ARLINGTON, VA – Members of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) went to Capitol Hill on May 17 to encourage Congress to reform the regulatory process and provide chemical distributors and other U.S. businesses the regulatory certainty needed to continue as economic engines and job creators. They also highlighted a glitch in the 2016 appropriations bill that could revert the 34-hour restart provision for truckers to rules used more than a decade ago, significantly impacting U.S. commerce.

“NACD members represent businesses of all sizes in all 50 states delivering the chemicals that are the building blocks of our modern world, generating roughly $30 billion in economic output,” said NACD President Eric R. Byer. “The opportunity for our member companies to personally discuss the issues that impact them with their members of Congress is essential.”

During the 2016 Washington Fly-In, more than 90 members met with numerous congressional offices as well as with officials from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and the Office of U.S. Trade Representatives. Attendees also encouraged more members of the U.S. House of Representatives to join the Congressional Chemistry Caucus recently established by Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL).

This year, NACD celebrates the 25^th anniversary of Responsible Distribution, a mandatory, third-party-verified program that establishes a proven framework for the health, safety, environment and security aspects of chemical distribution. As the association celebrates this important milestone, member companies will also convey to their lawmakers the positive impact this program has made over the last quarter-century to keep their employees and surrounding communities safe.