Clean Act Awaiting Mayor’s Signature
With the passage of the Clean Act by the New York City Council, all that is left to make the bill law is the signature of Mayor Bill de Blasio. The Mayor is expected to sign the legislation in early August. Industrial launderers will then have 180 days in which to submit the license application.
The Clean Act adds licensing requirements for linen and uniform supply launderers serving New York City. While the bill places regulations on the industrial laundry industry, the version passed by the City Council is significantly better than the original version introduced last year. TRSA worked very hard with the staff of Councilman Ritchie Torres and the NYC Committee on Consumer Affairs to make sure industrial laundries voices were heard.
Of chief concern in the original version were the requirements that the Commissioner of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) establish standards of cleanliness for textiles. Working with the City Council, the bill adopted standards of cleanliness based on TRSA’s Hygienically Clean certification. Also of concern was the requirement to submit names and addresses of clients as well as the names and addresses of drivers who deliver textiles to the city – both provisions were removed.
The bill also requires formation of an advisory task force to the council and mayor on cleanliness and hygiene to consider strategies for enforcing these standards, including reviewing procedures for maintaining functional separation. The task force will consist of representatives of launderers, industry employees, DCA and the city health department. Recommendations are due on or before June 2019 with the task force reconvening every five years (or sooner) for the same purpose.
TRSA has met with New York officials since the bill’s proposal in early 2015 to familiarize them with industry best practices. “We demonstrated TRSA members’ capabilities to satisfy customers’ needs for greater cleanliness, increased product variety and better service,” said TRSA Vice Chairman David Potack, Unitex Textile Rental Services, Mount Vernon, NY. “As the leading companies in the industry, we have a long history of improving standards and practices. Our partnerships with federal, state and local governments are strong because our members are recognized for documented improvements in sustainability, workplace safety, hygiene and other performance measures.”
TRSA will remain a resource for the city, Potack said, in making the rules to implement the new law. TRSA will hold a webinar to further explain the impact of the Clean Act on the industrial laundry industry. The date of this webinar is still to be determined.
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