Biden Administration Releases Unified Regulatory Agenda

On January 4th the Office of Management and Budget released the 2022 Unified Regulatory Agenda and Regulatory Plan, which outlines regulatory actions Federal agencies are considering in the coming months to help implement the Biden-Harris Administration’s agenda. The Biden-Harris Administration will give executive agencies more regulatory action to tackle climate change, improve public health, reduce gun violence, advance equity, and address other administration priorities. In the year ahead, agencies will use their regulatory authorities to implement this unified agenda. The regulatory plans and agendas submitted by agencies offer a window into how the Administration plans to continue delivering on the President’s agenda. Agencies will also be continuing their work to implement legislation passed in 2022, including the implementation of the PACT Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act, as well as ongoing efforts to implement the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Some key regulations included in the Unified Agenda that could impact the cold chain industry include:

• Risk Management Program – Environmental Protection Agency
• AIM Act Implementation (HFC phase down) – Environmental Protection Agency
• Process Safety Management – Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Tracking Workplace Injuries and Illnesses – Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Overtime policies – Department of Labor
• Joint Employer policies – National Labor Relations Board

GCCA will continue to track the Administration’s regulatory activities and engage with agencies to protect the cold chain industry.