Categories for Policy


OSHA Enforcement Discretion Policy for COVID-19 Pandemic

OSHA has issued a new memorandum on Discretion in Enforcement when Considering an Employer’s Good Faith Efforts During the COVID-19 Pandemic, which applies broadly to all industry sectors and will take effect immediately and remain in effect until further notice.

April 17, 2020


FAQ: TSCA Risk Evaluation Fees

The following frequently asked questions address fee requirements for manufacturers and importers identified in preliminary lists as fee-obligated entities for the next 20 high priority chemical substances undergoing Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) risk evaluations by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

April 6, 2020

OSHA Issues Guidance for COVID-19 Respirator Shortage

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued new Enforcement Guidance for Respiratory Protection and the N95 Shortage Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID19) Pandemic. This memorandum is applicable to all industries and provides interim guidance to Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) for enforcing the Respiratory Protection standard, 29 CFR § 1910.134, and certain other health standards, with regard to supply shortages of disposable N95 filtering facepiece respirators.

April 3, 2020

SOCMA Seeks Member Input on Chinese-origin Medical-Care Products

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced that USTR is requesting public comments by June 25, 2020 on further modifications to remove Section 301 duties from additional Chinese-origin medical-care products, including pharmaceuticals and chemicals to make pharmaceuticals. SOCMA will submit comments to the docket and as such, requests input from members via the SOCMA 301 COVID-19 Data Sheet (page 3) for inclusion in SOCMA 301 COVID-19 Comments.

March 31, 2020


OSHA Regulations and COVID-19

The following guidance addresses OSHA health and safety regulatory requirements related to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

March 24, 2020


TSCA CBI Substantion

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized its procedural rule for the review of TSCA CBI claims. This guidance document outlines and addresses the substantiation requirements for manufacturers and processors who seek to maintain CBI claims for specific chemical identities listed on the confidential portion of the TSCA Inventory.

March 18, 2020

SOCMA Comments to U.S. EPA: TSCA New Chemical Determinations

SOCMA appreciates the opportunity to submit comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s framework document entitled: “TSCA New Chemical Determinations: A Working Approach for Making Determinations under TSCA Section 5”.

February 18, 2020