The Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD), formerly the National Association of Chemical Distributors, President and CEO Eric R. Byer released the following statement on ACD’s 2024 legislative and regulatory priorities:

“As we enter a new year, ACD welcomes the start of second session of the 118^th Congress. This will be a pivotal year for the continued growth of the chemical distribution industry and the security of our supply chain. Chemical distribution requires deep expertise to ensure the safe, efficient, and responsible delivery of chemicals that are essential to our daily lives; and the industry relies on policy to ensure its security, effectiveness, and competitiveness in the 21^st century global economy.

“For months, ACD has been calling for the immediate reauthorization of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS), which expired last summer after one member of Congress blocked the critical reauthorization of the program. The CFATS program upholds key security measures that are critical to the safety of chemical facilities and their surrounding communities. The longer we delay this reauthorization, the greater the risks. 

“Some of ACD’s other policy priorities include the full, retroactive renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) and the implementation of greater freight rail safety and competition, including the Railway Safety Act and actions to promote an effective Surface Transportation Board. ACD also supports measures to relieve some of the financial burden placed on small- and mid-size businesses, including a tax credit to assist businesses in replacing Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) firefighting systems and the repeal of the Superfund Excise Tax on Chemical Substances, which has imposed significant costs on companies across the chemical distribution supply chain. 

“ACD looks forward to working with members of Congress and the relevant committees of jurisdiction on these priorities to further support the critical work of our members today and in the years to come.”

To read more about these priorities, click here.