6941
john.mcdowell@sba.gov
SBA Number: 03-44 ADVO
Mixed Review On Federal Agency Compliance With Executive Order 13272
Agency Training Begins; Improvements Needed In Agency Compliance
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Federal agencies face a mixed review of their compliance with President Bush’s Executive Order 13272, according to a report issued today by the Office of Advocacy. The Executive Order requires federal agencies to consider the impact of proposed regulations on small business before the rules are put into place. The report notes that Advocacy is encouraged by actions taken so far, however “more compliance is needed.”
“I’m encouraged by what we’ve seen from federal agencies,” said Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy. “In the year since President Bush acted on his pledge to tear down regulatory barriers to job creation for small business by signing E.O. 13272, agencies have improved their record. But, greater compliance across all agencies is clearly needed. We expect to see more widespread compliance as we complete training of the agencies, as called for by the President,” he concluded.
Advocacy has begun training federal agencies in how to properly consider their impact on small business early in the regulatory process. By listening to the voice of small business early in the regulatory process, agencies can minimize regulatory barriers to job creation and economic growth while still meeting their regulatory goals. The ongoing training will continue into 2004.
The report evaluates federal agencies’ compliance with the three main requirements of the Executive Order. These include implementation of written policies to measure the impact of proposed regulations on small business, notification to Advocacy if draft rules will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, and careful consideration of Advocacy’s comments reflecting small business concerns about the proposed regulations.
The Office of Advocacy, the “small business watchdog” of the government, examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the President. It is the source for small business statistics presented in user-friendly formats and it funds research into small business issues.
For more information and a complete copy of report, visit the Office of Advocacy website at
www.sba.gov/advo.###
Created by Congress in 1976, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy directs the office. The Chief Counsel advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policy makers. Economic research, policy analyses, and small business outreach help identify issues of concern. Regional Advocates and an office in Washington, DC, support the Chief Counsel’s efforts. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, visit
www.sba.gov/advo, or call (202) 205-6533.