Industry Issues

by Diane M. Calabrese | Published June 2026

 

 

The A-to-Z list of industry issues is easy to make. It probably starts with AI and likely ends with zero emissions—no matter who writes it.

A lot more difficult than making the list of issues is dealing with each one. Regulations, on-and-off tariffs, state-by-state differences in rules, and all the other issues may vex business owners.

But complicated issues do not put a stop to business for members of CETA [Cleaning Equipment Trade Association]. Members find both assistance and camaraderie in dealing with the myriad matters that affect their businesses.

Although California may have put the full force of state government behind net zero, states across the nation have joined the effort. Just determining which regulations apply in which jurisdiction can be difficult.

In spring 2026, many members of CETA began to ask about possible changes to requirements for transporting hazardous materials. The queries prompted the CETA Technical Committee to form a Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee, which is charged with monitoring changes in federal requirements from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and other federal agencies that have authority over activities in our industry.

For instance, the technical committee has alerted CETA members to the impending reporting EPA rule (beginning July 1, 2027) for release of sodium perfluorohexane sulfonate and related compounds (generally called PFAS). In short, new issues continue to emerge.

[N.B. At the CETA.org website, the technical committee posts updates on issues such as PFAS. Raj Trivedi with Comet Pump in Paynesville, MN, currently serves as the chair of the committee.]

Gus Alexander, the CEO of the FNA Group in Pleasant Prairie, WI, serves as president of CETA in 2026. He has some thoughts about the top challenges for most CETA members—acknowledging the variation by location and focus—as we approach the halfway mark of the year.

“From my perspective the top issues are navigating regulatory changes and shifting market technology demand,” says Alexander. He adds that the two issues are tightly linked.

Members must be certain that they and their customers comply with regulations. Any new technology supplied to buyers must be compliant with all rules (e.g., Prop 65 labeling).

As regulatory complexity increases, CETA members benefit from the information their association gathers and disseminates. “New rules like California Proposition 65 labeling changes and small off-road engine (SORE) regulations directly affect equipment, labeling, and operations,” explains Alexander.

“Our members must adjust products, documentation, and practices to remain compliant, often across multiple jurisdictions,” says Alexander,  “in addition to keeping up with rapid industry change based on technology, efficiency, and sustainability.”

Environmental considerations loom over the many industry issues. “Members face pressure to adopt new equipment and innovations highlighting more efficient and environmentally responsible practices,” says Alexander.

There is robust help available with the demands that association members strive to meet each day, available at the CETA website, by phone, email, and text. Moreover, the CETA leadership team highlights innovation, sustainability, and performance improvements as key priorities for 2026.

What’s the rationale behind the three priorities? Alexander explains the leadership team is focused on helping members maintain profitability amid so much change.

“Distributors and contractors must adapt while still growing revenue and margins, which is difficult in a changing regulatory and competitive landscape,” explains Alexander. “Put simply, the top shared issue is adapting to regulatory and industry change without hurting business performance.”

With the focus on melding compliance and business performance as easily as possible, the association always keeps in sight recurring industry issues. Meeting new challenges is made easier by the strong foundation CETA has.

“Education, training, and technical updates are critical for our members, keeping in mind participation is very important,” says Alexander. “Events like PowerClean^® provide seminars on regulations such as CARB/SORE updates as well as training on new techniques and technologies.”

[Reminder: PowerClean 2026 takes place in Orlando, FL, October 8–11, at the Rosen Shingle Creek.]

Keeping pace with the accelerating changes in technology and techniques informed by technological breakthroughs requires much from our industry members who are already fully engaged in running their companies. “CETA is expanding education programs and learning resources to keep members current,” says Alexander.

Ongoing education enables members to understand and implement changes faster, explains Alexander. And leadership views industry benchmarking and business guidance as essential components of the assistance the association provides to members.

Benchmarking data yield financial insights crucial to members eager to compare performance and improve profitability strategies. Such data analyses directly address pressures on profitability

Networking and peer collaboration have long joined to form the cornerstone of what CETA accomplishes, says Alexander. They are therefore deeply embedded in the foundation of the association.

“Conferences and trade shows connect our member manufacturers, distributors, and contractors,” says Alexander. “Members share how they’re handling day-to-day challenges and regulatory changes.”

The willingness of CETA members to share experiences—positive and negative—serves to move everyone toward solutions. “It reduces trial and error and spreads best practices quickly,” says Alexander.

And Alexander explains the new annual Innovation Award, which was established in 2025 and encourages the development of more efficient equipment and better cleaning technologies. “CETA leadership is prioritizing innovation and sustainability improvements that help our members adapt” to whatever challenges arise.

For example, CETA works on industry benchmarks and standards to improve safety, quality, and reliability. “This gives members clearer direction in a complex regulatory environment,” says Alexander.

“The bottom line is CETA acts as a central hub for education and regulatory updates, business benchmarking, networking and shared solutions, and innovation and standards development,” says Alexander. “In effect, CETA helps members keep up, stay compliant, and remain competitive at the same time.”

As for meeting and formulating strategies for dealing with industry issues as they arise, CETA has a strong record of success. The responses the association provides to requests for comments that come from rule makers at all levels of government carry the weight of an entire professional group representing an essential industry.

By providing technical feedback on feasibility, safety, and real-world usage to regulators as they make rules, CETA helps to ensure the final rules are workable, explains Alexander. Workable meaning the rules can be met without disruption to actual cleaning operations.

Alexander cites just one significant example of the efforts of the association in the policy realm. In 2025–2026, CETA filed an amicus brief supporting a legal challenge to rules concerning zero-emission equipment.

The brief highlighted technical limitations of current zero-emission equipment, especially the economic and supply chain impacts on the industry. The intervention by CETA (along with other professional groups) helped to secure more realistic timelines for new standards.

“We are focused on giving our industry more time to develop workable solutions instead of facing immediate disruption” when new issues arise, explains Alexander. “CETA is the voice to allow our members to adapt strategically instead of reacting too late.”

It’s all about a unified voice. Make that a strong, unified voice–a unified voice energized by the assumption that ultimately there is a solution to every problem. The solution simply must be found. It’s out there, as all solutions are.

With more solution seekers–individuals joining forces to compare, collaborate and commit to doing what it takes–even the A and Z on the list of issues can be handled.