This Week in Congress
Congress continues to be in recess while individual members are in their districts running for reelection. Read more... |
Election Day is Coming, Are You Planning to Vote?
With the mid-term elections only weeks away, we hope that you have already made arrangements to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4. This year, Election Day occurs during AAPEX so if you will be attending the show and are planning to vote, please consider voting absentee or, if permissible in your state, voting early. Read more... |
Commerce Finds Dumping and Subsidization of Imports of 134a from China
The U.S. Commerce Department has found that imports of 134a from China were sold in the U.S. at less than fair value (i.e., "dumped") and are subject to countervailable government subsidies. Commerce assigned a final dumping margin of 280.67 percent for all Chinese producers and exporters, and subsidy margins ranging from 1.87 percent to 22.75 percent. Read more... |
New Report Spotlights Millennials’ Long-Term Attitudes toward Cars
The millennials’ transition away from cars, which many have attributed to temporary factors like high gas prices and a struggling economy, has been part of the discussion for some time, especially in the auto care industry. However, a new report suggests that this shift is not temporary. In fact, millennials’ preference for the carless lifestyle is looking like a permanent cultural shift that industry, the government and society need to begin to recognize. Read more... |
Commerce’s Upcoming Discover Global Markets Series in Charlotte to Highlight Export Opportunities in the Americas
The U.S. Commercial Service has organized an unprecedented national series of conferences to help U.S. businesses compete, win and grow in the international marketplace. The Auto Care Association is supporting and helping promote this series, and encourages members looking to penetrate new overseas markets and boost their bottom line through exports, to reserve their place now at an upcoming Discover Global Markets event. Read more... |
West Coast Port Labor Talks Continue to Cause Congestion and Uncertainty
Dragged-out negotiations for a new West Coast longshore contract are adding to congestion and delays at ports and threatening supply chains for holiday-season goods. West Coast dockworkers have remained on the job while the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) have continued contract negotiations. Information on the bargaining has been scarce, except for an August announcement of a deal on health benefits, which were considered perhaps the toughest issue. Read more... |
Safety Agency Seeking Electronic Systems Regulation for Autos
On Oct. 7, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a request for comments from interested stakeholders on how best to develop safety and security regulations for automotive electronic control systems. The effort stems from recent safety investigations attributed to the Toyota accelerator issues, and the growth of electronic systems being used to control major functions of vehicle operations. Read more... |
California Issues Additional Revisions to Prop. 65 Proposed Regulations
The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessments (OEHHA) has issued a second revision to a proposed draft regulation governing Proposition 65 (Prop. 65) that alters product labeling and employee notification standards. The pre-regulatory draft is still in discussion document form, meaning it has not yet entered the formal regulatory approval process. However, OEHHA is still seeking comments and input from stakeholders on the proposed changes. Read more... |
OSHA Seeks Data on Chemical Exposure Limits in the Workplace
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is asking for information from the public to update their current workplace chemical exposure regulations. Specifically, OSHA is seeking technical data on alternative methods for determining Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for the variety of chemicals that it regulates in the workplace. Read more... |
Commerce Postpones Preliminary Determination on Tire Imports from China
On June 3, 2014, the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission received antidumping and countervailing duty petitions filed by the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union on behalf of the domestic industry producing passenger vehicle and light truck tires. Read more... |
Committee Chair Asks IRS for Answers About Complicated ACA Compliance Forms
House Small Business Committee Chair, Sam Graves, R-Mo., sent a letter on Oct. 8 to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner John Koskinen, stating that the new compliance forms for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are “…lengthy, complex and confusing to tax preparers who serve America’s small Businesses.” Read more... |
National Association of Manufacturers Unveils Workforce Toolkit
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has made available a toolkit and step-by-step guide to improve workforce preparedness and capabilities. The effort is the result of a year-long effort by NAM’s Task Force on Competitiveness & the Workforce. Read more... |
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