Puerto Rico's Periodic Rule Review Achieves Small Business and Public Health Goals

Puerto Rico's Regulatory Flexibility Act requires agencies and departments to perform periodic reviews of existing regulations. Earlier this year, Puerto Rico's Department of Health conducted one such review at the request of small business owners and the Ice Manufacturing Association. Puerto Rico's Rule 6090, "Reglamento General de Salud Ambiental," was meant to ensure that commercially produced ice is clean and uncontaminated. In the course of inspecting ice plants, health inspectors would confiscate any bags printed with a company logo and issue fines for rule violations. After a thorough review and receipt of comments from business owners, the Department of Health agreed to modify the regulation to permit printing on one side of a transparent plastic bag, and it eliminated the associated fine.