Public affairs updates for communicators, Aug. 29
The news you need to know.
Every day, an avalanche of new stories come out with actions from the U.S. government, state governments and nations around the world. Many of these have a deep impact on companies and organizations – and their communications.
To make it easier to stay up to date on these fast-and-furious updates, we’ve assembled a list of five major stories that impact organizations of all kinds as well as insight into how they affect the practice of communications.
Here’s what you should know.
Duty-free import exemption ends
The executive branch suspended the de minimis rule that allowed duty-free imports under $800, prompting foreign postal operators to halt some shipments and exposing low-value e-commerce to duties.
Why it matters: Expect higher costs and slower deliveries that spike customer questions. Update checkout copy, PDP FAQs and post-purchase emails to explain duties and possible delays. Train social and support to give plain-English answers and offer remedies without political framing. Monitor sentiment in week one, then adjust messaging, offers and escalation paths.
OSHA heat rule enters post-hearing phase; comments due Sept. 30
OSHA finished 13 days of hearings on its proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention standard on July 2, 2025. The rule would set a national baseline for outdoor and indoor work and require employers to plan for heat, provide water and cool areas, schedule rest breaks, and protect new or returning workers who are not yet used to the heat. OSHA opened a post-hearing comment window through Sept. 30 for participants who filed to speak. A final rule is not scheduled; OSHA will review the full record before deciding next steps.
Why it matters: Tell employees what changes now and what does not. The rule is not final, but OSHA expects employers to plan for heat and to act on very hot days. Turn policy into plain steps by job and site, like when to drink water, when to take a break, who to call and where to cool down. Send local heat alerts with simple, consistent triggers and shift-specific instructions. Make sure HR, operations and comms use the same words in training, posters and incident reports. Draft an external statement you can publish fast after any heat incident that explains your prevention steps and how you follow federal and state rules.
White House joins TikTok as ban deadline looms
The White House launched an official TikTok account on Aug. 20, even as U.S. law still requires TikTok to be sold by Sept. 17 or face a nationwide ban. The deadline has been extended multiple times and could slip again. The first clip from the account featured President Trump and signaled active use ahead of any enforcement.
Why it matters: Do not assume channel stability. Maintain mirrored plans for Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts to avoid a blackout. Publish a brief rationale for using or pausing TikTok that addresses data governance and approvals. Keep policy and marketing on the same page about risk, contingency and alternatives.
Read more.
Feds move against California emissions rules
DOJ filed two lawsuits to stop California from enforcing stricter heavy-truck standards through its “Clean Truck Partnership,” arguing federal law now blocks them after Congress and the White House revoked EPA waivers in June. Four major truck makers also sued, saying they are stuck between state demands and federal limits. EPA, in a separate move, proposed to block parts of California’s Clean Truck Check for out-of-state vehicles. A long court fight is likely.
Why it matters: Prepare two sets of talking points — one for a federal-preemption frame and one for state-compliance scenarios. Map which facilities, fleets and suppliers are exposed to California rules and explain potential operational impacts in plain English. Coordinate ESG and policy teams so climate commitments do not contradict litigation posture. Brief local leaders on likely community questions about diesel pollution, jobs and timelines. Draft updates for customers on truck availability, delivery windows and cost if standards change.
EU AI Act’s general-purpose AI rules now in effect
Obligations for providers of general-purpose AI models are now in effect. Providers must create technical documentation, publish a summary of training data that respects EU copyright rules, and share information that helps customers understand capabilities and limits. The most powerful “systemic-risk” models face extra duties such as risk assessments, model evaluations, adversarial testing, cybersecurity measures and serious-incident reporting.
Why it matters: Publish a clear explainer of how your organization uses AI tools and where it does not. Stand up a source-of-truth page for documentation, risk summaries and contact paths. Align product, legal and comms on one standard to avoid overpromising capability or safety. Train spokespeople on new disclosures, consent language and opt-out paths across paid, owned and earned channels. Harmonize EU statements with U.S. privacy and AI policies to avoid cross-border inconsistency.
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