Tags: Government Relations

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

FAQ: TSCA Risk Evaluation Fees

The following frequently asked questions address fee requirements for manufacturers and importers identified in preliminary lists as fee-obligated entities for the next 20 high priority chemical substances undergoing Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) risk evaluations by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

April 6, 2020

SOCMA Seeks Member Input on Chinese-origin Medical-Care Products

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced that USTR is requesting public comments by June 25, 2020 on further modifications to remove Section 301 duties from additional Chinese-origin medical-care products, including pharmaceuticals and chemicals to make pharmaceuticals. SOCMA will submit comments to the docket and as such, requests input from members via the SOCMA 301 COVID-19 Data Sheet (page 3) for inclusion in SOCMA 301 COVID-19 Comments.

March 31, 2020

TSCA CBI Substantion

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized its procedural rule for the review of TSCA CBI claims. This guidance document outlines and addresses the substantiation requirements for manufacturers and processors who seek to maintain CBI claims for specific chemical identities listed on the confidential portion of the TSCA Inventory.

March 18, 2020

SOCMA Comments to U.S. EPA: TSCA New Chemical Determinations

SOCMA appreciates the opportunity to submit comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s framework document entitled: “TSCA New Chemical Determinations: A Working Approach for Making Determinations under TSCA Section 5”.

February 18, 2020