Top 10 Rules the SBA Doesn't Like

The EPA proposed last March to exclude some types of recyclable metals and solvents from its rules on hazardous solid waste by changing the definition. Waste considered hazardous is subject to more stringent and costly methods of treatment and disposal.

The Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association in Washington and Gary Mason, chief executive of iSi Environmental Services, a Wichita consulting firm, asked that the same change be included in the Top 10 list to stress its importance.

IPC-Association Connecting Electronics Industries, with about 2,500 members, said changing the definition would encourage more recycling of the electroplating waste metal sludge that is a byproduct of making printed electronic circuit boards, which are found in almost every electronic product. The EPA expects to finish the rule in July.

Fern Abrams, director of government relations and environmental policy for Bannockburn, Ill.-based IPC, said the group represents small businesses as well as the largest manufacturers. The smaller members would benefit most because their cost of regulatory compliance is usually higher.

Environmentalists claim that narrowing the definition of hazardous waste will allow more toxic substances to enter land and water supplies.

Thea Lee, policy director for the AFL-CIO federation of unions in Washington, said the nomination process doesn't account for worker safety -- as in a proposal to change a rule covering mine explosives -- or the environment.

The SBA's Sullivan said the top picks were based on whether they offered alternative approaches to settling a regulatory controversy while still offering protection.

"It's the responsible way to approach it," he said. "A ton [of nominators] were upset about rules or entire departments."

One businessman whose complaint didn't make the cut appreciated a chance to vent. Ray Burgess, president of Mattress Makers in Tacoma, Wash., doesn't like a Consumer Product Safety Commission rule issued in March 2006 to prevent mattress fires.

"This rule is a devastating blow to small mattress factories," Burgess said. "It is an assault on common sense."

Sullivan said no matter who is in the White House, these rules will remain priorities for his constituency. Not everyone agrees.

"My hope is it just goes in the circular file," said Robert Shull, deputy director for regulatory policy at Public Citizen, a public-interest group in Washington.

Cindy Skrzycki is a regulatory columnist for Bloomberg News. She can be reached atcskrzycki@bloomberg.net.