Last Chance to Register for CAWA’s Leadership & Educational Forum in Redondo Beach
CAWA is pleased to present our Summer Forum at the beautiful Sonesta Redondo Beach Hotel & Marina in Southern California. We will have industry experts share their insight and critical thinking on contemporary topics that affect the automotive parts industry. We will also conduct Association business through our committees and Board of Director's meetings. We hope you and your colleagues can join us in beautiful Redondo Beach!

See the registration materials here.
Short Form Prop 65 Warning Label Amendments Decision Lapses Under OEHHA Rulemaking
In January of 2021, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazzard Assessment (OEHHA) notified the business community of their intent to revise California Proposition 65 Short Form Warning Labels for manufactured products distributed and sold in California.

CAWA joined with over 65 small businesses in California to stringently oppose the need to further impose regulations that will create significant burden for manufacturers and create confusion among consumers as they try and decipher complex requirements of Prop 65 label warnings.

The California business community submitted a letter of concern to OEHHA that states in part, “The Proposed Rulemaking will cause significant disruption and costs on small and large businesses alike because it will necessitate label changes on every product that currently bears a short form warning. Each short form warning label will have to be reviewed and updated to identify a chemical for each toxicity endpoint. In addition, the Proposed Rulemaking will necessitate website, marketplace listing, and catalog updates, as well as communications with all retailers regarding the label changes. In 2016, businesses invested significant time and capital to overhaul their Proposition 65 warning programs. The Proposed Rulemaking will require a similar investment just a few short years later and at a time when resources are stretched thin.”

The comment letter further states, “The Proposed Rulemaking does not serve consumers. Consumers face skyrocketing inflation for consumer goods, including food. The Proposed Rulemaking increases the costs of producing those products and creates significant disruption by necessitating label changes to products bearing warnings.” 

OEHHA took the concern seriously and allowed the timeline to publish final regulations to lapse effectively withdrawing their own proposed regulations. However, OEHHA has also indicated they will start their Prop 65 hearing process all over again creating a dire necessity of California business to continue to rein in the governments overstepping regulations when neither business nor consumers benefit.

CAWA will be deeply involved in ensuring its membership and product consumers are protected. See the CAWA and other industry associations comments here. For more information, see CAWA’s California based legislative advocate, Gary Conover at 916.233,9655 or gary@garyconover.com.
Your 2022 Midyear Employment Law Update
In California, employment law is constantly on the move — new statutes, regulations, local ordinances and court cases keep employers on their toes. While many changes come via statutes at the beginning of each year, in California, there's enough to keep employers and their HR professionals busy year-round. Read on for a summary of the employment law developments in 2022 so far, including where we stand regarding COVID-19 laws and regulations, local ordinance updates beginning July 1, the latest court cases impacting employment laws, and several arbitration-related developments. See more here. Source: Our Friends at the California Chamber of Commerce
Total US Aftermarket Sales Forecasted to Increase 8.5% in 2022
The automotive aftermarket continues to demonstrate its market strength with higher-than-expected sales in 2021 in the wake of a slow economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Total U.S. light duty automotive aftermarket sales are forecasted to increase 8.5% in 2022, totaling $356.5 billion, according to the “2022 Joint Channel Forecast Model” produced jointly by the Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). See complete article here. Source: aftermarkeNews
Avoid the Summer, and Other Sales Slumps
No matter the industry or organization, they all seem to have a historically slow time of year, the summer and holidays are usually the biggest. In addition, changes in the economy, the market or industry, pandemics, and supply-chain issues can also lead to slow sales. That said, there are some things you can do about it. You don’t have to simply accept your fate as most companies and salespeople do. Yes, this is going to require you to have an open mind for a few minutes while you read this article. All I’m asking for you to do is consider what I have to say. Worst-case scenario: nothing changes, best-case scenario: you sell more and make more money. Either way, there is no downside to considering what I have to say, only upside. See full article here. Source: John Chapin
Member Corner – Thanks for Your Membership and Support from CAWA
“As a former Chair of the Board for CAWA, I know that my opinions on the value of this organization are very skewed. My involvement in CAWA has for all practical purposes, changed the course of my career path, and I will be forever grateful for that. Not only does CAWA advocate for our industry, but it also does so much more. The gathering and sharing of common goals/best practices, with other leaders in this great industry is invaluable. I am not only proud of the intrinsic value of CAWA, but I am also more proud of the community it creates. Through CAWA not only have I grown professionally… but I can also say that I have met and can call “family”… to so many industry peers. No matter your role, involvement, or executive level in our great industry… CAWA has a spot for you. My suggestion to anyone reading this… get involved. You won’t regret it! There’s never been a more exciting time to be involved in CAWA”! 

~ Ron Aparicio, Motorcar Parts of America
California Assemblymember Chen and Senator Newman Request a Pilot Program for Vehicle Safety Inspections
“As the state continues to focus on transportation and road safety with nearly $22 billion worth of state highway repair and rehabilitation projects planned in the State Highway Operations, I am requesting $8.6 million for the Bureau of Automotive Repair to establish a pilot program for periodic vehicle safety inspection”.

Vehicle safety inspections around the world are designed to uncover mechanical defects which, if left uncorrected, could cause or contribute to traffic accidents, injuries and death. See the legislators’ letter to the Assembly Budget Committee requesting such a pilot program here.

For questions, contact CAWA’s California based Legislative Advocate, Gary Conover at gary@garyconover.com or 916.233.9655.
A Look at Drug Testing, Privacy Rights and Last Chance Agreements
"My employee provided a doctor’s note for recent time off that included information that he was out due to “cocaine poisoning.” With this information, can we require the employee to sign a last chance agreement and submit to weekly drug testing? See discussion here. Source: Our Friends at the California Chamber of Commerce
Moonlighting OK, But Not Job Performance / Attendance Issues
Can California employers require employees to submit written notification/disclosure that they have a second job? California is very protective of employees who engage in “lawful conduct,” and it is illegal to discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of such conduct that they engage in during nonworking hours away from your premises. (See California Labor Code sections 96(k), 98.6). See discussion here. Source: Our Friends at the California Chamber of Commerce
Affordable Health Insurance for Association Members and Their Customers in Nevada
Choose CAWA’s Association Health Plans for Better Rates! CAWA members and their customers in Nevada with 2 (unrelated) to 50 full-time employees can now offer insurance coverage for their employees and their families with a high-quality, affordable Association Health Plan from Prominence. See details here and here. Another member benefit.
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