Weekly Advocacy Recap-October 14, 2019

October 14, 2019

Welcome to the ISSA Advocacy Weekly Recap! This is ISSA’s regular roundup of the latest public policy-related issues impacting the cleaning industry.

Decision to End Most Animal Testing a Win For Taxpayers

In September, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced a decision to end most animal testing by 2035. An opinion piece in the Tennessean argues, “On top of the science, the potential taxpayer savings from switching to alternatives to outdated animal tests are enormous. For instance, a 2016 study by the American Cleaning Institute—which represents the US$30 billion cleaning products industry—reported savings of $70 million and 150,000 animals by avoiding animal tests in the evaluation of just 261 chemicals.”

China Tariffs Have Cost U.S. Businesses $34 Billion

Tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump have cost U.S. corporations US$34 billion according to new data compiled by Tariffs Hurt the Heartland, a coalition of businesses and trade groups, which includes ISSA. On October 15, the tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods are scheduled to increase from 25% to 30%.

EPA Seeks Comments on Hospital Disinfectant Strategy

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued its revised draft strategy for testing the effectiveness of hospital disinfectants after they have been sold into the marketplace. The draft strategy provides a framework to ensure that registered hospital-level disinfectants and tuberculocide products continue to meet EPA efficacy standards after they are out in the marketplace. Your comments to the EPA on this strategy are highly encouraged.