Welcome to the latest ISSA Legislative & Regulatory Update, a biweekly round up of the public policies currently impacting the cleaning and facility solutions industry. This update touches on registration opening for the 2027 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit, NORMI, the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, and more.

Want to stay informed about critical government affairs impacting the entire built environment? Sign up here to have the ISSA Legislative & Regulatory Update emailed directly to you every other week.

ISSA Advocacy

Registration Open: 2027 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit

Early-bird registration is officially open for the 2027 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit, April 12–13 in Washington, DC. Register early and secure your seat at the premier advocacy fly-in for the cleaning and facility solutions industry.

Hosted by ISSA, the two-day summit brings industry leaders from across the country to Washington to learn, connect, and advocate for policies that strengthen the industry.

Day One — Learn, Connect, & Celebrate

Get insider policy briefings, sharpen your advocacy skills through hands-on training, network with industry leaders, and celebrate the industry’s accomplishments at the second annual International Cleaning Week Awards Dinner.

Day Two — Take the Industry’s Voice to Capitol Hill

Put your training into action by meeting face-to-face with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for policies that support your business, workforce, and industry.

Why attend?

• Make an impact by advocating directly with your congressional delegation
• Get ahead of policy changes that could affect your cleaning business
• Hear from Washington insiders and policy experts
• Build your advocacy skills through practical, hands-on training and experience
• Connect with industry leaders from across the country
• Celebrate the industry at the ICW Awards Dinner

Register today

Don’t just watch policy happen. Help shape it.

Early-bird registration is now open. Visit issa.com/cas or here to learn more and take advantage of early-bird rates while they last!

NORMI – National Organization of Remediators & Microbial Inspectors

Connect with trained professionals who help create healthier, safer indoor environments. NORMI members bring specialized expertise in mold assessment, remediation, indoor air quality, sanitization, and related services, backed by NORMI training, professional standards, and a commitment to serving their clients with integrity. Learn more

The 2026 Election Is Almost Here—Are You Ready?

What it means: Election Day is less than two months away and the decisions made on November 3 will help shape the future of the cleaning and facility solutions industry.
Why it matters: With every U.S. House seat, 35 Senate seats, and 39 governorships on the ballot, this election will influence the policies that affect your business—from workforce and labor issues to environmental regulations and public health.
What ISSA is doing: Be prepared by visiting the ISSA Election Center, where you can:

• Register to vote
• Verify your voter registration
• Find your polling place
• View your ballot and candidates
• Access other essential voting resources

Every vote matters. Whether you vote early, absentee, or on Election Day, make a plan to cast your ballot and encourage your colleagues, family, and friends to do the same.

And join ISSA VP of Government & Public Affairs John Nothdurft for a free ISSA post-election webinar at 12 pm CT on December 2 to learn what the 2026 election results mean for your business and the cleaning and facility solutions industry. Reserve your spot today

Free Webinar — Implementing a Period Positive Workplace: Why the 21st Century Bathroom Makes Good Business Sense

Join the Period Positive Workplace Coalition, including ISSA, at 9 am CT on September 30 for a free discussion on the practicalities of implementing menstrual-friendly bathrooms at work. Save your seat now

Additional Updates

Legislative

Congress Averts Government Shutdown Ahead of Midterms

Congress eliminated the threat of a government shutdown this fall. The U.S. House of Representatives voted on September 1 to extend federal spending at current levels, with a few exceptions, through December 11, postponing the funding fight until after the midterm elections.

Federal funding was set to run out September 30, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were eager to avoid a prolonged shutdown as voters head to the polls. The legislation passed the House 370-48 with bipartisan support.

The Senate already easily passed the measure, known as a continuing resolution, in August. The White House encouraged lawmakers to support the stopgap, and President Trump signed the relevant legislation on September 2. Learn more (The Hill)

• Recycling bills clear House subcommittee (Recycling Today)

Regulatory

EPA Advances TSCA Review of trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advanced its review of trans-1,2-dichloroethylene under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by releasing its draft risk evaluation for public comment. trans-1,2-Dichlorothylene is used in industrial and commercial settings in cleaning and degreasing, and as a processing aid, as well as in consumer settings as a cleaner or degreaser and as a propellant in foam insulation.

All current protections for trans-1,2-dichloroethylene remain in place while EPA completes this review; releasing a draft risk evaluation does not alter any existing safeguards. After considering public comments and feedback from the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals, EPA will finalize the evaluation.

This risk evaluation is draft and does not represent EPA’s final determination regarding the risks posed by this chemical. Findings and conclusions may change based on feedback received during the public comment period and based on external peer review of the underlying science. EPA is accepting public comments for 60 days on the trans-1,2-dichloroethylene TSCA docket, EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0465, at Regulations.gov. Learn more (EPA)

• EPA releases draft risk evaluation for 1,2-dichloropropane, advances review under TSCA (EPA)
• Canada’s retaliatory tariffs take effect as trade rift with U.S. deepens (CNBC)
• Updates to questions and answers about the new deduction for qualified overtime compensation (IRS)

Judicial & State News

Judge Rules Oregon EPR Law Doesn’t Violate Constitution

A federal judge upheld Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, which created the state’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging program, ruling that the law is not unconstitutional. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Director Leah Feldon was the defendant in a suit challenging the act.

Judge Michael Simon determined that Oregon’s EPR program did not violate either the dormant Commerce Cause or the Due Process Clause of the U.S. Constitution, as alleged by the plaintiff, the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW).

NAW said that it “strongly disagrees” with the ruling. “While we are disappointed with the outcome, we were prepared for it…NAW is reviewing its options for next steps,” the association said. Learn more (Packaging Dive)

ISSA’s EPR compliance resource: ISSA published a white paper for its members summarizing state-by-state EPR laws, including how products are classified, and is currently updating this compliance resource as more states act on the issue. View ISSA’s EPR white paper here.