washingtonpost.com - The RegulatorsThe RegulatorsSmall-Business Advocate Plays Big Role in Rulemaking- April 23, 2005 When federal regulators were considering a rule last summer to limit workers' exposure to cancer-causing hexavalent chromium, industry groups that use the compound to make pigment, dyes and chrome plating met with officials from the Office of Management and Budget . Also at the table, as a proponent for business, not government rulemakers, was a representative of the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy .http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64540-2005Jan10.html?nav=rss_business/colum... OSHA Slow to Act on Beryllium Exposure, Critic Says- April 23, 2005 For several years, Adam M. Finkel, a top administrator at the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said he expected the agency to test its inspectors for exposure to beryllium fumes or dust. In 2002, he realized the agency was not moving in that direction, and he became a whistle-blower.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52864-2005Jan31.html?nav=rss_business/colum... Phony Internet Moving Brokerages Take Consumers for a Ride- April 23, 2005 Besides death and divorce, one of the more stressful life experiences is moving. Though Americans do it frequently, it can be disruptive and costly under the best of conditions. Even reputable movers admit it's often not a positive experience -- even for educated consumers.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15596-2005Mar7.html?nav=rss_business/column... Medicare Reconsiders Claims Criteria for Wheelchairs- April 23, 2005 For people with disabilities, motorized wheelchairs can be a great way to improve mobility, especially if the government will pick up most of the tab for the pricey machines, as Medicare does. But reports of fraud in 2003 led to a crackdown by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that has some manufacturers, suppliers and beneficiaries complaining the changes went too far.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16847-2005Jan17.html?nav=rss_business/colum... Questioning the Cattle Call- April 23, 2005 The Congressional Review Act is an arcane regulatory repeal tool that has been used by Congress successfully only once. With a quick vote in Congress and the signature of President Bush on March 20, 2001, the Labor Department's controversial ergonomics rule was wiped out of existence.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61751-2005Feb28.html?nav=rss_business/colum... A Gutsy David Takes On a Goliath- April 23, 2005 There are no awards for moxie in regulating, but if such a program is ever established, supporters of Armando Falcon Jr. , director of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight , would probably nominate him. The tiny agency was created in 1992 to oversee Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac , two government-backed housing financiers with assets and mortgage guarantees adding up to more than $3 trillion.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A30436-2004Dec27.html?nav=rss_business/colum... Strapped Automaker Appeals NHTSA Rule on Air Bags- April 23, 2005 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration isn't usually in the business of letting companies off the hook on federal safety requirements -- or paying attention to affairs of state. But a fledgling car company has asked the agency to do both, pleading for regulatory leniency on the grounds of economic hardship, both for the company and for the country of Romania.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42690-2005Feb21.html?nav=rss_business/colum... Aviation Emissions Reform Has Trouble Taking Off- April 23, 2005 The agreement just didn't fly. For the past five years, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration tried to negotiate with the airline industry, airport operators, environmental groups and state regulators to reduce emissions from the aviation sector, both aircraft and ground equipment.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62437-2004Dec13.html?nav=rss_business/colum... Antiperspirant Makers Sweat Out FDA's Data Request- April 23, 2005 In June 2003, the Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule saying that antiperspirants could safely and effectively reduce the amount of sweat coming from users -- for up to 24 hours. The personal-products industry was almost immediately up in arms, so to speak.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24925-2005Feb14.html?nav=rss_business/colum... Redrafting Handicap-Access Guidelines- April 23, 2005 The rules governing how businesses must comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act are about to get a tune-up, a prospect that has companies worried.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35425-2005Mar14.html?nav=rss_business/colum... |