INTERNATIONAL
Following on from the presentation by Paulo Portas*, who spoke about the EU and global elections, geopolitics and the world economy at the recent ETSA 30th anniversary congress in Prague earlier this month, we heard from Joseph Ricci, President and CEO of the North America Association for Linen, Uniform and Facility Services Industry (TRSA), who projected the view from the USA.
INTERNATIONAL ACCORD: Joe Ricci and Elena Lai catch up on matters in common at the congress
He said: “Unfortunately there has been little policy discussion from either President Biden or former President Trump, creating a sense of uncertainty that is bad for business,” said Joseph Ricci, President & CEO, TRSA.
“The Presidential election will directly impact taxes, labour policy, healthcare, immigration, energy and climate policies and regulation, as well as federal agency enforcement and foreign policy. It will be a difficult decision for the American people as a majority of the country, nearly 70%, would prefer two different candidates and both candidates’ approval ratings are at close to 40%. “
As for TRSA gains for its members, the association’s lobbying has resulted in major strides on two important fronts, reported Ricci. On 11 April, TRSA members convened on Capitol Hill for a series of 118 meetings with congressional offices. Their collective dialogue resonated with policymakers, reinforcing the importance of reusable PPE and federal funding support for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pre-treatment filtration. These discussions took place during the second day of TRSA’s 14th Annual Legislative Conference at The Madison Hotel in Washington, DC.
The collective efforts of TRSA members have already generated momentum. During the 2023 TRSA Legislative Conference, representatives encouraged lawmakers to sign a letter urging the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study the benefits of reusable PPE and explore avenues for increased adoption. Thirteen representatives endorsed the letter, which was dispatched in June.
At this year’s Hill Day, the TRSA contingent asked Congress to support increasing the operating threshold of reusable textile PPE to a minimum of 50% of healthcare facilities’ inventory. Currently, reusables comprise an estimated 10% of the US market. Increasing that figure would improve environmental protection, save money and enhance supply-chain security while helping to safeguard employee and patient safety.
Some types of PFAS – chemicals found in an array of consumer and industrial products – have been linked by researchers and government agencies to adverse health conditions. This has prompted concerns, including federal standards issued on April 10 that targeted their presence in drinking water. These regulatory mandates for calling for the removal of PFAS from wastewater will result in onerous PFAS-discharge limits to sewers nationwide. Fabric manufacturers are finding PFAS substitutes for garments that now use PFAS to provide barrier properties (for example, for use in infection control and fluid resistance,). Depending on how quickly substitutes are developed and put into service, and what types of PFAS are regulated, a typical linen/uniform laundry could have little choice but to invest in the high-six-figure range or more for pre-treatment equipment.
The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) passed last year allocated $10 billion to EPA for removing PFAS and other emerging contaminants. Congress can establish financial incentives, such as tax credits or grants, to help businesses offset the costs associated with implementing wastewater filtration of PFAS. On Hill Day, TRSA asked policymakers to contact EPA to request that they allocate BIL funds to make such incentives available to our industry.
