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ISSA Advocacy Recap—US, China Reaffirm Commitment to Phase 1 Trade Deal
August 28, 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. and China reaffirming their commitment to a Phase 1 trade deal, the FDA providing a test to assess hand sanitizers, companies expected to pay an EPA chemical fee, and more.
US, China Reaffirm Commitment to Phase 1 Trade Deal in Phone Call
Top U.S. and Chinese trade officials have reaffirmed their commitment to a Phase 1 trade deal, which has seen China lagging on that country’s obligations to buy American goods, giving a boost to financial markets. The pledge was made in a telephone call between U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He—their first formal dialogue since early May—amid concern the deal could be on shaky ground because of worsening U.S.-China ties, according to Reuters. ISSA supports a comprehensive trade deal that addresses the unfair trade practices of China, protects intellectual property, eliminates tariffs, and provides a level-playing field from which both the U.S. and China can mutually benefit.
FDA Provides Testing Method to Assess Quality of Hand Sanitizer Products
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is providing a laboratory testing method to assess the quality of finished hand sanitizer products. This testing method can be used to help assure that hand sanitizers contain the correct ingredients and do not contain harmful levels of impurities. The testing method (with appropriate validation) can be used for hand sanitizers labeled with either alcohol (ethanol) or isopropyl alcohol (also called isopropanol or 2-propanol) as the active ingredient and can screen for potentially harmful impurities, as listed in FDA’s temporary guidance.
3M, Boeing among Companies Expected to Pay EPA Chemical Fee
3M Co., S.C. Johnson, and Boeing Co. are among dozens of companies that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expects to pay a combined chemical oversight bill of more than US$25 million, according a list published Wednesday, Bloomberg Law reported. The list updates a preliminary version that the EPA published in January and significantly reduces the number of companies that jointly may have to pay the EPA US$1.35 million per-chemical fee for 20 chemical risk evaluations it will carry out over the next three years. The conclusions the agency reaches about the health and environmental risks those chemicals pose will determine whether the compounds must be regulated.
Other links of interest
No Progress in Stimulus Impasse after Pelosi and Meadows Discuss Coronavirus Relief
Trump Announces $750 Million Deal with Abbott Labs for 150 Million Rapid COVID Tests
Fed Plans to Keep Interest Rates Low, Even If Inflation Rises
Paid Family, Sick Leave Initiative Makes Colorado Ballot
Save Your Seat: A Government Affairs Update on the Cleaning Industry & COVID-19