- The Evolution of Uniformity
The National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005 coordinates and harmonizes federal,
state and local concerns and enhances consumer protection throughout the
country. Since the 18th century, the federal government has created uniform
national laws that apply to all states and all citizens. The federal government
has recognized environmental protection, food safety and banking among others as
areas where uniform laws are needed to protect all citizens equally regardless
of where they live. Interstate business and greater movement of people
throughout the states have increased the need for uniformity in many areas. A
few examples of uniformity legislation grouped by category follow:
- FOOD
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- Meat Inspection Act of 1906 mandates inspection of livestock and
post-mortem inspection of every carcass, established sanitary standards for
slaughter and processing plants, and requires continuous USDA inspection of
slaughter and processing operations.
- Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938 established the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA). Congress has since passed a number of laws mandating
national uniformity in the regulation of food and other consumer products. Some
of these laws include: identity of food and cosmetic ingredients (1967), meat
regulation (1967), poultry regulation (1968), egg regulation (1970), and medical
device regulation (1976).
- Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 mandates that all
packaged food products carry a label with standard nutrition information.
- The Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 mandates a single,
health-based standard for pesticides in foods; provides special protections for
infants and children; expedites approval of safer pesticides, and creates
incentives for the development of effective crop protection tools for American
farmers.
- NON-PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
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- Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 grants the
federal government exclusivity in regulating over-the-counter medicines.
- PESTICIDES
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- Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1947 provides
federal control of pesticide distribution, sale and use.
- BANKING/INVESTMENT
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- The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) of 1970 (reauthorized in 2003)
promotes accuracy, fairness and protection of personal information assembled by
credit reporting agencies.
- Crime Control Act of 1990 greatly expands the authority of federal
regulators to combat financial fraud.
- Securities Act of 1933 requires that investors receive financial and
other significant information concerning securities offered for public sale; and
prohibits fraud in the sale of securities.
- Security Exchange Act of 1934 created the Securities and Exchange
Commission with authority over the securities industry.
- RETIREMENT/HEALTH
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- Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974 set minimum
standards for pension plans, health care plans, and some apprenticeship and
severance pay plans established by private sector employers in the United
States.
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, an
amendment to ERISA, allows some employees to obtain continued coverage for
pre-existing medical conditions when they move from one plan to another,
prohibits some forms of discrimination in health coverage based on factors
related to an individual’s health, and improved protections for individuals’
health information.
- ACCESSABILITY
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- Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 establishes uniform standards for
public buildings so physically handicapped persons can have access.
- NATURALIZATION
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- Naturalization Act of 1906 gave the federal government authority over
regulating and permitting naturalization of immigrants.