Rachel Zoch

liberal, Lutheran, Longhorn, Texan, word nerd, font snob, occasional gardener, 3x Jeopardy! champ, particular eater, enthusiast for things & places Celtic

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Articles

A Summary Of Recent Actions

3 days ago | ppai.org | Rachel Zoch

There have been several notable changes and developments regarding President Donald Trump's tariff and trade policies since his April 2 "Liberation Day" announcement. Here are some key updates over the past few weeks, as well as what to look out for moving forward as the Trump administration undertakes sweeping trade negotiations.
LEADing The Way

3 weeks ago | ppai.org | Rachel Zoch

Every year, the Association recruits volunteers to travel to Washington to advocate for the promotional products industry, educating members of Congress and their staffers on the industry's economic impact and asking for consideration on issues that matter most to promo pros. More than 70 members, along with key PPAI staff, are traveling to the nation's capital this month for the annual Legislative Education and Action Day, better known as LEAD.
Proposed China Shipbuilding Remedies Face Strong Opposition

3 weeks ago | ppai.org | Rachel Zoch

The office of the United States Trade Representative's proposal to implement fees of up to $1.5 million on Chinese-made ships entering U.S. ports is proving to be unpopular, to say the least. Most testimonies during the public hearing on March 24 opposed USTR's proposed remedies, which also include penalties on operators ordering from China and U.S.-flagged shipping mandates.
New Rule Effectively Ends BOI Reporting Enforcement For US Businesses

1 month ago | ppai.org | Rachel Zoch

On March 21, , the U.S. Treasury Department's financial crimes unit issued an interim final rule that effectively ends the requirement for U.S.-based businesses to report beneficial ownership information. Beneficial ownership information refers to the individual people who directly or indirectly own at least 25% of a company or exercise "substantial control" over the company. The vast majority of PPAI's roughly 15,000 member companies would have been subject to the reporting requirement.
Communication, Collaboration Emerge As Themes From Annual Product Safety Conference

1 month ago | ppai.org | Rachel Zoch

Compliance doesn't always equal safety. That's one key takeaway from the 2025 Annual Meeting and Training Symposium hosted by the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization in Florida earlier this month. ICPHSO ("ick-fa-so"), as it's better known, is an international, neutral forum for product safety stakeholders to learn, network and share information to promote the development of safer consumer products around the world.
Oregon Packaging EPR Deadline Fast Approaching

1 month ago | ppai.org | Rachel Zoch

The trend of extended producer responsibility laws aimed at reducing packaging waste - single-use-plastics in particular - continues apace. These laws, enacted so far in six states, place the responsibility for the end-of-life processing of their products on the companies that produce, import or sell those products, rather than relying on consumers and local jurisdictions to do the recycling. The next packaging EPR deadline, in Oregon, is fast approaching.
Feds File Briefs In Defense Of The Corporate Transparency Act

2 months ago | ppai.org | Rachel Zoch

Despite the change in administration, the federal government continues to seek restoration of the Corporate Transparency Act, urging circuit courts to lift a nationwide injunction blocking enforcement of the law. On Feb. 5, the Treasury Department filed a notice of appeal and motion for stay against the Eastern District of Texas injunction currently pausing enforcement. On Feb.
PPAI Sends Tariffs Letter To Congressional Leaders, Invites Members To Send Letters Also

2 months ago | ppai.org | Rachel Zoch

As promo firms respond to the tariffs announced and then partially paused this week, as well as the ensuing uncertainty, PPAI is taking steps to advocate for the industry's interests and providing guidance to help members prepare for whatever comes next. ICYMI: Navigating Tariffs: Strategies For Distributors And Suppliers Briefly, here's where things stand as of Feb. 7:PPAI, with assistance from with our lobbyists at Thorn Run Partners, sent a letter to top congressional leaders on Feb.
President Trump's Tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico

2 months ago | ppai.org | Rachel Zoch

The tariffs ordered Feb. 1 on three of the United States' largest trading partners are expected to have a significant impact across North American markets, including promotional products. Below, we break down facts about the tariffs, describe the Association's response, and suggest actions individual members can take. Editor's Note: This is a developing situation, and this document will be updated as we learn more. TARIFF FAQs What are the tariffs for each country?
EU Releases New Rules For Packaging Waste

2 months ago | ppai.org | Rachel Zoch

As several U.S. states ramp up regulations governing extended producer responsibility for packaging, textiles and other products, the European Union has issued its own new rules for packaging. On January 22, 2025, the EU published Regulation (EU) 2025/40, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which replaces an earlier EPR regulation.