Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued press statements announcing that the House of Representatives and Senate have passed legislation to implement the free trade agreement (FTA) with Oman. The next step is for the President to issue a proclamation. (USTR House release, dated 07/20/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/July/Statement_of_USTR_Susan_C_Schwab_on_House_Passage_of_US-Oman_Free_Trade_Agreement.html, USTR Senate release, dated 6/29/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/June/Statement_of_US_Trade_Representative_Susan_C_Schwab_on_Senate_Passage_of_US-Oman_Free_Trade_Agreement.html)
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1. House and Senate Pass Implementing Legislation for U.S.-Oman FTA
2. FTC Sends Warning Letters to Marketers of Cosmetic Contact Lenses
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a press release announcing that in late June 2006, its staff sent 18 warning letters to online sellers of cosmetic or colored contact lenses. According to the FTC, most of the sellers to whom warning letters were sent claim on their web sites that cosmetic contact lenses are non-prescription or that they do not require a prescription-such advertising claims violate the Contact Lens Rule and are punishable by civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation. (FTC press release, dated 06/30/06, available at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/06/fyi0643.htm)
3. President Continues National Emergency Blocking Property of Certain Persons and Prohibiting Importation of Certain Goods from Liberia
On July 18, 2006, the President issued a notice continuing for one year the national emergency declared in Executive Order (EO) 13348 blocking the property of certain persons and prohibiting the importation of, among other things, round logs and timber products from Liberia. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/27/04 news, 04072715, for BP summary of EO 13348.) (FR Pub 07/20/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-6404.pdf)
4. Chairperson of Vietnam's WTO Negotiations Hopes to Secure Final Agreement in October 2006
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has issued a press release announcing that the Chairperson of Vietnam's membership negotiations aims to secure final agreement at the General Council in October 2006. The WTO indicates that Vietnam's bilateral market access negotiations were completed in May and work is now focusing on translating these deals into detailed commitments. (WTO press release, dated 07/19/06, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news06_e/acc_vietnam_19july06_e.htm)
5. TTB Corrects Proposed Rule on Certification Requirements for Natural Wine
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has issued a correction to its August 2005 proposed rule regarding the certification requirements for imported natural wine. TTB states that it is now correcting an incorrect CFR section number. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/25/05 news, 05082510, for BP summary of the proposed rule, as well as a temporary rule issued at the same time.) (FR Pub 09/08/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-17756.pdf)
6. State Dept Proposes Rule on Publication, Coordination, & Reporting on International Agreements
The State Department has issued a proposed rule to amend 22 CFR Part 181 which covers the coordination, reporting, and publication of international agreements. Written comments are due by July 17, 2006. (State Dept Public Notice 5402, FR Pub 05/18/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7596.pdf.)
7. FDA Releases 3rd Edition of Q&A Regarding Establishment & Maintenance of Records
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice announcing the availability of the guidance for industry entitled, Questions and Answers Regarding the Establishment and Maintenance of Records (Edition 3), which responds to various questions raised about section 306 of the Bioterrorism Act. Compliance dates range from December 2005 to December 2006, depending on a firm's number of employees. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/15/06 news, 06061525, for earlier BP summary on this guidance for industry.) (D/N 2005D-0356, FR Pub 06/29/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-10239.pdf.)
8. BIS Final Rule Amends the DPAS Regulation for Administrative and Technical Corrections
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective July 13, 2006, amending the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) Regulation, at 15 CFR Part 700, in order to make administrative and technical corrections. BIS states that these amendments do not alter the substance or effect of the DPAS regulation. (D/N 060614165-6165-01, FR Pub 07/13/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-6123.pdf.)
9. Coast Guard Announces CTAC's HCTS Meeting
The Coast Guard issued a notice announcing that the Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) Subcommittee on Hazardous Cargo Transportation Security (HCTS) will meet on July 26, 2006 to discuss various issues relating to the marine transportation of hazardous materials in bulk. See Coast Guard notice for information on other meetings. (D/N USCG-2006-25378, FR Pub 07/20/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-11488.pdf.)