ACD Press Release

ACD Outlines Burdensome Regulations at EPA, DOL, DHS, Encourages Review Under New Executive Order

Arlington, VA – Today, the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) sent letters to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to spotlight regulations that meet the criteria for reconsideration under the administration’s recent deregulatory initiative executive order (EO).

Under President Trump’s EO 14219, “Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Deregulatory Initiative,” agencies are required to identify regulatory proposals that meet certain criteria, which includes those that impose significant costs upon private parties, harm national interest by impeding technological innovation, and impose undue burdens on small businesses.

In the letter to the EPA, ACD President and CEO Eric R. Byer highlighted five overly burdensome regulations that meet the above criteria including the:

• Risk Management Program Final Rule
• Clean Water Act Hazardous Substances Facility Response Plan Final Rule
• Toxic Substances Control Act Risk Evaluation Framework
• Used Drum Management and Reconditioning
• Heavy Duty Truck Regulations

“Each of the above regulations will put an incredible cumulative burden on chemical distributors, reducing output by over $2.16 billion and removing 6,722 jobs from the chemical distribution industry alone,” said Byer in the letter to the EPA.

Byer also outlined five regulations at the DOL that meet the criteria set out in the EO, which have placed significant administrative burdens on ACD members, including the:

• Hazard Communication Standard
• Worker Walkaround Designation Process
• Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings
• Emergency Response Standard
• Independent Contractor Rule

“While worker safety and economic well-being are paramount, these proposals do little to benefit workers and place immense burdens on employers,” said Byer in the letter to DOL. “Instead, these proposals do more to hurt workers as they are causing businesses to struggle and lay off employees.”

In ACD’s letter to the DHS, Byer called for efficiency and harmonization of cybersecurity reporting regulations.

“A cyber incident that impacts a critical infrastructure entity has not only financial implications, but also national security, environmental, public health, and supply chain implications,” said Byer. “Ensuring the U.S. has robust, efficient, and harmonized cybersecurity regulations, reporting requirements, and government response is essential to protecting every facet of American society.”

To read the full letters to each agency, click here.

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The Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) partners with our more than 400 chemical distribution industry members to provide the education, connection, standards, and advocacy they need to responsibly move the essential products our world depends on. As leaders in the $27B+ chemical distribution industry, ACD member companies commit to the highest standards in quality, safety, sustainability, and performance through ACD Responsible Distribution^TM. For more information, visit www.acd-chem.com.