NAED’s Government Relations department is keeping our members updated about current happenings in D.C.
Countering Counterfeit Products
NAED, alongside the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), is urging Amazon to strengthen oversight of critical electrical safety products sold through its marketplace. In a joint letter to Amazon’s product safety and compliance leadership, the organizations raised concerns that circuit breakers, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), and arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) are not currently included in Amazon Seller Central’s Product Compliance List.
The letter warns that uncertified or non-compliant electrical products may be reaching consumers under the current system and asked Amazon to designate these items as regulated products requiring accredited testing, certification, and labeling documentation from sellers.
For NAED, the issue is significant because electrical distributors help maintain the integrity, safety, and reliability of the electrical supply chain. The sale of uncertified safety products undermines trusted distribution channels, creates unfair competition for compliant manufacturers and distributors, and increases risks to contractors, businesses, and consumers who depend on safe, tested equipment.
The effort also aligns with the bipartisan SHOP SAFE Act, which we expect to be introduced later this year, which seeks to increase accountability for online marketplaces that facilitate the sale of counterfeit or unsafe goods.
National Electrical Safety Month
NAED is applauding a new congressional effort to designate May 2026 as “National Electrical Safety Month,” highlighting the importance of electrical safety awareness in homes, schools, and workplaces across the country.
The House resolution, introduced by Congressman Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), emphasizes the importance of public awareness around electrical hazards and recognizes the role of modern safety technologies, including ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs), surge protective devices, and tamper-resistant receptacles. The resolution also notes that electrical failures contribute to thousands of home fires annually, resulting in injuries, fatalities, and billions in property damage.
“We are grateful for Congressman Bresnahan’s leadership in recognizing May as ‘National Electric Safety Month,’” said Wes Smith. “Electricity powers every aspect of our lives, yet the delivery of safe and reliable power is often taken for granted. The professionals across the electrical supply chain, from manufacturers and distributors to contractors and electricians, all play a critical role in ensuring safety. Their work helps keep our infrastructure resilient and our economy strong. NAED is proud to work alongside our partners at NECA and NEMA, along with the Electrical Safety Foundation International, to raise awareness, build for the future, and save lives.”
The resolution also recognizes the ongoing work of the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), a nonprofit organization focused on reducing electrically related deaths, injuries, and property loss through public education and advocacy.
NAED and its industry partners continue to support policies and educational initiatives that strengthen electrical safety standards, modernize infrastructure, and promote workforce training across the electrical industry.
Lawmakers Eye Data Privacy Legislative Push
House Republicans recently unveiled a major legislative effort to establish a nationwide framework for consumer data privacy, introducing two bills aimed at regulating how technology and financial companies collect, use, and protect personal information. The proposals, the SECURE Data Act and the GUARD Financial Data Act, would create a federal privacy standard that preempts the growing patchwork of state privacy laws. Among other provisions, the bills would require companies to minimize data collection, give consumers access to their personal data, and establish clearer rules governing targeted advertising, data sales, and the handling of anonymized information.
The effort represents coordination between the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Financial Services Committee, which have historically wrangled over jurisdiction involving consumer data and financial privacy issues. House Republican leaders described the legislation as a “commonsense” approach designed to give Americans greater control over their personal and financial information while creating uniform compliance standards for businesses.
Some Democrats criticized the proposal, arguing the legislation favors large corporations by overriding stronger consumer protections already enacted in several states. Republicans contend the legislation incorporates elements from both Republican- and Democratic-led state privacy frameworks to build bipartisan support.
NAED Weighs in on Copper Hearing in the U.S. House
NAED recently submitted a letter to the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources in support of the hearing, “Powering the 21st Century with American Copper,” highlighting growing vulnerabilities in the U.S. copper supply chain and the downstream impacts on electrical distribution, grid modernization, and domestic manufacturing.
The letter emphasized that while copper remains foundational to wire and cable, transformers, substations, and broader electrification efforts, the United States faces a significant midstream processing challenge. NAED pointed to the limited domestic smelting and refining capacity compared to China’s expanding global dominance in refined copper production, warning that supply disruptions could trigger severe pricing volatility, extended lead times, and project delays across the electrical sector.
Drawing from industry-funded research, NAED recommended several policy recommendations aimed at strengthening domestic resilience without disrupting critical supply networks. These included support for a more predictable tariff framework, targeted implementation of Defense Production Act authorities to expand copper processing capacity tied to grid equipment manufacturing, and continued workforce development initiatives like the VET Act.
The submission reinforced NAED’s broader position that trade policy, industrial policy, and supply chain strategy must be better aligned to support long-term energy infrastructure and economic competitiveness.
State Update: New York Climate Reporting Bills
New York lawmakers have introduced legislation that would require major corporations to disclose climate-related financial risks publicly. Assembly bill A7195 and Senate bill S5132 would apply to companies with at least $500 million in annual revenue and is subject to regulatory oversight by the New York Department of Financial Services.
Under the proposals, covered businesses would be required to publish annual reports detailing how climate change could affect their operations, investments, supply chains, and overall financial performance. Companies would also need to outline strategies for managing and mitigating those risks. If enacted, the reports would be submitted to the New York secretary of state and posted publicly online each year beginning Dec. 31, 2026.
Supporters argue that the bills would improve transparency for investors and strengthen long-term financial resilience. Critics contend the requirements could impose significant compliance costs and create additional legal and regulatory burdens for businesses.
To date, neither bill has advanced to a floor vote.
