Agencies Report Progress Toward Review and Reform of r3 Top 10 Rules

WASHINGTON (Map) - First Six-Month Review Underlines Long-Term Nature Of r3 Initiative

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Federal agencies have begun to make progress on the 2008 Top 10 Rules for Review and Reform, according to the first six-month status report released today by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The status report is part of the long-term Regulatory Review and Reform (r3) initiative, which encourages federal agencies and small business owners to review and reform regulations that are outdated and ineffective.

"I am pleased that agencies are willing to review and reform of several of the 2008 Top 10 Rules," said Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy. "This six-month status update is a direct response to the small business community's request for transparency in agency review of rules."

The first six-month status report, available at http://www.sba.gov/advo/r3, underlines the fact that a comprehensive review of some existing rules will be a long-term process.

The Office of Advocacy is committed to helping reduce the $1.1 trillion yearly cost to Americans of complying with federal regulations, which is more per household than the cost of health insurance.

The smallest of businesses bear the brunt of business regulations. They annually pay 45 percent more per employee to comply with regulations than big businesses do. The intent of the r3 initiative is to help lighten that load by streamlining and updating outdated and ineffective regulations.

Last year, small businesses and their representatives nominated over 80 rules for review and reform. In February, Advocacy announced the 2008 Top 10 Rules for Review and Reform, which were transmitted to the appropriate agencies for their action.

The Office of Advocacy, the "small business watchdog" of the federal 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.

The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government. The presidentially-appointed Chief Counsel for Advocacy advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policy makers. For more information, visit http://www.sba.gov/advo, or call (202) 205-6533.