Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

SBA Proposes Overhaul of Small-Business Size Standards

8/21/2026

44 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Small Business Administration proposes a sweeping overhaul of small-business size standards.
The agency issued two Federal Register notices on Aug 20 2026 outlining a new methodology and rule.
The proposal would replace nearly 1,000 NAICS standards with 338 groupings, shifting many thresholds to employee-based.
It would raise thresholds for 45 industries, adding 115,000 firms and increasing IT services’ limit from $34 M to $531 M.

1 of 1

Story summary

The U.S. Small Business Administration proposes a sweeping overhaul of small-business size standards.
The agency issued two Federal Register notices on Aug 20 2026 outlining a new methodology and rule.
The proposal would replace nearly 1,000 NAICS standards with 338 groupings, shifting many thresholds to employee-based.
It would raise thresholds for 45 industries, adding 115,000 firms and increasing IT services’ limit from $34 M to $531 M.