Tags: Government Relations

Issue Summary: Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022

The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) significantly expands FDA’s rulemaking and enforcement authority over cosmetics and creates substantial new compliance obligations for manufacturers, packers, and distributors of cosmetics intended for sale in the United States.

March 30, 2023

Issue Summary: TSCA Fees Rule

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) including the 2016 Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act (LCSA) amendments grant the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to collect fees from chemical manufacturers and importers to offset up to 25% of the costs associated with the overall implementation and administration of TSCA.

January 20, 2023

SOCMA Statement on EPA Proposed Rule on Risk Management Program (RMP)

SOCMA Vice President, Legal and Government Relations, Robert F. Helminiak released the following statement addressing the significant problems with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule on Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention, also know as the Risk Management Program (RMP). 

August 31, 2022

SOCMA Statement on USTR Court Brief and 301 Exclusions

The Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) Vice President, Legal and Government Relations, Robert F. Helminiak released a statement today explaining that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) does not have an adequate exemption or exclusion process for Section 301 China Tariffs.

August 12, 2022

SOCMA Engages USTR on 301 Tariffs

SOCMA recently submitted a formal letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Katherine Tai, requesting a meeting on the 301 China Tariffs. The purpose of the meeting is not only to urge USTR to reopen the exclusion process for chemicals imported from China, but to educate and inform USTR on the concerns and impacts of the tariffs on the specialty chemicals industry.

February 14, 2022

Supreme Court Ruling Deals Blow to OSHA ETS on Vaccination and Testing

SOCMA Blog: While we are not at the finish line on OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing, the Supreme Court dealt a strong blow against it on Thursday, stating in the decision that the Court believes legal opposition to the ETS is “likely to prevail.”

January 14, 2022

OSHA ETS Alert | Supreme Court Blocks OSHA COVID-19 Vaccine ETS

The Supreme Court reinstituted the stay of OSHA’s COVID–19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). OSHA may not enforce the ETS until and unless there is a decision on the merits of the case from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in favor of OSHA, a decision that will be appealed to the Supreme Court.

January 13, 2022

SOCMA Assists Members with OSHA COVID-19 Vaccine ETS Compliance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published its long-awaited Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to carry out the September 9 Executive Order (EO) requiring companies with 100 or more employees to mandate vaccinations (with health and religious exemptions), or take weekly COVID-19 tests and wear masks.

November 12, 2021

SOCMA Members Testify on Panel for New OSHA Emergency Response Standard

The Small Business Administration (SBA) in conjunction with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will convene a panel to collect stakeholder input on a proposed new health and safety standard for Emergency Response over four days (October 14, 19, 20 and 21). SOCMA members Ascensus Specialties, represented by Matt Manna, and DanChem, represented by Jonathon Draper, and VanDeMark Chemical, Inc., represented by Chris Banach, will each testify before a panel of OSHA and SBA staff to share the unique concerns and perspectives of the specialty chemical industry regarding the proposed new standard.

October 13, 2021

2020 Government Relations Year-End Report

2020 saw SOCMA's Government Relations team continuing its efforts in support of the Specialty & Fine Chemical industry. With the collaboration from members, we were able to advocate for the industry despite not being able to host our Annual Policy Summit & Fly-in.

January 5, 2021