Last Updated April 16, 2020

Summary of Legislative and Regulatory Issues Related to COVID-19

This chart is a quick reference guide to the legislative and regulatory issues SOCMA is tackling in relation to COVID-19. It provides brief descriptions of the policies, as well as a brief statement on the current status including SOCMA’s role in lobbying and improving the government policies for SOCMA members.

Type of Issue Issue Description Current Standing SOCMA Action
Reporting Lobbying
Enforcement OSHA Inspections and Reporting Rescheduling of inspections and enforcement discretion on violations/paperwork filing Enforcement discretion is in place ✔ ✔
EPA Inspections and Reporting Rescheduling of inspections and enforcement discretion on violations/paperwork filing Enforcement discretion is in place ✔ ✔
DHS Inspections and Reporting Rescheduling of inspections and enforcement discretion on violations/paperwork filing Enforcement discretion is in place ✔ ✔
Financial SBA Loans Loans for small biz struggling due to COVID-19 SBA has suspended applications due to lack of funding ✔  
Healthcare Products Hand Sanitizer FDA regs should be broadened beyond the WHO formula Requested update and broadened permissible formula for hand sanitizer ✔ ✔
Operations Energy and Commerce Delivering information to E&C on temporary and long term modifications and elimination of EPA regs Briefing complete, follow-up briefing material delivered   ✔
Employee Sick Time Small biz is required to give two weeks of paid leave Legislation is passed and guidance has been delivered by DOL ✔  
“Essential” Employees Update DHS guidance to include SOCMA and affiliate organization input.  Working with DHS to update guidance ✔ ✔
FEMA – Guidance FEMA believes that employees should be permitted to wear voluntary PPE in facilities Working with DOL to update guidance to explain facilities are only required to provide PPE through OSHA regs ✔ ✔
New Leg Additional stimulus legislation Legislation is in very early state – this will take significant work and compromise to evolve into a passable piece of legislation ✔  
PPE PPE Supplies PPE being collected, redirected etc. by the federal government FEMA can stop shipments of PPE for sale out of the country ✔  
State State Non-Essential Business Closures Fear that state non-essential business closures will restrict operations Effectively all states have taken action and adopted SOCMA supported DHS guidance ✔  
State Travel Restrictions Fear that state travel restrictions will prevent deliveries Only a handful of states have taken action – working with DHS and DOL to update guidance to states ✔ ✔
Supply Chain SOCMA 301 COVID-19 Comments USTR is seeking input on products that should have China tariffs temporarily removed Working with SOCMA members to develop comments to USTR for specific product exclusions ✔ ✔

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