The Obama administration has established an average of 72 regulations on manufacturers annually, an increase from the 45 per year imposed under President George W. Bush, according to the study, commissioned by the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation, based in Arlington, Virginia.

"It is imperative that the pace of new regulations be controlled and the cumulative burden of existing regulations be reduced," said the study, conducted by NERA Economic Consulting.

With job creation a central theme in the U.S. presidential race, the health of manufacturing companies is of importance to both Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Industry groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Manufacturers have said federal regulations hinder economic growth.

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