The IIAR, along with over 100 interested associations and groups, has given its support to a letter drafted by the American Chemistry Council (ACC). This letter urges all federal, state and local jurisdictions to adhere to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) guidance used to define critical infrastructure across the country in an effort to promote public health and safety by protecting the vital services and functions provided by our membership.
It is the intent and mission of IIAR, RETA, GCCA, and ASTI to provide our members with critical information that relates specifically to our industry regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past several days, we have been monitoring industry correspondence and communicating with government officials to identify information that will assist our member companies in maintaining their vital services while protecting the safety of their employees and the general public. With that in mind, we are providing the following information to help all of us in the Industrial and Food Retail Refrigeration Industry conduct our business and respond to the Coronavirus.
March 25, 2020
Dear Mr. President, Governors, Mayors and other local elected officials:
We recognize and appreciate the aggressive steps that are being taken to respond to the threats of the COVID-19 virus. We represent the manufacturers, distributors and supply chain of the products and raw materials that ensure public health and safety during these times of a pandemic. Protecting our workforce, their families and our communities are our top priorities.
Unfortunately, there are well-intentioned actions being taken at the state and local levels that may fundamentally impede or otherwise threaten the supply of critical products. It is imperative that the federal, state and local governments come together with uniform definitions of “critical infrastructure” making clear what manufacturers must continue to operate, as well as take seriously the need to transport those products and have the workforce available to keep operations running. Curfews that do not consider transportation and workforce needs could quickly become significant barriers to not only supply chains, but also actual supplies. Accordingly, we are asking for the following actions to be coordinated in the most expedient fashion:
- States should agree to directly adopt the definition of “critical infrastructure” as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a floor and commit to keep these critical manufacturing facilities open across the nation. Follow guidance from the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to identify essential critical infrastructure workers during COVID-19 response. Attempt to coordinate all states and localities to achieve as uniform a definition and consistent application as possible, recognizing the need for states or localities to provide broader definitions of critical infrastructure based on their own state or local circumstances.
- Commit to not creating any artificial barriers to the transportation of these products and work in a coordinated fashion to ensure the safe shipment of goods from manufacturing facilities to retailers.
- Ensure that any curfews do not impede a healthy workforce from getting to and from manufacturing facilities and retailers during all necessary hours of operation.
As you consider national, statewide or local measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, we respectfully request that our industries be consistently designated essential and permitted to maintain operations throughout this challenging time, using the DHS definition as a minimum guide to the fullest extent practicable.
Our member companies are proud to support the ongoing national response to COVID-19. We will continue to act responsibly and limit the spread of the virus at our facilities. We ask that those facilities, workforces and their supply chains continue to operate uninterrupted so that we may provide the strongest possible response for the American public.
Sincerely,
Adhesive and Sealant Council
Agricultural Retailers Association
Aluminum Association
American Boiler Manufacturers Association
American Chemistry Council
American Cleaning Institute
American Coatings Association, Inc.
American Coke and Coal Chemicals Institute
American Foundry Society
American Frozen Food Institute
American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers
American Hardwood Export Council
American Mold Builders Association
American Pet Products Association
American Petroleum Institute
American Spice Trade Association
American Supply Association
American Walnut Manufacturers Association
American Wood Council
AMT-The Association for Manufacturing Technology
Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers
Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association
Beer Institute
Biotechnology Innovation Organization
Can Manufacturers Institute
Compressed Gas Association, Inc.
Consumer Brands Association
Consumer Healthcare Products Association
Corn Refiners Association
Decorative Hardwood Association
Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S.
Empire State Forest Products Association
EPS Industry Alliance
Flavor & Extract Manufacturers Association
Flexible Packaging Association
Fragrance Creators Association
Glass Packaging Institute
Global Cold Chain Alliance
Hardwood Federation
Hardwood Manufacturers Association
Household & Commercial Products Association
INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry
Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association
Independent Petroleum Association of America
Industrial Fasteners Institute
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries
International Association of Color Manufacturers
International Foodservice Distributors Association
International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration
International Wood Products Association
IPC
Kentucky Forest Industries Association
Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association
Methanol Institute
Missouri Forest Products Association
National Association for Surface Finishing
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
National Association of Chemical Distributors
National Association of Manufacturers
National Automatic Merchandising Association
National Beer Wholesalers Association
National Confectioners Association
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
National Grocers Association
National Hardwood Lumber Association
National Lime Association
National Mining Association
National Oilseed Processors Association
National Pest Management Association
National Propane Gas Association
National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc.
National Tooling and Machining Association
National Turkey Federation
National Waste & Recycling Association
National Wooden Pallet & Container Association
National Wood Flooring Association
North American Die Casting Association
North American Meat Institute
North Carolina Forestry Association
Northeastern Loggers Association
Pennsylvania Forest Products Association
Personal Care Products Council
Pet Food Institute
Pet Industry Distributors Association
Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council
Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association
Plastics Industry Association
Plumbing Manufacturers International
Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
Portland Cement Association
Precision Machined Products Association
Precision Metalforming Association
PVC Pipe Association
Railway Tie Association
Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association
Single Ply Roofing Industry
SNAC International
Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates
Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute
Tennessee Forestry Association
Travel Goods Association
Treated Wood Council
United Fresh Produce Association
U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association
Vinyl Institute
Vinyl Siding Institute
Virginia Forestry Association
Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition
Western Hardwood Association Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
Wood Component Manufacturers Association
World Pet Association
