With 2026 nearing its halfway point, business leaders across the US (and the world) are taking stock—assessing first-half performance in what has been a challenging environment while planning for a future that has become even harder to predict. To that end, the timing of the Household and Commercial Products Association (HCPA) Mid-Year Meeting feels more apropos for stakeholders.

“The HCPA Mid-Year Meeting serves as a critical touchpoint for the industry at a time when policy and business conditions are evolving rapidly. It provides an opportunity to assess progress, recalibrate priorities, make strategic adjustments, and ensure alignment across stakeholders,” said Mike Gruber, who was recently elevated by HCPA to the chief operating officer role. “What makes the meeting particularly valuable is the depth of engagement it enables. Attendees hear directly from policymakers, regulatory experts, and industry leaders, gaining insights that are difficult to replicate elsewhere. It also fosters meaningful dialogue among peers, which is essential for addressing shared challenges.”

HCPA’s Mid-Year Meeting serves as both a pulse check and a catalyst, helping translate emerging trends into actionable strategies for the months ahead, according to Gruber.

The Association is keenly focused on serving its constituents.

“Over the past year, HCPA has leaned into its role as a convener, intelligence gatherer, and strategic advocate for the industry. We have worked to ensure that our members are not only informed about rapidly changing regulatory developments at the federal and state levels but also equipped to respond effectively. This includes providing timely regulatory analysis, practical compliance resources, and direct engagement with policymakers to ensure the industry’s perspective is clearly understood,” Gruber noted.

“At the same time, we have expanded our guidance on key operational challenges—from aerosol legislation to PFAS compliance to packaging sustainability expectations—by fostering collaboration across the value chain. Through committees, working groups, and targeted programming, we have created spaces where stakeholders can share best practices and align on solutions. Ultimately, our goal is to help the industry navigate increasing complexity while continuing to deliver safe, effective, and innovative products to consumers and commercial users alike.”

This year’s mid-year gathering will be the last with Steve Caldeira as president and CEO of HCPA. Last week, Caldeira announced his retirement, effective in July, as reported by Happi.

Washington, DC and Beyond

Washington, DC, is the backdrop for the event, but it is also a harbinger. The meeting agenda is shaped by a combination of regulatory momentum and evolving legislative dynamics in Congress, as well as in numerous state legislatures.

“At the forefront are chemical management policies, including the reauthorization of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA), advancing the Safer Choice Program Authorization Act, and navigating increased state-level activity that is contributing to a more fragmented regulatory landscape,” said Gruber. “Ensuring consistency, predictability, scientific integrity, and workable compliance pathways remain central priorities.”

Sustainability is another major focus area for the meeting, spanning packaging, ingredients, and broader lifecycle considerations.

“As expectations from consumers, customers, lawmakers, and regulators continue to rise, HCPA is working to provide clarity and advocacy to support realistic, effective approaches,” he asserted.

Division meetings span core categories (floor care, cleaning, air care, pest management, antimicrobials, and industrial, for example). The agenda also includes international relations and sustainability. There will also be a session devoted to AI, which is sponsored by HCPA’s Connection & Development Network (CDN), formerly the Young Professionals Committee. The CDN aims to connect HCPA members across companies, roles, and product divisions, providing opportunities for professional development.

Douglas Troutman, assistant administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety & Pollution Prevention, is also scheduled to speak to attendees.

In addition, the 2026 Mid-Year Meeting keynote speakers include:

• Chris Cassidy, a NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy SEAL, and
• Brody Mullins, a Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative reporter covering business and government.

Advocacy Day

On May 14, HCPA members will have the opportunity to share their perspectives and experiences face-to-face with lawmakers and their staff as part of the Association’s Advocacy Day.

“While fly-ins are a common part of the Capitol Hill landscape, ours offers a unique opportunity for member company representatives who may be engaging with their elected officials for the first time to discuss policies impacting their businesses,” said Gruber. “This is a critical component of effective advocacy that helps us bridge the gap between policy and practice. Participants are not simply discussing abstract regulatory concepts; they are sharing tangible impacts, operational realities, and the value our industry brings to the economy. This kind of direct engagement, from credible experts, is incredibly powerful in informing and shaping sound policymaking.”

More details on the HCPA Mid-Year Meeting and a registration link can be found online.