The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reaching out to small businesses, governments, and not-for-profit entities for participation in the development of a new regulation on perchlorate in drinking water. The agency is inviting these groups to act as Small Entity Representatives (SERs) and provide input to a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel.

This initiative is part of the EPA's efforts to create a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for perchlorate, a chemical contaminant. This action falls under the Safe Drinking Water Act and follows court orders requiring the establishment of such regulations. The EPA aims to propose this NPDWR by November 2025 and finalize it by May 2027.

The Regulatory Flexibility Act mandates that agencies form an SBAR Panel when rules could significantly impact numerous small entities economically. The panel will include federal representatives from the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the EPA itself. These representatives will consult with selected SERs who will offer insights on how the proposed rule might affect small entities.

The EPA encourages self-nominations from small public water systems serving populations of 10,000 or fewer, which may be impacted by this regulation. Trade associations representing these systems can also participate as SERs.

Interested parties must submit their self-nominations by October 17, 2024.

For more information or to nominate oneself as an SER, visit the EPA’s perchlorate in drinking water webpage.