Mayor de Blasio Signs Clean Act
Mayor Bill de Blasio recently signed intro 697, the Clean Act, into law. Industrial launderers now have 180 days in which to submit their license applications.
To see the text of the bill, click here or on the link above.
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 that the City Council approved is significantly better than the original version introduced last year.
TRSA worked hard with the staff of Councilman Ritchie Torres and the NYC Committee on Consumer Affairs to make sure that the voices of industrial laundries were heard throughout the of debating and enacting this legislation.
Of chief concern in the original bill was the requirement 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.
Another concern was the requirement that laundries submit the 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 the 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 the functional separation of soiled and clean textiles. The task force will consist of representatives of launderers, industry employees, the 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, N.Y. “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 developing the rules needed to implement the new law.
In the near term, TRSA will hold a webinar (date to be announced shortly) to debrief members on the impact of the Clean Act on the industrial laundry industry. Operators also may contact TRSA Vice President of Government Relations Kevin Schwalb at 877.770.9274, ext. 107; or kschwalb@trsa.org for further information on the new law.