Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that in early 2005, marine terminal operators in Los Angeles-Long Beach will implement the industry's first day-use fee at a 50% discount in order to encourage greater use of nighttime and weekend gates. Under the PierPass program, shippers who deliver or pick up their containers between 3 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday-Friday, will pay a fee of $20 per TEU. (JoC Online, dated 11/19/04, www.joc.com)
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1. Los Angeles-Long Beach to Implement Day-Use Fee at 50% Discount
2. DHS SecretaryCalls for International Protocol on Cargo Security, Etc.
Shippers' NewsWire reports that at the Asia-Pacific Homeland Security Summit, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Tom Ridge stated that nations need to come together on a cargo security protocol in the same way they adopted the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code through the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Ridge also stated that countries must develop a set of international standards for biometric data. (Shippers' NewsWire Pub 11/19/04, www.americanshipper.com)
3. BIS Denies Gerald Morely's Export Privileges Until August 11, 2008
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice announcing the denial of export privileges for Gerald Morely for a period of five years, ending on August 11, 2008. In addition, BIS has also decided to revoke all licenses issued pursuant to the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended, and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) in which Morely had an interest at the time of his conviction for knowing and willfully exporting, causing to be exported, or attempting to export from the U.S. to Columbia, via Haiti, MAK-90 rifles without first obtaining the required authorization from the State Department's Office of Defense Trade Controls. (BIS notice, FR Pub 11/19/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-25696.pdf.)
4. CPSC to Hold Open Meeting on Certain Flammability Standards on 12/09/04
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a notice announcing that it will hold an open meeting on December 9, 2004 in Bethesda, MD in which CPSC staff will brief the Commission on a draft proposed rule addressing flammability (open flame) of mattresses and foundations under the Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA), as well as the involvement of bedclothes in mattress/bedding fires. (FR Pub 11/22/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-25970.pdf)
5. 20 Countries Adopt First-Ever Global Technical Regulation on Auto Safety
The Washington File has reported that more than 20 countries have adopted the first global technical regulation for motor vehicle safety. According to the Washington File, the U.S.-sponsored regulation will improve door locks and door-retention systems to help prevent injury and death due to passenger ejection. The Washington File states that vehicles that are not produced in accordance with this regulatory standard cannot be exported into countries that are party to the agreement. Additional global regulations covering a wide range of vehicle safety issues are also in discussion and under construction. (Washington File Pub 11/22/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/usinfo/Archive/2004/Nov/19-137575.html)
6. APEC Ministers Focus on Improving IPR Protection in Asia Pacific Region
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. has achieved Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministers' support for a program in 2005 to reduce piracy and trade in counterfeit goods, address online piracy issues, and increase cooperation and capacity building to help countries in the Asia Pacific strengthen their intellectual property rights (IPR) regimes. (USTR Press Release, dated 11/19/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Fact_Sheets/2004/asset_upload_file601_6889.pdf)
7. WTO Interim Ruling Goes Against E.U. Protection of Regional Names
The Washington Post has reported that the U.S. and Australia prevailed in an interim ruling by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in a dispute over protection given by the European Union (EU) to its regional goods (e.g. Champagne, Feta cheese). If the WTO's final ruling goes in favor of the U.S. and Australia, producers around the world would be able to continue using specialist regional names for products not produced in those regions. (Washington Post Pub 11/19/04, www.washingtonpost.com)
8. U.S. and U.K. Set Up Transatlantic Enterprise Partnership
The Washington File has reported that the U.S. Treasury Secretary and the British Chancellor of the Exchequer have signed a Transatlantic Enterprise Partnership in London which is aimed at supporting the economic reform agenda and sharing ideas across the Atlantic on how to encourage growth, productivity, and entrepreneurship. (Washington File 11/16/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=November&x=200411161717511CJsamohT0.3578913&t=eur/eur-latest.html)
9. FMC Announces Newly Designed Web Site Will be Available in Jan. 2005
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice announcing, among other things, that its newly designed Web site will be available by the end of January 2005. FMC states that the new Web site will reflect certain organizational changes and contain improved organization, content, and navigational tools. (FMC announcement available at http://www.fmc.gov/INFORMATION%20RE%20AGENCY%20REALIGNMENT.htm)