WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates [1], a trade association representing specialty chemical manufacturers, today announced its top legislative priorities for 2013 and the 113(th) Congress.

    --  TSCA Reform - Given that past comprehensive attempts have failed and the
        congressional dynamics have not changed, SOCMA will share its vision of
        carefully tailored reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act, possibly
        achieved in forms of "down payments," lessening the chances of partisan
        gridlock.

    --  Regulatory Reform - New studies show that chemical manufacturing output
        could be reduced 9-10 percent per year on average over the next decade
        due to government regulations. SOCMA will educate new members of
        Congress and heads of federal agencies about burdens regulations place
        on specialty chemical manufacturers. SOCMA has created an educational
        webpage, www.ReiningInRegulations.com, to further advance the
        association's recommendations.

    --  Chemical Site Security - SOCMA continues to support permanent risk-based
        regulations that comprehensively address security at chemical facilities
        without mandating product substitution. SOCMA will support extensions of
        the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism
        Standards to prevent their expiration, but will also continue to
        advocate for passage of a stand-alone, long-term reauthorization of
        DHS's current chemical security regulations.

    --  Miscellaneous Tariff Bill - Congress failed to pass the Miscellaneous
        Tariff Bill (MTB) before it expired last year, and chemical
        manufacturers are now dealing with what is essentially a tax hike from
        increased duties on products imported for their manufacturing process.
        Savings from duty suspensions have allowed the specialty chemical
        industry to keep their products at globally competitive prices. SOCMA
        will advocate for the reintroduction and passage of the MTB this
        Congress.
    --  FreeTrade Agreements - SOCMA will advocate for a U.S.-EU Free Trade
        Agreement (FTA) to be initiated this year. The flow of goods between
        these two continents is one of the U.S.'s largest trade relationships.
        Data show the U.S. chemical industry stands to benefit the most from a
        FTA with the EU - more than $1 billion in duties were assessed on U.S.
        chemical exports last year.

About SOCMA
SOCMA is the only U.S.-based trade association dedicated solely to the specialty chemical industry. To learn more, visit www.SpecialtyManufacturing.org [2].

Contact:
Jenny Gaines
Assistant Manager, PR & Media
(202) 721-4123
gainesj@socma.com [3]

SOURCE Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates