COVID-19 Response: U.S. Electroindustry Essential to American Health and Safety
We recognize our Members are manufacturers, many with multiple facilities, where being present on the production floor is a requirement for normal business operations. Understanding the challenges our Members face, NEMA is committed to fulfilling our commitment to you throughout this outbreak in all possible ways within our capabilities. We are providing Members with extended coverage of the latest government policy announcements affecting the electroindustry in the Intelligence Portal.
Summary of Federal Actions Potentially Affecting Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in Response to COVID-19
NEMA created this report that summarizes provisions affecting small and medium-sized businesses and non-profit organizations.
READ MORE.
America Needs to Work Its Way through This Crisis and It Will Rely on Electricity to Do So
There are 16 critical infrastructure
sectors in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. While electrical equipment manufacturers are considered “Critical Manufacturing,” they also
directly support every other sector
by making the products needed to assure the reliable and consistent flow of electricity. Without on-demand electricity, which depends on a steady supply of equipment for maintenance and upgrade of existing systems and construction
of new buildings and capabilities, our nation’s current situation would go from bad to worse. And without electricity, millions of American workers will face uncertain employment and economic future.
READ MORE
.
Electroindustry United to Ensure Essential Businesses Operating
The leading trade associations representing America's electrical supply chain, including manufacturers, distributors, and installers, united to ensure that lawmakers at the state and local levels keep the power on for everyone as they make decisions related to the current COVID-19 health crisis.
READ MORE
.
NEMA Endorses Global Lighting Association Position Statement on Germicidal UV-C Irradiation.
There is an urgent need for comprehensive technical safety standards for UV-C disinfecting devices. Standards are expected to be developed but will take months before they are published. Pending development and publication of such standards,
NEMA Lighting Systems Division Members participated with the Global Lighting Association (GLA) to develop this document as an intermediate measure to draw attention to safety issues associated with UV-C products and to provide guidance
on their safe use. 
Download the full document here.
NEMA Petitions for Updates to DHS Critical Manufacturing
NEMA filed a petition with the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) that "electrical products/systems and medical imaging devices be explicitly acknowledged by DHS as 'essential to continued critical infrastructure viability." The CISA guidance specifically designates medical and healthcare, telecommunications, information technology systems, defense, food and agriculture, transportation and logistics, energy, water and wastewater, law enforcement, and public works as essential. NEMA points out that "None of these sectors could function effectively without the safe, efficient, and reliable supply of electrical power, which constitutes a core purpose of the electrical manufacturing industry." To read the full letter, please
CLICK HERE.
NEMA Reaches out for Clarity on Mexico Pandemic Response Activities
On April 29, 2020, NEMA President and CEO wrote a letter to U.S. Secretaries of State, Homeland Security, and Commerce to introduce NEMA and "share our essential industry's view regarding COVID-19 pandemic response activities in Mexico and
the United States." The letter noted the "full agreement" that the health and safety of workers is the top concern, and describes various voluntary actions taken. READ MORE.
Global Lighting Association
Urges Continuing
Access to Lighting
Products
The Global Lighting Association (GLA) urges authorities to ensure sustained access to lighting products during these challenging times by categorizing lighting as an essential product and ensuring lighting products can continue to be manufactured, supplied and sold.
READ MORE
.
Lighting is Essential Manufacturing
The NEMA Lighting Divison released a statement to support the determination that lighting and lighting system manufacturers are essential businesses and request that all government agencies explaining the details of "stay-at-home" policies explicitly include all lighting and lighting systems device manufacturers to avoid delays in meeting the public's need for these essential goods supporting critical infrastructure as well as the public's interest in a safe environment. READ MORE.
IMPACT ON CODE ADOPTION
Several NEMA Members are on the front lines addressing critical infrastructure needs to combat the global COVID-19 pandemic.
READ MORE.
Send your company initiatives to Managing Editor Jena Passut at
Jena.passut@nema.org.
SME RESOURCES
NEMA has prepared this
COVID-19 Quick Start Guide to provide small- and medium-size NEMA Members a listing of key resources to help them navigate the fast-moving situation related to the pandemic. It is not designed to provide all the answers you may have nor to provide legal advice for your particular situation. READ MORE.
GENERAL INTEREST