94-305 to advocate the views of small business before federal agencies and Congress. In the proposed rule, the agency certifies to the Office of Advocacy that although the rule may have a significant impact on a number of small entities, the impact will not be substantial. This conclusion is supported by bald assertions that the majority of the entities already have the required mesh size and would not be affected. There are no numbers regarding the number of entities that will be affected, the size of the industry, or the number of entities that already have the requisite equipment.
Advocacy submits that without the requisite information, the certification is inadequate.
In addition to the certification being vague, and at times nebulous, Advocacy also questions the accuracy of the conclusion that the impact may be significant, but not substantial. This statement obviously contradicts the conclusion found on page RIR-50 of the Initial Regulatory Flexiability Analysis which states that it does not have a significant impact on small entities. It also contradicts the certification found in the proposed rulemaking. Accordingly, Advocacy submits that the agency should clarify the proposed ruling and determine which conclusion is correct. Without clarification, it is difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain the true economic impact that this amendment may have on the small businesses operating under Amendment 8.