AHFA Presents 2025 "Eyes on the Horizon" Regulatory Summit

May 21, 2025  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

All companies manufacturing, importing or retailing home furnishings for the U.S. market are urged to send a representative to this two-day forum. AHFA’s 2025 “Eyes on the Horizon” Regulatory Summit offers a unique opportunity for industry executives to join with regulatory, legal and environmental experts as they explore wide ranging issues that will impact both immediate and future home furnishings operations.

“Home furnishings are among the most regulated consumer products in the home,” notes AHFA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Bill Perdue. “This year’s Summit not only covers compliance strategies for requirements in place today but what companies can anticipate in the not-so-distant future.”

The Summit’s keynote presenter is Nancy Beck, principal deputy assistant administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. A former chemical industry executive with the American Chemistry Council and a member of the first Trump administration, Beck currently is one of the most senior EPA officials with more than 25 years of applied public health experience, 17 of which were in government.

Beck has direct oversight of the final risk assessment for formaldehyde under the Toxic Substances Control Act, which directly impacts both upholstered furniture and case goods. “The final formaldehyde risk assessment released by EPA in December 2024 for the first time listed foam seating and bedding as conditions of use that significantly contribute to unreasonable consumer and worker health risks,” Perdue explains. “If these categories remain in a second edition of the risk assessment – anticipated in June – then Beck will oversee the final risk management rule and its impact on our industry.”

He adds, “Beck’s presence at the Summit provides our industry with a unique opportunity to hear her perspective on the ‘new EPA’ and its regulatory plan for the coming years. This is the time to come armed with questions and comments to ensure this top EPA official leaves our Summit with a greater understanding of the home furnishings industry.”

An extended 90-minute session during the Summit is dedicated to the EPA’s formaldehyde risk assessment and its conclusions regarding consumer and worker exposure. The session will also detail legal strategies under consideration at the American Chemistry Council (ACC) should EPA fail to address shortcomings in the risk assessment that ACC believes harm key sectors of U.S. industry.

Summit attendees also will hear from:

• Chris Andresen, senior vice president of Dutko Government Relations, who will provide an update on the initiatives of the second Trump Administration;
• Ashley Amidon, executive director of the International Wood Products Association, with new details on the regulations that are making wood sourcing increasingly complex;
• Martha Marrapese, a partner at Wiley Rein LLP in Washington, D.C., who will walk attendees through the EPA’s “short form” for PFAS reporting; and
• Alex Williams, AHFA’s manager of sustainability & regulatory compliance, who has been following the development of state-level Extended Producer Responsibility regulations that aim to reduce environmental impacts by shifting the cost of waste management from local governments to producers.

Additional sessions cover updates on ASTM voluntary product safety standards, including a proposed recliner safety standard; breakout sessions on country of origin labeling and on the CPSC’s E-filing requirement for all importers; and, for exporters, updates on issues related to the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

“The most relevant regulatory developments are on this agenda, along with unmatched insights into organizing and prioritizing the compliance function at your company,” Perdue states. “The regulatory environment that is on our horizon demands a higher level of understanding, expertise and dedication from our industry. The Summit is where that learning begins.”

Registration is $1,225 for executives from companies that are not members of AHFA, and $225 for member company executives. The registration includes a light breakfast and lunch both days, as well as a reception following the Wednesday, August 20, program. The online registration form also contains information on available sponsorships and exhibiting in the Summit Expo Hall. Questions about sponsorships and the Expo Hall can be directed to Gene Clark.