SOCMA Announces 2013 Legislative Priorities for Specialty Chemical Manufacturers
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates, a trade association representing specialty chemical manufacturers, today announced its top legislative priorities for 2013 and the 113th Congress.
- TSCA Reform – Given that past comprehensive attempts have failed and the congressional dynamics have not changed, SOCMA will share its vision of carefully tailored reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act, possibly achieved in forms of "down payments," lessening the chances of partisan gridlock.
- Regulatory Reform – New studies show that chemical manufacturing output could be reduced 9-10 percent per year on average over the next decade due to government regulations. SOCMA will educate new members of Congress and heads of federal agencies about burdens regulations place on specialty chemical manufacturers. SOCMA has created an educational webpage, www.ReiningInRegulations.com, to further advance the association's recommendations.
- Chemical Site Security – SOCMA continues to support permanent risk-based regulations that comprehensively address security at chemical facilities without mandating product substitution. SOCMA will support extensions of the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards to prevent their expiration, but will also continue to advocate for passage of a stand-alone, long-term reauthorization of DHS's current chemical security regulations.
- Miscellaneous Tariff Bill – Congress failed to pass the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) before it expired last year, and chemical manufacturers are now dealing with what is essentially a tax hike from increased duties on products imported for their manufacturing process. Savings from duty suspensions have allowed the specialty chemical industry to keep their products at globally competitive prices. SOCMA will advocate for the reintroduction and passage of the MTB this Congress.
- FreeTrade Agreements – SOCMA will advocate for a U.S.-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to be initiated this year. The flow of goods between these two continents is one of the U.S.'s largest trade relationships. Data show the U.S. chemical industry stands to benefit the most from a FTA with the EU - more than $1 billion in duties were assessed on U.S. chemical exports last year.
About SOCMA
SOCMA is the only U.S.-based trade association dedicated solely to the specialty chemical industry. To learn more, visit www.SpecialtyManufacturing.org.
Contact:
Jenny Gaines
Assistant Manager, PR & Media
(202) 721-4123
[email protected]
SOURCE Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates
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