NASF Public Policy Update – June 2021

The National Association for Surface Finishing has released its Public Policy Update for June 2021. Some of the highlights in the update are summarized below. You can access the June 2021 Public Policy Update here.

OSHA Issues Limited COVID Emergency Temporary Workplace Standard (ETS) — OSHA released its COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for the nation’s workplaces. While the ETS currently applies solely to the health-care industry, OSHA also issued updated guidance in alignment with CDC’s framework for COVID applicable to general.

Proposed Legislation to Regulate PFAS under Clean Water Act – Names Surface Finishing
Congress has proposed legislation to require EPA to regulate PFAS discharges under the Clean Water Act from nine industry sectors, including electroplating and metal finishing. The measure would also require water quality criteria to be finalized by a date certain.

NASF Submits Comments to Minimize Small Business Impact of EPA Rule for the Use of N-Propyl Bromide — NASF participated in a meeting of the Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel to discuss EPA’s potential proposed rulemaking to impose restriction on the use of n-propyl bromide (1-Bromopropane) under TSCA §6(a). As part of this process, NASF submitted comments on EPA’s approach that is under considerations.

California Rule to Transition Hexavalent Chromium Processes to Trivalent Chromium — The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has issued its draft proposed regulatory language to transition hexavalent chromium plating to trivalent chromium. NASF, its members and expert industry representatives have voiced multiple concerns with the rule.

White House Goal Doubles the Number of OSHA Inspectors — President Biden plans to double OSHA’s inspection force by 2024. This effort is driven by frustration with OSHA’s inability to respond to an overwhelming number of worker complaints during the pandemic.

EPA Announces It Will Make Changes to Trump’s Rollback of Obama’s Clean Water Act Rule Defining which “Waters of the U.S.” Are Subject to Regulation — EPA chief Michael Regan announced the agency would embark on a major effort to overturn the Trump administration’s “Waters of the U.S.” rulemaking.

EPA Rescinds Trump Administration Clean Air Act Benefit-Cost Rule — EPA will rescind the Trump Administration Benefit-Cost Rule, entitled “Increasing Consistency and Transparency in Considering Benefits and Costs in the Clean Air Act Rulemaking Process.”