EPA announces risk evaluation for PVC under the Toxic Substances Control Act
On Dec. 14, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it is beginning the 12-month-long statutory process to prioritize five additional toxic chemicals—including vinyl chloride, which is used to make polyvinyl chloride—for risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act as part of the Biden administration’s Cancer Moonshot mission.
Prioritization is the first step under EPA’s authority to regulate existing chemicals currently on the market and in use to evaluate whether health and environmental protections are needed. If at the end of the risk evaluation process EPA determines a chemical presents an unreasonable risk to health or the environment, the agency must immediately start the risk management process to take action to eliminate these unreasonable risks.
EPA will accept public comments regarding these chemicals until March 18, 2024, at the Regulations page under docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2023-0601.
Earlier this year, NRCA provided comments to ensure a recent petition for EPA to classify PVC as a hazardous waste under another law, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, was tentatively denied. The administration is scheduled to make a final determination regarding this matter in spring 2024. Under this law, EPA stated: “The petition does not present evidence that discarded PVC presents a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when solid waste is improperly treated, stored, transported or disposed of, or otherwise managed.”
Department of Labor announces proposed rule to enhance Registered Apprenticeships
On Dec. 14, the Department of Labor announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, National Apprenticeship System Enhancements, which aims to modernize existing regulations that govern the operation of federal Registered Apprenticeships. According to DOL, the 779-page proposed rule would make numerous changes to Registered Apprenticeship programs, which have not been updated in decades. The major changes include strengthening labor standards; better defining roles for State Apprenticeship Agencies; promoting apprenticeship pathways; creating a new Registered Career and Technical Education Apprenticeship for high school and community college students; and updating accountability measures within the system. There will be a 60-day public comment period beginning on the day the proposed rule is printed in the Federal Register, which is expected soon. NRCA will be reviewing the proposed rule and seeking input from members regarding provisions that may improve the Registered Apprenticeship system or may be of concern. View a press release with links to the full proposed rule, additional information and how to register for a Jan. 11, 2024, public webinar regarding the proposed rule.
House passes the Protect Small Business and Prevent Illicit Financial Activity Act
On Dec. 12, the House passed H.R. 5119, the Protect Small Business and Prevent Illicit Financial Activity Act, which would delay the implementation of the beneficial ownership requirement under the Corporate Transparency Act scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2024. Currently, the Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has provided unclear and vague definitions in the rule, and we believe additional time would be beneficial as the entirety of final regulations are released. NRCA supports these efforts and recently sent a coalition letter to congressional leadership supporting similar legislation. We look forward to the Senate taking up this measure in the new year.
A special thank you for supporting ROOFPAC!
During this giving season, NRCA shares its great appreciation for all who give back to the roofing industry through support for ROOFPAC. By contributing to ROOFPAC, the only political action committee dedicated to the roofing industry in Washington, D.C., you are making a positive difference and helping to secure the future of roofing for generations. We also thank our generous corporate sponsors who partner with us during the year to help underwrite our fundraising activities and events so all proceeds can go directly to members of Congress who support our industry. If you are a current member of one of our exclusive donor clubs, please look for a token of our appreciation in the mail! For more information or if you would like to contribute to help ROOFPAC finish 2023 strong, please visit www.nrca.net/roofpac.
