News

ISSA LARU—Ocean Shipping Reform Act Signed into Law

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 signing into law of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, the launch of the ISSA Advocacy Fund Annual Campaign, reinstatement of the Superfund Excise Tax, and more.

Want to stay informed about critical government affairs impacting the industry? Sign up here to have the ISSA Legislative & Regulatory Update emailed to you every other week!

And be sure to check out the latest installment of our video series, Cleaning Is Essential, with ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft, to learn more about the top three advocacy issues impacting the cleaning industry right now.

ISSA Advocacy

ISSA Praises Passage of Ocean Shipping Reform Act
On June 16, U.S. President Joe Biden signed into law the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, the first major update to ocean shipping law since 1998. The bipartisan legislation will help address some supply chain problems and exporter complaints. In part, the legislation will stop ocean carriers from unreasonably refusing space on ships and help address high “detention and demurrage” charges, which have become increasingly problematic. ISSA strongly supported this bill and was an active participant in a coalition of U.S. importers, exporters, transportation providers, and other supply chain stakeholders advocating for its passage over the last two years.

ISSA Advocacy Fund Launches Annual Campaign
The ISSA Advocacy Fund (IAF) launched its second annual fundraising campaign in conjunction with our nation’s celebration of Independence Day. As the only trade association representing the entire cleaning supply chain, we intend to use the IAF to build on our important advocacy work on behalf of the cleaning industry. Contributions in any amount are welcome; benefits start at US$50. For a limited time and while supplies last, those who contribute $50 or more to the IAF will receive an exclusive “I’m An Advocate For Clean” button/magnet to proudly wear and display.

Reinstated Superfund Excise Tax Imposed on Certain Chemical Substances
Manufacturers and distributors of cleaning products may soon see surcharges related to the Superfund Excise Tax on invoices in the not-too-distant future. On November 15, 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which among other things reinstated the Superfund Excise Taxes on certain chemicals and taxable substances effective July 1, 2022. In addition to the reinstatement of the taxes, the IIJA doubled the prior rate of tax on the 42 listed chemicals. This change effectively doubled the tax rate on imported taxable substances as well, and the IIJA further increased the alternative method of calculation of the taxable substances to 10% the value of the import.

Disinfectant Devices: A Regulatory Perspective
Register now for the ISSA webinar Disinfectant Devices: A Regulatory Perspective, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday, July 27, to learn about the regulation of antimicrobial pesticide devices, including:

• The proliferation of antimicrobial pesticide devices, such as certain UV light systems, water filters, and air filters, in the marketplace
• Disinfectant or antimicrobial pesticide devices defined
• The “quasi-regulation” of disinfectant devices by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• EPA resources and guidance
• Challenges in substantiating efficacy claims
• The future regulatory direction from EPA

ISSA General Counsel Bill Balek, who has over 35 years of experience in the cleaning product regulations field, will lead this July 27 webinar.

A Clean View from Capitol Hill: Your Legislative & Regulatory Update
Save your seat for the free ISSA webinar A Clean View from Capitol Hill: Your Legislative & Regulatory Update, 12 pm to 1 pm CT on Wednesday, August 17. Now more than ever, government affairs affect your business and the cleaning industry. As the spotlight on our industry increases, so too has the interest of policymakers and regulators. Join us for the “inside scoop” about what is going on in Washington, DC and in the states on the top issues facing the industry, such as labor shortages, supply chain challenges, healthy workplace incentives, chemical regulations, and more. Speakers for this webinar include ISSA Government Affairs Director John Nothdurft.

Regulatory

EPA Issues Warnings on Forever Chemicals in Drinking Water
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released new warnings about the synthetic pollutants known as “forever chemicals”— per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—even at extremely low levels in drinking water, Cleaning & Maintenance Management reported.

House Appropriators Release Bill to Bolster EPA
House appropriators proposed sizable increases for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Interior Department in a US$44.8 billion spending bill as Democrats aim to bolster President Joe Biden’s agenda. EPA would receive $11.5 billion for fiscal 2023 under the legislation, roughly a 21% increase or $2 billion more over the agency’s current funding of $9.5 billion. Despite the sizable boost, the legislation is less ambitious than President Biden’s budget for EPA, which would give the agency nearly $11.9 billion, according to administration documents and as reported by E&E News.

NLRB Considers Changes to Trump-Era Union Election Rules
The U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) said that it will soon propose changes to Trump-era rules that were designed to slow down the union election process and have been heavily criticized by unions. In a new regulatory agenda, which outlines forthcoming rulemaking priorities, the NRLB said that it could propose new election procedures as soon as September, according to Reuters. The NLRB also said that it could propose a highly anticipated rule as soon as next month on companies’ liability for labor law violations by their contractors and franchisees. The board had said in December 2021 that it was considering a new rule on so-called “joint employment.”

State News

COVID-19 Presumptions ‘Lose Steam’ among Lawmakers
Despite the push for COVID-19 workers’ compensation presumptions in the early stages of the pandemic, fewer than half of the 18 states that enacted legislation or saw executive orders still have the provisions in place, according to a report by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, Business Insurance reported. Seven states still had a COVID-19 or infectious disease presumption in effect as of June 1, according to the report, which noted that 12 presumptions have expired, and three others are slated to expire in 2023.