Previous Posts
- More Regulation from Washington Not Always the Only Answer to Industrial Accidents
- South Korea Adopts K-REACH Despite Heavy Opposition
- Magnablend Supports Earth Day by Helping Keep Roadways Clean
- SOCMA Sets Record Straight on Misleading NY Times Articles on Chemicals
- Why I am Attending the Washington Fly-In – Again
- Economic Crisis Survivors May be Asking Themselves, “Now What?”
- Clean Air Act Overdue for Reform?
- Could Sequestration Derail Generic Drug User Fee Program?
- EPA Issues Regulatory Agenda - What's Yours?
- President Obama’s ‘Fate of the Union’ Address
- New #TSCA reform legislation, while historic in scope & interest for bipartisanship, has uncertain road ahead. http://t.co/hRnFTjIAJp
today at 9:46 AM - Did you know compliance w/ environmental regulations like #TSCA costs 364% more for small companies? Learn more at http://t.co/GlJ2quhyCh
today at 9:43 AM - Got a question about specialty mfg or want to know more about the industry? Check out Ask the Expert on http://t.co/Eaz00dy59M
today at 9:41 AM
Latest Articles
McCarthy Nomination Advances; If Confirmed, What Should Her Priorities Be?
Posted: 05/15/13 at 4:57 PMBy Dan Moss, Senior Manager, Government Relations
Thursday afternoon, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved Gina McCarthy’s nomination to head the .jpg)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on a party-line 10-8 vote, and her nomination now advances to the Senate floor. McCarthy's nomination still faces a “hold” by Senator Roy Blunt over an unrelated issue with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – a hold allows any given Senator to block a nomination indefinitely until he or she chooses to lift the hold. Assuming Blunt does lift the hold relatively soon, Senator Tom Barasso (R-WY) has also indicated that he may place a hold on her nomination. Despite these possible obstacles, we expect McCarthy will be confirmed by the full Senate in the relatively near future.
Republican objections are directed much less at McCarthy personally than they are towar...
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More Regulation from Washington Not Always the Only Answer to Industrial Accidents
Posted: 05/06/13 at 8:43 AMBy Bill Allmond, Vice President of Government and Public Relations
The response from Washington following the tragic accident at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas, last month has been predictable: blame industry and impose more government regulations. While accident investigations will likely show the company was responsible for the accident, and some government action will be necessary, should forthcoming remedies be directed only at industry?
The root cause and pending actions are still unclear, and a good rule of thumb in these cases is to avoid speculation until investigators do their jobs. Several factors, however, do seem clear and are worth noting at this early stage.
First, there wasn’t an absence of federal regulations covering the type of activity and products on-site at the facility. Was there an absence of compliance, a lack of enforcement, or both? Getting answers to these questions is essential before passing new laws, as some members of Congress have called for. Congress can legislate and agencies can promulgate, but regulations are only as good as they are followed and enforced. Simply adding another layer of federal regulation doesn’t necessarily ensure...
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South Korea Adopts K-REACH Despite Heavy Opposition
Posted: 05/02/13 at 4:14 PMBy Justine Freisleben, Government Relations Manager
In a major setback for U.S. chemical manufacturers, Korea REACH legislation passed the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and National Assembly this week. SOCMA is currently working on getting an English translation of the bill that passed the National Assembly to understand all of the changes that have been made since the Ministry of Environment’s (MOE) version. Significantly, the legislation is stronger than the MOE version. SOCMA is also turning its attention to making enforcement regulations achievable for its members. The American Chamber of Commerce Chemical Committee in Korea will be meeting with the Director of the MOE on May 15 and may have some information to share on enforcement, as well as how SOCMA may be able to provide input on implementing guidelines.
Earlier this week, SOCMA pulled together some last minute comments to submit to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee for their consideration. However, the legislation passed despite opposition from the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Trade and Industry, the chemical industry and broader industry groups in Korea.
As we await the English translation of the legislation, we understand that lawmakers have approve...
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Industry News
- After 37 years, U.S. chemical-safety laws may finally get an overhaul
- Manufacturers outline priorities for a US-EU free-trade deal
- Senate committee approves Obama's nomination of Gina McCarthy to head EPA
- Chemical industry could help boost local economy
SOCMA News
- SBA Seeking SOCMA Members' Input on TSCA Reform
- EPA Publishes Significant New Use Rules on 15 Substances
- 2013 Performance Improvement Awards Application Coming Soon
- Members Advocate for Competitiveness, Mkt. Expansion during Fly-In
SOCMA Events
- 2013 EHS&S Regulatory Webinar Series hosted by ChemAlliance.org
Last Thursday of Every Month - SOCMA Peer Group Events
Members Only - Navigating the News and Social Media during an Incident or Crisis Webinar
June 19, 2013 - Chemical Sector Security Expo
July 9 - 11, 2013 - Chemical Industry Golf Tournament
September 24, 2013 - SOCMA's 92nd Annual Dinner
December 9, 2013
Related Links
Government Blogs
- Evolution of Security (TSA)
- Fast Lane (DOT)
- GovGab (GSA)
- Greenversations (EPA)
- Leadership Journal (DHS)
- NIOSH Science Blog (CDC)