Established by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA), this office provides an independent and confidential avenue for small entities to raise issues involving federal agencies. By holding federal agencies accountable, the National Ombudsman effectively reduces unnecessary regulatory burdens.
Per statute, the National Ombudsman ensures the voices of small businesses, government entities, and not-for-profit organizations are heard at the highest levels of federal government. The Office of the National Ombudsman reports annually to Congress on federal agency responsiveness to comments.
Federal Agency Comments
Small entities are encouraged to file a Federal Agency Comment if they experience any of the following:
- Excessive or uneven regulatory enforcement actions
- Audits, on-site inspections, compliance assistance efforts, or other enforcement related communication or contact by federal agency personnel
- Issues with existing federal regulation or guidelines
If you are not able to file using the online form:
- Email the PDF comment form to ombudsman@sba.gov
- If you cannot access either form, please call 888-REG-FAIR
Filing a comment does not limit your rights or obligations related to the federal agency involved.
Small Entity Compliance Guidance
When federal agencies publish regulations that may have a significant economic impact on small businesses, they are required to publish Small Entity Compliance Guides. These guides help small businesses understand new regulations and how they might affect them.
Our One-Stop Shop for Small Business Compliance makes it easier for you to find these guides and get in touch with federal agencies.