News

ISSA LARU—Register Now for PFAS and the Cleaning Industry

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 an upcoming ISSA webinar examining per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the cleaning industry, a US$5 million budget allocation for free period products in Ohio schools, EPA’s draft revised risk determination for 1,4-dioxane, and more.

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ISSA Advocacy

Register Now for PFAS and the Cleaning Industry
Register now for ISSA’s webinar on PFAS and the cleaning industry, set for September 27, 12 pm-1:30 pm CT, and learn how laws and regulations targeting PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are impacting the commercial and household cleaning industry. Learn more and register

ISSA Applauds $5 Million Allocation for Free Period Products in Ohio Schools
ISSA applauds the State of Ohio for allocating US$5 million in the state budget for free period products in Ohio schools, grades 6-12, during the 2023-2024 school year. Learn more

EPA Issues Unreasonable Risk Determination for 1,4-Dioxane
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the 2023 Draft Revised Risk Determination for 1,4-Dioxane, which is available for public comment through September 8, in which the agency proposes to determine that 1,4-dioxane, as a whole chemical substance, presents unreasonable risk to human health. The unreasonable risk determination will drive future EPA regulatory proposals restricting the use of 1,4-dioxane in various applications, including its use in commercial dish soaps and dishwasher detergents. Learn more

ISSA Calls for Extension of Section 301 China Tariff Exclusions
In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai, ISSA, as a member of the Americans for Free Trade Coalition, requested that the USTR provide an immediate extension for the China 301 tariff and COVID-19 exclusions, which are set to expire on September 30. The letter stated that “It is critical that USTR announce its plans – ideally a continuation of the existing exclusions – for these exclusions now so that companies can plan accordingly.” Learn more

It’s Not Too Late – Take ISSA’s Advocacy Survey
ISSA wants to know what public-policy issues matter most to you and your cleaning business as part of our biannual advocacy survey. Those who complete the survey will be entered to win a free registration for the 2024 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC! But don’t delay, the deadline to participate is August 31. Learn more and take the survey

A Safer Choice for Back to School
With classes resuming soon, be sure to look for the Safer Choice label to find products that:

• Are a safer choice for schools.
• Are made with safer ingredients for your community.
• Work for you and the planet.
• Work well and contain safer ingredients and fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them better for indoor air quality and your students and workers. Learn more

Regulatory

Biden Issues Alert to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat
President Joe Biden asked the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue a first-ever heat-hazard alert, and OSHA followed through on this request, Cleaning & Maintenance Management reported. As part of the alert, OSHA is providing information for employers on how to protect their workers and be aware of their rights, including protection against retaliation. OSHA also plans to “ramp up enforcement of heat-safety violations, increasing inspections in high-risk industries including construction,” while the administration “continues to develop a national standard for workplace heat-safety rules.” Learn more

U.S. Regulators Cite Amazon Again for Worker Safety
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said that Amazon.com Inc subjected workers at another of its warehouses to hazardous conditions by imposing onerous production quotas and failing to provide proper medical care, according to Reuters. Learn more

Judicial

Appeals Court Allows Biden Asylum Restrictions to Stay in Place
An appeals court allowed a rule restricting asylum at the southern border to stay in place, NBC News reported. The decision represents a win for the Biden administration, which argued that the rule was integral to its efforts to maintain order along the U.S.-Mexico border. Learn more