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 EPA’s Safer Choice program preparing a national outreach campaign in 2023; the free ISSA webinar, How to Leverage National Cleaning Week; Tom Friedl’s insights regarding ISSA’s 100-year anniversary; and more.

Want to stay informed about critical government affairs impacting the industry? Sign up here to have the ISSA Legislative & Regulatory Update emailed directly to you every other week.

Warmest holiday wishes from your ISSA Government Affairs Team!

ISSA Advocacy

EPA Safer Choice Preparing National Outreach Campaign
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safer Choice program will launch a national outreach campaign in 2023 designed to increase awareness of cleaning and related products certified by the program, as well as those disinfectants certified under the EPA Design for the Environment program. This national outreach campaign will consist of two prongs: one focused on household consumers that will be launched in the spring of 2023, and the other that will expand to include institutional and industrial customers in the fall of 2023.

ISSA Webinar: How to Leverage National Cleaning Week
March 26-April 1, 2023, is National Cleaning Week, a time when the entire cleaning supply chain celebrates the value of clean! How will your business recognize your employees, thank your customers, and demonstrate the value of clean during this week dedicated to the industry? Get ideas and jumpstart your planning for National Cleaning Week by participating in this free ISSA webinar, 12 p.m. to 1 p,m. CT on Wednesday, February 22. Save your seat today!

Tom Friedl with Hospeco Shares Insights on ISSA’s 100 Years
Not only is Tom Friedl the current president and CEO of Hospeco Brands Group, he is also an active and integral member of ISSA, serving as the executive officer on the association’s Board of Directors. ISSA Media Director Jeff Cross sat down with Friedl to discuss his legacy with ISSA on this episode of Straight Talk!. Friedl originally began as a board member of ISSA’s Manufacturer Council. After witnessing the importance of his involvement in the association, he sought out more leadership opportunities, becoming chair of the ISSA Government Affairs Advisory Committee.

Make Plans Now to Attend the 2023 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit
Check out this brief Cleaning Industry Alert video featuring ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft to learn about the 2023 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit, March 28-29 in Arlington, Virginia and Washington, D.C., as part of National Cleaning Week. Save your seat for this premier advocacy event for the cleaning industry!

Help ISSA End Period Poverty
In October 2022, ISSA announced the launch of an educational and advocacy campaign aimed at ending period poverty and advancing period dignity. The new initiative is in partnership with the ISSA Hygieia Network, an ISSA Charities™ signature program dedicated to the advancement and retention of women in the cleaning industry.

Legislative

Biden Signs Short-Term Funding Bill, Averting Government Shutdown
President Biden on Friday signed legislation extending government funding for one week, averting a partial government shutdown, CBS News reported. The U.S. Senate passed the measure, known as a continuing resolution, Thursday night, and a similar measure passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier last week. The short-term funding bill will now fund government operations through December 23, giving Congress additional time to finish crafting a massive, longer-term spending package.

Regulatory

Consider VOCs When Choosing Surface Coatings
From paint to floor coatings, understanding volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is an important part of selecting products for your facility. VOCs are a group of organic chemical compounds that can evaporate under normal temperatures and pressures and affect indoor air quality. The federal government has placed many regulations on the amount of VOCs a facility can emit. The term “VOC-compliant” refers to substances that meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards. Building owners and facility managers who violate the EPA’s VOC regulations could pay a hefty fine, according to this Cleaning & Maintenance Management article.

Top Regulatory Issues for Businesses in 2023
Paychex, Inc. released a list of the regulatory issues that employers should monitor in the new year. The company’s list, compiled annually, outlines the most prominent compliance-related topics employers will need to contend with in 2023 and explores the legislative and regulatory context surrounding these issues.

Education Department Weighs in on Whether Period Products Should Be Part of Title IX
The U.S. Department of Education said that it will consider whether access to period products should be mandated under Title IX, the federal law that bans sex discrimination in schools, USA Today reported. Through its End Period Poverty campaign, ISSA is advocating for public policies that will increase access to menstrual care products and disposal solutions in away-from-home venues.

CDC Guidance for Temporary Workers
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidance for employers that hire temporary workers. The guidance addresses workplace health and safety, training for both workers and supervisors, and information on reporting injuries and illnesses. The document is designed to build on regulations put forth by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and offers a checklist and slide deck to outline best practices.

Federal Maritime Commission to Examine Shippers’ Concerns
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission is preparing to investigate more than 175 shipper complaints lodged against ocean carriers under the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022, which was signed into law earlier this year, according to Supply Chain Dive. ISSA strongly supported this legislation.

State and Other News

Call for Comment: Green Seal’s Draft Standard for Trash Bags, Can Liners
Green Seal is now accepting public comments about a draft certification standard to recognize trash bags and can liners that use less virgin plastic while maintaining top performance.

Guide to EPR Proposals
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach that assigns producers responsibility for the end-of-life of products. This can include both financial responsibility and operational responsibility, though the amount and type may differ. Producers are required to provide funding and/or services that assist in managing covered products after the use phase. The purpose of this Sustainable Packaging Coalition guide is to help organizations identify the differences between various EPR public policy proposals while also developing a deeper understanding of the components of EPR policy.