What is an Ombudsman and how can EPA’s Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman (ASBO) assist me?
An ombudsman (also known as an “ombuds”) is a representative or an advocate for a fair process. An ombuds may assist through exploring various alternatives and problem-solving options, including investigating, reporting on, and helping settle complaints or concerns. According to the Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS), most federal ombuds share three core standards of practice—independence, confidentiality, and impartiality—along with common characteristics, which are:
- They have a commitment to fairness
- They provide an informal process for receiving, reviewing, and assisting in the resolution of complaints or issues
- Through their assistance, they do not make decisions binding on the agency or provide formal rights-based processes for redress
EPA’s Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman (ASBO) Program serves two distinct roles, serving as both EPA’s Asbestos Ombudsman and EPA’s Small Business Ombudsman. Combined, they form a comprehensive program that serves as an informational liaison and advocate for a fair assistance, helping connect you to additional information, including questions surrounding asbestos, or small business compliance and technical environmental regulation questions.
For more information, review ASBO’s Program Guide.