Washington, D.C., March 16, 2005 - Federal agencies must take into account the effect of regulations on small businesses if these companies are to remain engines of innovation in the U.S., the president of the nation's best-known manufacturer of electronic enclosures told the House Small Business Committee in testimony today. According to Bud Industries President Blair Haas, the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act (H.R. 682) recently introduced by Chairman Don Manzullo (R-IL) is an important safeguard to achieving this goal and can help the U.S. compete against countries creating better business opportunities for small, high-tech companies.

"There are strong arguments in favor of many the U.S.'s regulations," Haas said. "However, the volume of these regulations, their layers and their compliance costs also have created a landscape that is increasingly expensive and burdensome for business, particularly for small business." According to Haas, H.R. 682 can close loopholes in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), compel agencies to comply with the spirit of the RFA and ensure that small businesses remain competitive.

One key element of the Regulatory Flexibility Improvement Act is its requirement of more detailed economic impact analysis of proposed regulations on small business, including an examination of the indirect costs, Haas, a member of the Electronic Industries Alliance's (EIA) Board of Governors, told the Committee. "Hidden costs can prove even more burdensome than financial outlays, and it is critical that agencies complete a thorough assessment of their potential before imposing them on small businesses that may not be able to shoulder them," he noted. "In addition, more input from small businesses on proposed regulations would help ensure that our concerns are addressed and that the agencies better understand the implications of their proposals."

For Bud Industries, some of the more burdensome regulations include those associated with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Alternative Minimum Tax, Superfund cleanup, pension plan rules and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Haas pointed out that regulations have a purpose and place in both government and business but argued that the U.S. must strike a balance between federal rule-making and long-term competitiveness if it is to maintain its leadership role as a nation where small business-driven innovation is nurtured and expanded. "While I recognize that there were good intentions and perceived improvements in the development of each of these regulations, they have had the unintended consequence of costing us huge amounts of both money and time. Further improvements to the process, such as those outlined in the RegFlex Improvement Act, would be helpful to companies like ours."

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About Bud Industries
Bud Industries, Inc., founded in 1928, is the nation's leading manufacturer of enclosures and related products for the electronics and data industries. The Bud line includes products ranging from small handheld boxes to large cabinet racks, products made from plastic as well as metal, and standard electronic products as well as those that meet NEMA and seismic requirements. Bud's standard line of more than 2500 products is heavily stocked by distribution as well as by the company, allowing same-day shipment on more than 90% of the enclosures sold. Modified standard and custom products are also available, as is complete design support. To request a free catalog or additional information on Bud Industries products, visit www.budind.com, or contact the Sales Department at:
4605 E. 355th Street
Willoughby, OH 44094
Phone: 440-946-3200
Fax: 440-951-4015
Email: saleseast@budind.com

About EIA
The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) is a national trade organization that includes the full spectrum of U.S. manufacturers. The Alliance is a partnership of electronic and high-tech associations and companies whose mission is promoting the market development and competitiveness of the U.S. high-tech industry through domestic and international policy efforts. EIA, headquartered in Arlington, Va., comprises nearly 1,300 member companies whose products and services range from the smallest electronic components to the most complex systems used by defense, space and industry, including the full range of telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics.