Top Policy News

GCCA Government Affairs is committed to keeping the cold chain industry abreast of current, policy issues that are affecting your business.

FMCSA releases Hours of Service Rules

After much controversy and multiple delays, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released its new Hours of Service rules on December 22, 2011.  The effective date of the Final Rule is February 27, 2012, and the compliance date of selected provisions is July 1, 2013, which means that carriers will have about 18 months to come into compliance with many of the new requirements.  A full copy of the Final Rule, as well as Questions & Answers, can be found on the FMCSA website. Read more

NEP IARW Member Alert

OSHA Releases PSM Covered Chemical Facilities National Emphasis Program - On November 29, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration finalized the directive establishing the PSM Covered Chemical Facilities National Emphasis Program (NEP). Read More »

IARW Works to Improve Warehouse Receipts

IARW provided formal comments to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and expressed particular concern with the proposal’s suggestion that negotiable warehouse receipts be used under the new license. FSA is continuing to evaluate the comments received and has not released any additional information. Read More »

NLRB Proposes Changes to Union Election Process

On June 22, 2011, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) proposed a series of changes that would alter the union election process and significantly shorten the election schedule. Read More »

IARW Comments on USDA Warehouse License Proposal

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) recently proposed the creation of a new license for processed agricultural products that would be administered under the United States Warehouse Act (USWA). Read More »

GCCA/OSHA Alliance Team Unveils Ammonia Poster

The GCCA/OSHA Alliance Team has recently completed work on an ammonia safety poster that provides basic safety information for anyone working in an ammonia refrigeration facility. Read More »

Comments Regarding Demurrage Liability

As previously reported, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) regarding demurrage liability. The STB intends to adopt a rule or policy statement addressing when parties should be responsible for demurrage in light of current commercial practices followed by rail carriers, shippers, and receivers. Read More »

Healthcare Repeal First on New Congress' Agenda

With the 112th U.S. Congress now in session, a repeal of President Obama's "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" is first on the agenda in the U.S. House of Representatives. Read More »

Food Safety Bill Signed Into Law

After almost two years of debates, votes, Constitutional issues and political posturing, the U.S. Congress has approved a sweeping food safety bill that will give the Food and Drug Administration significant new authorities. Read More »

Framework for Tax Cuts and Unemployment Unveiled

On December 6, 2010, President Obama and Congressional leaders released a tentative framework agreement that would extend the so called "Bush" tax cuts, along with addressing unemployment assistance and other tax issues. Read More »

FDA Registration: IARW Now Serving as U.S. Agent for Non-U.S. Members

Under the new FDA regulations arising out of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, most non-US food facilities shipping product to the U.S. must have an Agent based in the U.S. Read More »