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Thompson Hine LLP, a full-service business law firm with approximately 400 lawyers in 8 offices, was ranked number 1 in the category “Most innovative North American law firms: New working models” by The Financial Times and was 1 of 7 firms shortlisted for The American Lawyer’s inaugural Legal Services Innovation Award. The firm has been recognized by the National Law Journal as a Legal Technology Trailblazer and featured by Bloomberg for its innovative service delivery models, which drive accuracy and predictability. The firm’s commitment to innovation is embodied in Thompson Hine SmartPaTHTM – a smarter way to work – predictable, efficient and aligned with client goals. For more information, please visit ThompsonHine.com and ThompsonHine.com/SmartPaTH.

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The chemical industry is subject to complex and ever-evolving laws and regulations. New standards governing the production and use of chemicals are implemented every year worldwide, and existing laws and regulations are constantly changing to keep pace with new information and scientific advancements. Chemical Industry Regulatory Update provides a monthly digest of recent legislative and regulatory developments and related industry news.

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Don’t Miss This Webinar! Election 2024: Public Policy Implications for the U.S. Adhesive and Sealant Industry

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Tuesday, January 14, 2025 | 11 a.m. - Noon EST The recent election results for president and Congress will have a measurable impact on U.S. manufacturing, including the adhesive and sealant industry. ASC President Bill Allmond will provide an overview of the policy questions that will be most on the forefront and explain how legislative and regulatory outcomes will likely affect our industry. From the environment to trade to taxes and beyond, Allmond will cover the issues that are top of mind for the adhesive and sealant value chain. To learn more about the event and register, click <a href="https://www.ascouncil.org/events/election-2024-public-policy-implications-for-the-us-adhesive-and-sealant">here</a>.

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California Proposition 65 Warning Changes Go into Effect January 1, 2025

<a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/kim-sim-sandell/">Kim Sim Sandell</a> On December 6, 2024, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) <a href="https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/crnr/proposition-65-clear-and-reasonable-warnings-safe-harbor-methods-and-content">announced</a> that it has adopted significant amendments to California Proposition 65 regulations, marking the most substantial changes since 2016. These changes, which include updates to short-form warnings on consumer products and new safe harbor warnings for passenger or off-highway motor vehicle and recreational marine vessel parts, will take effect on January 1, 2025. To read more about the regulation’s key updates, click <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/insights/california-proposition-65-warning-changes-go-into-effect-january-1-2025/">here</a>.

Equal Pay in Focus: California’s Pay Transparency and Reporting Rules

<a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/amanda-r-washton/">Amanda R. Washton</a>

In September 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 1162 (SB 1162), also known as the California Pay Transparency Act. The law, codified in California Labor Code Section 432.3, went into effect on January 1, 2023. Its intent of the legislature is to ensure workers receive fair and equal pay. When passing the original precursor law, Senate Bill 973, the California Legislature noted the following:

Despite significant progress in strengthening equal pay laws, the gender pay gap persists, resulting in billions of dollars in lost wages. In 2016, women working full-time earned, on average, 88 cents for every dollar earned by men, with women of color experiencing an even wider gap.

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According to 2020 California pay data, women were disproportionately represented among those earning less than $30,000 annually, while fewer than 10% of Latino and Black Californians were in the highest earning bracket (approximately $129,000 and above.) In contrast, nearly 30% of white Californians fell into this top earning bracket. <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/insights/equal-pay-in-focus-californias-pay-transparency-and-reporting-rules/">Continue reading</a>.

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New Year Brings New and Updated Paid Leave Laws

<a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/rudi-s-turner/">Rudi S. Turner</a>, <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/amanda-r-washton/">Amanda R. Washton</a>, <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/m-scott-young/">M. Scott Young</a>

Starting January 1, 2025, New York will become the first state to mandate paid prenatal personal leave for all private-sector employees regardless of company size. The law requires New York employers to provide up to 20 hours annually for prenatal or other medical care related to pregnancy. The provisions of the law include several changes. <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/insights/new-year-brings-new-and-updated-paid-leave-laws/">Learn more</a>.

DOJ and FTC Withdraw Competitor Collaborations Guidance

<a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/mark-r-butscha-jr/">Mark R. Butscha, Jr.</a>, <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/jennifer-s-roach/">Jennifer S. Roach</a>, <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/robert-f-ware/">Robert F. Ware</a>, <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/caitlin-thomas/">Caitlin Thomas</a>, <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/thomas-f-zych/">Thomas F. Zych</a>

The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission jointly <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/v250000collaborationguidelineswithdrawalstatement.pdf">announced</a> on December 11 the withdrawal of the Antitrust Guidelines for Collaboration Among Competitors (“Collaboration Guidelines”), long-standing guidance on competitor collaborations. The agencies did not update the Collaboration Guidelines but rather withdrew them with no replacement.

Issued in April 2000, the Collaboration Guidelines set forth the agencies’ views on how competitor collaborations should be analyzed under the antitrust laws and carved out criteria for “safety zones” for certain types of competitor collaborations that the agencies would not challenge. <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/insights/doj-and-ftc-withdraw-competitor-collaborations-guidance/">Read more</a>.

BOI Filing Requirements Under the Corporate Transparency Act Paused Again, but the Ping Pong Match is Not Over

<a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/ashley-a-weyenberg/">Ashley A. Weyenberg</a>, <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/shelbie-harvey/">Shelbie Harvey</a>, <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/jennifer-l-maffett-nickelman/">Jennifer L. Maffett-Nickelman</a>, <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/frank-d-chaiken/">Frank D. Chaiken</a>, <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/mark-a-conway/">Mark A. Conway</a>, <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/lauren-a-davis/">Lauren A. Davis</a>, <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/amy-g-mcclurg/">Amy G. McClurg</a>, <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/kelsey-mehaffie/">Kelsey Mehaffie</a>, <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/jennifer-s-roach/">Jennifer S. Roach</a>, <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/professionals/alan-weeter/">Alan Weeter</a>

On December 26, 2024, the ping pong match continued when a panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order vacating a portion of its December 23 decision and reinstating the nationwide injunction against enforcing the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) initially issued by the lower court on December 3. As a result, the requirement to file beneficial ownership information with FinCEN by the January 13, 2025 deadline (the previously extended deadline) is on hold again. <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/insights/boi-filing-requirements-under-the-corporate-transparency-act-paused-again-but-the-ping-pong-match-is-not-over/">Continue reading</a>.

Check out the latest <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/insights/employment-legislation-outlook-january-2025/">Employment Legislation Outlook</a>. This monthly digest is designed to keep you apprised of upcoming major state law changes in areas including paid sick and safe leave laws, family and parental leave, recreational and medicinal marijuana use, workplace gun laws, asking candidates about salary history and unpredictable scheduling.

Looking for Adhesive &amp; Sealant Training?

ASC’s <a href="https://www.ascouncil.org/certificate-program">Training Academy Certificate Program</a> offers a convenient and cost-effective, web-based method of workforce training ideal for new or new to a role staff and professionals. A variety of flexible and affordable subscription options are available.

Chemical Industry Regulatory Update – January 2025

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