Advocating for Specialties

SOCMA was founded on the principle of supporting the specialty chemical industry on international trade policy and strongly supports the development of free trade agreements to allow U.S. specialty chemical manufacturers fair access to foreign markets. SOCMA also works to ensure that tariffs are properly applied to products that are manufactured and available for purchase in the US. Finally, SOCMA works to eliminate non-tariff barriers to trade.

SOCMA works on many legislative and regulatory issues related to strengthening U.S. competitiveness, including:

• Section 301 Tariff Exclusions
• Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB)
• Supply Chain/Logistics
• Free Trade Agreements

The health and safety of employees is paramount to the chemical industry. SOCMA supports a consistent regulatory system to guide the industry with reasonable, responsible regulations that have a direct correlation to worker health and safety while avoiding overreach or conflicting regulations. SOCMA urges all manufacturers to continuously improve employee safety measures and the security of facilities.

SOCMA works on many legislative and regulatory issues related to worker health and safety, including:

• OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard
• OSHA Hazardous Communications Standard
• OSHA Emergency Response Standard

SOCMA supports a risk-based regulatory structure that allows manufacturers to innovate in a safe and swift fashion. Regulations on bringing new chemicals to market must take into account the highly advanced nature of the specialty chemical industry, and the distinctiveness of the batch manufacturing process, while protecting health and mitigating environmental impacts. SOCMA also supports the responsible manufacture and use of existing chemicals.

SOCMA works on many legislative and regulatory issues related to chemical regulation, including:

• TSCA New Chemicals Program
• TSCA Fees Rule
• Risk Management Program Rulemaking
• RCRA MPU Exclusion
• Superfund Taxes
• Refrigerant Rule
• PFAS Policy Activity
• Methylene Chloride Risk Management Rule
• Environmental Justice
• Confidential Business Information
• CMAS Rulemaking Petition
• CERCLA 108(b) Rule
• “Once In, Always In” Rule

SOCMA supports non-prescriptive regulations designed to protect facilities from diversion, attack, and other intentional harms without impairing the industry’s ability to remain competitive and innovative. SOCMA encourages proactive cyber and physical security measures to further protect chemical facilities.

• DHS Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
• Facility Cybersecurity