By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule banning methylene chloride used in paint removers for consumer use. The prohibition begins in August 2019. Methylene chloride is also called dichloromethane or DCM and is used for paint and coating removal, metal cleaning and degreasing, plastic processing and adhesive manufacturing. Consumers exposed to the chemical may risk dizziness or potentially fatal nervous system disorders. 

There are a variety of other alternative chemicals available to take the place of methylene chloride. While the chemical has not been banned for commercial uses, the EPA has requested feedback on limiting use to workers who are trained and certified. The EPA did not take any action against n-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), another chemical sometimes found in paint strippers that the agency had previously considered banning. 

For more information, please contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (A.B. 210) in the California Assembly to exempt motor vehicles produced prior to the ’83 model year from the state’s emissions inspection requirement will be considered by the Assembly Committee on Transportation on March 25.

Legislation (A.B. 210) in the California Assembly to exempt motor vehicles produced prior to the ’83 model year from the state’s emissions inspection requirement will be considered by the Assembly Committee on Transportation on March 25. Current law requires the biennial testing of all ’76-and-newer model-year vehicles.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (A.B. 210) in the California Assembly to exempt motor vehicles produced prior to the ’83 model year from the state’s emissions inspection requirement will be considered by the Assembly Committee on Transportation on March 25.

Legislation (A.B. 210) in the California Assembly to exempt motor vehicles produced prior to the ’83 model year from the state’s emissions inspection requirement will be considered by the Assembly Committee on Transportation on March 25. Current law requires the biennial testing of all ’76-and-newer model-year vehicles.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (A.B. 210) in the California Assembly to exempt motor vehicles produced prior to the ’83 model year from the state’s emissions inspection requirement will be considered by the Assembly Committee on Transportation on March 25.

Legislation (A.B. 210) in the California Assembly to exempt motor vehicles produced prior to the ’83 model year from the state’s emissions inspection requirement will be considered by the Assembly Committee on Transportation on March 25. Current law requires the biennial testing of all ’76-and-newer model-year vehicles.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (A.B. 210) in the California Assembly to exempt motor vehicles produced prior to the ’83 model year from the state’s emissions inspection requirement will be considered by the Assembly Committee on Transportation on March 25.

Legislation (A.B. 210) in the California Assembly to exempt motor vehicles produced prior to the ’83 model year from the state’s emissions inspection requirement will be considered by the Assembly Committee on Transportation on March 25. Current law requires the biennial testing of all ’76-and-newer model-year vehicles.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

The SEMA Launch Pad is an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to jump-start their businesses. Hear from 2018 Launch Pad finalist George Shafer, as he shares details about his new product.

The SEMA Launch Pad is an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to jump-start their businesses. Hear from 2018 Launch Pad finalist George Shafer, as he shares details about his new product.

By Kyle Cheng

The March “SEMA Industry Indicators Report” is now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

Where is the U.S. economy heading? The answer to that question remains difficult and unclear.

In February, gains were a feeble 20,000 new jobs, after averaging 226,000 new jobs per month over the last year; however, this may have been driven by adverse weather and random volatility. In addition, auto sales sank lower in February, and existing home sales hit their slowest pace since 2015 as tight inventories and rising interest rates weighed against sales.

On the other hand, despite the weak job gains last month, the underlying labor market remains strong, and the unemployment rate dropped to 3.8%. Likewise, wage growth continues to accelerate. At 3.4% year-over-year growth, wages are growing faster than they have in a decade. Job openings are also at a record high, which should provide support for both hiring and wage growth in the coming months.

Overall, economic growth will moderate over the next two years. However, there continues to be significant debate about how quickly growth will slow or return in the long term.

To learn more, download the March “SEMA Industry Indicators Report,” now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

By Kyle Cheng

The March “SEMA Industry Indicators Report” is now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

Where is the U.S. economy heading? The answer to that question remains difficult and unclear.

In February, gains were a feeble 20,000 new jobs, after averaging 226,000 new jobs per month over the last year; however, this may have been driven by adverse weather and random volatility. In addition, auto sales sank lower in February, and existing home sales hit their slowest pace since 2015 as tight inventories and rising interest rates weighed against sales.

On the other hand, despite the weak job gains last month, the underlying labor market remains strong, and the unemployment rate dropped to 3.8%. Likewise, wage growth continues to accelerate. At 3.4% year-over-year growth, wages are growing faster than they have in a decade. Job openings are also at a record high, which should provide support for both hiring and wage growth in the coming months.

Overall, economic growth will moderate over the next two years. However, there continues to be significant debate about how quickly growth will slow or return in the long term.

To learn more, download the March “SEMA Industry Indicators Report,” now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

By Kyle Cheng

The March “SEMA Industry Indicators Report” is now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

Where is the U.S. economy heading? The answer to that question remains difficult and unclear.

In February, gains were a feeble 20,000 new jobs, after averaging 226,000 new jobs per month over the last year; however, this may have been driven by adverse weather and random volatility. In addition, auto sales sank lower in February, and existing home sales hit their slowest pace since 2015 as tight inventories and rising interest rates weighed against sales.

On the other hand, despite the weak job gains last month, the underlying labor market remains strong, and the unemployment rate dropped to 3.8%. Likewise, wage growth continues to accelerate. At 3.4% year-over-year growth, wages are growing faster than they have in a decade. Job openings are also at a record high, which should provide support for both hiring and wage growth in the coming months.

Overall, economic growth will moderate over the next two years. However, there continues to be significant debate about how quickly growth will slow or return in the long term.

To learn more, download the March “SEMA Industry Indicators Report,” now available for free at www.sema.org/research.