News
ISSA Advocacy Recap—EPA Releases Supplemental Analysis to Draft Risk Evaluation for 1,4-Dioxane
November 20, 2020Welcome to the ISSA Advocacy Recap, our regular roundup of the latest public policy issues impacting the cleaning industry. This week’s recap touches on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) releasing a supplemental analysis to the draft risk evaluation for 1,4-dioxane, Cal/OSHA advancing a slate of workplace safety rules, a temporary stay on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) borrower disclosures, and more. Our ISSA Government Affairs team wishes you a healthy and happy Thanksgiving!
EPA Releases Supplemental Analysis to the Draft Risk Evaluation for 1,4-Dioxane for Public Comment
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requests public input on a supplemental analysis to the draft risk evaluation for 1,4-dioxane. In its analysis, the EPA preliminarily found “no unreasonable risk to consumers from the eight conditions of use assessed,” such as surface cleaners and laundry/dishwashing detergents, where 1,4-dioxane is present as a byproduct. The agency also preliminarily found “no unreasonable risks under any of the conditions of use to the general population from exposure to 1,4-dioxane.” EPA will accept public comments on the supplemental analysis for 20 days. It’s important for the cleaning industry to comment directly to the EPA on this analysis so that the agency benefits from full information in making its regulatory determinations. We also encourage ISSA members to send their comments to ISSA for our consideration in possibly submitting comments to the EPA. ISSA will continue to monitor and update our members on this issue.
California to Issue Emergency COVID-19 Workplace Safety Rules
California is on track to issue emergency rules aimed at curbing workplace spread of COVID-19. A six-member board overseeing the state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA, voted unanimously Thursday to advance a slate of workplace protocols that have been championed by labor advocates since May, the Los Angeles Times reported. By establishing how employers must protect their workers, the new rules would give Cal/OSHA a baseline it could use to hold businesses accountable. Early in the pandemic, the state began issuing detailed COVID workplace safety guidelines for dozens of industries, but Cal/OSHA’s authority to enforce those guidelines is disputed, while its authority to enforce the emergency rules is clear. The new policy could take effect within a few weeks pending a review and comment period. The rules would apply to the employers of most private- and public-sector workers statewide, except those in healthcare who are already covered under a 2009 state law governing infectious airborne illnesses.
SBA Receives Temporary Stay on PPP, EIDL Borrower Disclosures
A federal judge granted the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) a temporary stay, saying that the agency will not have to release the names and loan amounts of all Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program borrowers, according to BankingDive. The five media organizations that sued the SBA for the information have until November 27 to respond to the merits of the agency’s request for a full stay.
Portman: Bipartisan Talks on ‘Targeted’ Coronavirus Relief Bill Underway
U.S. Senator Rob Portman (OH-R) said that he is trying to pull together a bipartisan proposal for a narrow COVID-19 aid bill in the lame-duck session that focuses on areas of common ground, like funding for vaccine relief and development, small businesses, and unemployment insurance, Roll Call reported. Portman added that there is bipartisan support for “some important tax relief that’s out there.” He didn’t elaborate, but provisions lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed support for including tax credits for defraying business expenses for cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment, which ISSA strongly supports.
China Signs Asia Pacific Trade Deal with 14 Nations
China joined forces with more than a dozen countries across the Asia-Pacific region to sign a “huge” free trade deal nearly a decade in the making. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership spans 15 countries and 2.2 billion people, or nearly 30% of the world’s population. Their combined GDP totals roughly US$26 trillion and they account for nearly 28% of global trade based on 2019 data, according to CNN Business.
Other links of interest
- Mnuchin Cuts Fed Lending Power; Emergency Programs Could Be Revived
- FDA Cites Pharmaceutical Plant for Sanitation Violations
- SBA Publishes PPP Loan Necessity Questionnaires
- New Poll Shows Majority of Americans Still Support Protecting Employers from COVID-19 Lawsuits
- Governors Escalate Restrictions before Thanksgiving