Welcome to the latest ISSA Legislative & Regulatory Update, a biweekly roundup of the public policy issues currently impacting the full cleaning supply chain. This update touches on the 14th Antimicrobial Workshop, a free PRIA 5 workshop, the most recent ISSA Period Project Update, and more.

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ISSA Advocacy

Cleaning Industry Converges on Capitol Hill, Meets with Congressional Offices
As part of National Cleaning Week, March 26-April 1, more than 75 cleaning industry leaders gathered in Washington, DC to participate in the 2023 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit, the premier Capitol Hill fly-in event for the cleaning industry. On March 29, these advocates met with more than 80 congressional offices in support of tariff relief, ending period poverty, and an expansion of the workforce by calling for the creation of a new temporary visa program. Learn more 

Amplify the voice of your cleaning industry colleagues, who met with congressional offices in Washington, DC for the 2023 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit, by taking a moment to contact your federal elected officials on labor and tariff issues.

ISSA Honors 2023 Advocates of the Year
ISSA proudly announced the recipients of the third annual ISSA Advocate of the Year Awards. The awards were presented at the association’s 2023 Clean Advocacy Summit, which took place in Washington, DC as part of National Cleaning Week. The award recipients were selected by ISSA with input from its Government Affairs Advisory Committee. Learn more

House of Representatives, 18 States Proclaim Cleaning Week
The U.S. House of Representatives, 18 states, and multiple municipalities across the country proclaimed March 26-April 1 National Cleaning Week, which celebrates the value of clean and the important, positive impact that cleaning has on public health, the environment, and our economy. Learn more

New Mexico Public Schools to Provide Free Menstrual Products
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill last week that will make free menstrual products available in every public school, according to the NM Political Report. ISSA supports the movement to make menstrual products available free of charge in public restrooms. Learn more

Cleaning Is Essential – A New ISSA Podcast
On Cleaning Is Essential, a new podcast brought to you by ISSA, you’ll receive insightful news and engaging conversations with business and political leaders about the top issues impacting the cleaning industry. Join your host, John Nothdurft, ISSA’s Director of Government Affairs, as we dive into conversations about the industry, emerging trends, innovations, legislation, regulations, and personal interest stories. Tune in regularly to find out what’s happening as we change the way the world views cleaning. Learn more

Register Now – 14th Antimicrobial Workshop
Register now for the 14th Antimicrobial Workshop, June 7-8 at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel in Arlington, VA! The Antimicrobial Workshop is the single event where you can learn from credible sources about the latest policy changes, regulatory developments, and legislative updates that directly impact the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of disinfectants, sanitizers, preservatives, and other antimicrobial pesticides. Learn more

You’re Invited – PRIA 5 Workshop
Please join the PRIA Coalition and officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) for a free, interactive workshop on April 19 to discuss key implementation issues for the recently enacted Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022 (PRIA 5). In addition to providing additional funding and resources for OPP, PRIA 5 includes numerous policy changes and process improvements related to renegotiation rates, registrant submissions not covered by a PRIA code, employee training, and bilingual labeling. Learn what has changed from PRIA 4 to PRIA 5 and hear about some of the law’s new provisions, implementation deadlines, and plans for implementation. In-person and virtual meeting options are available. Learn more

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Launches Training, Certification Program for Incarcerated Individuals
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office launched a new training and certification program for individuals incarcerated within the county. Incarcerated individuals now have the opportunity to be certified as experts on cleaning for health by the Cleaning Management Institute, a division of ISSA. Learn more

Legislative

Senate Debates Plastics Production, Recycling in US Economy
The impact of plastics on the environment was front-and-center at a recent U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing, where lawmakers debated the future of plastics production and recycling, Waste Dive reported. A panel of scientists testified during a Senate meeting of the Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight. It was the first in a series of six meetings that Senator Jeff Merkley (OR-D) said are “necessary to get lawmakers on the same page about how to handle urgent plastic pollution issues affecting air, water, and human health.” Learn more

Regulatory

New Cosmetics Regulations to Reshape Industry’s Relationship with FDA
The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) went into effect with U.S. President Joe Biden’s signing of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. This legislation will “profoundly change the way cosmetic companies interact with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA),” The National Law Review reported. MoCRA will affect producers of cosmetic products, which includes body washes that make cosmetic claims such as “pleasant smelling,” “moisturizes,” etc. The FDA is expected to initiate rulemaking soon that will provide greater specificity around the obligations created under this new law. Learn more

FMC: Ocean Carriers Should Prove Their Charges Comply with OSRA
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission is requesting details from 11 ocean carriers and marine terminal operators proving that their detention and demurrage surcharges comply with the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA), according to Supplychain Dive. Learn more

CDC Issues Warning on Antimicrobial-Resistant Fungus
A press release by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that the fungus known as Candida auris (C. auris), an emerging fungus considered an urgent antimicrobial resistance threat, spread at an alarming rate in U.S. health care facilities in 2020-2021, Cleaning & Maintenance Management reported. Learn more

State News

4-Day Workweek Gains Momentum in Some States
In the past three years, at least six states, including California, Hawaii, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, have considered bills to mandate, incentivize, or allow the switch to a four-day week, The Pew Charitable Trusts reported. Last month, U.S. Representative Mark Takano (CA-D) also introduced a federal bill that would cap the week at 32 hours for hourly workers, requiring businesses to pay overtime above that threshold. Learn more

New Minimum Wage Battle
An intraparty fight has broken out in New York over the state’s minimum wage laws and how to get more money for the lowest-paid workers without hurting businesses, portending similar skirmishes across the country in the coming years, according to Politico. The debate is rekindling divisions among Democrats in Albany, pitting liberal lawmakers against their more centrist colleagues and highlighting fissures that have emerged in Democratic strongholds elsewhere, particularly in areas with some of the country’s highest costs of living. Learn more

Michigan Repeals Right-to-Work Law
Michigan became the first state in decades to repeal a union-restricting law known as “right-to-work” that was passed over a decade ago by a Republican-controlled legislature, AP reported. Learn more