As the sole state affiliate for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the NC Chamber and our members in the manufacturing industry benefit greatly from our association with the nation’s premier manufacturing advocacy organization. This week, we wanted to provide you with an update on a number of ways we are working with NAM to support federal policies that positively impact our members, often including those far beyond the manufacturing sector.

On Monday, we added the NC Chamber’s support to this joint letter coordinated by NAM and sent to members of the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). The letter urges the Commission to reevaluate its recent decision to begin consideration of final rules governing Voluntary Remedial Actions and Guidelines for Voluntary Recall Notices and Disclosure Under Section 6(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Act at the agency’s November meeting. These two rules would heavily impact manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and other stakeholders along the consumer product supply chain, specifically regarding the issues of product recalls and the Commission’s procedures for releasing company-identifiable information. As the joint-letter states, the primary concern of these stakeholders, expressed in numerous public comments on these two rules, is that their implementation would harm a longstanding relationship between the private sector and the CPSC which has successfully fostered a cooperative, mutually beneficial rulemaking process that maximizes consumer and product safety. Therefore, the letter asks the members of the Commission to withdraw these rules and implement a more transparent rulemaking process that formalizes proactive engagement with manufacturers and other stakeholders.

The NC Chamber also recently signed on to another joint letter coordinated by NAM in support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). This crucial trade deal, signed by the U.S. and 11 other countries located around the Pacific Rim, would encourage stronger, fairer trade with many of our nation’s most important commerce partners in the region while also serving to fuel the creation of new jobs and economic opportunities here at home. In addition to NAM, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has often made a strong case for passing the TPP. This excellent article by John G. Murphy, senior vice president for international policy at the U.S. Chamber, addresses many of the most common criticisms that have been levied at the deal by its opponents. Due to the importance of this trade deal for continued U.S. competitiveness, as well as the undue controversy stirred up by its critics, the TPP has become a key trade policy issue in the 2016 presidential election. The joint letter we signed will be sent to the President and congressional leaders later this fall, and we look forward to updating you on future positive developments related to this proposed agreement.

The NC Chamber will keep working with NAM to ensure the collective voice of North Carolina’s manufacturing industry – the engine of our competitive statewide economy – continues to be heard on national issues impacting economic growth and new job creation. For example, with both major presidential candidates promising a push for stronger federal infrastructure investments if elected, we are excited for the potential of NAM’s recently launched “Building to Win” initiative. This proposal includes a call to action targeted at federal leaders at the highest levels. If acted upon, NAM states that it would not only strengthen our nation’s economic competitiveness, but also help deliver a world-class transportation and infrastructure network that all Americans would benefit from for decades to come. We look forward to updating you on this and other efforts in the coming weeks and months.

Gary J. Salamido
Vice President, Government Affairs
North Carolina Chamber