Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. U.S. Expects to Complete Free Trade Talks with Malaysia by June 2008

2. U.S.-Canada Pre-Clearance Negotiations Called Off

World Trade reports that negotiations between the U.S. and Canada to allow each other's customs agencies to conduct pre-clearance operations along the U.S. northern border as a way to expedite cargo flows have been called off. According to the article, pre-clearance, also referred to as reverse inspection, was part of the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Security and Prosperity Partnership of 2004. (World Trade, dated August 2007)

3. Ghana Became 131st Contracting Party to HSC in June

According to a World Customs Organization press release, on June 29, 2007 the Republic of Ghana became the 131st Contracting Party to the Harmonized System Convention (HSC). The HSC will enter into force in Ghana on January 1, 2009, unless Ghana decides to specify an earlier date. (WCO press release, dated 07/11/07, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/En/Press/press.html)

4. FDA Confirms July 20 Effective Date for Safe Use of D&C Black No. 3

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a notice confirming the effective date of July 20, 2007 for its final rule amending the color additive regulations to provide for the safe use of D&C Black No. 3 (bone black, subject to FDA batch certification) as a color additive in eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara, and face powder. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/21/07 news, 07062199 5, for BP summary of the final rule.) (D/N 1995C-0286 (formerly D/N 95C-0286), FR Pub 08/14/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-15831.pdf)

5. FDA Guidance Available on Export of Drugs, Food, Additives, Supplements Etc.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a notice announcing the availability of a guidance entitled ''FDA Guidance for Industry: Exports Under the FDA Export Reform and Enhancement Act of 1996.'' The guidance addresses issues pertaining to the exportation of human drugs, animal drugs, biologics, devices, food, food additives, color additives and dietary supplements under the FDA Export Reform and Enhancement Act. (D/N 1998D-0307, FR Pub 08/14/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-15840.pdf)

6. FDA Posts Various Notices to its Web Site

The Food and Drug Administration has posted the following notices to its Web site:

FDA warning to avoid red yeast rice products promoted, sold on Web sites. FDA has issued a news release warning consumers not to buy or eat three red yeast rice products promoted and sold on Web sites as the products may contain an unauthorized drug that could be harmful to health. The products are promoted as dietary supplements for treating high cholesterol. (FDA news release, dated 08/09/07, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01678.html)

FDA posts various documents regarding furan in foods. FDA has posted two documents regarding furan in foods. The first document presents exploratory data on furan in food: individual food products (contains data collected between July 12, 2006 and September 12, 2006); the second document presents an updated exposure assessment for furan from the consumption of adult and baby foods. (Exploratory data, updated 08/02/07, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/furandat.html; Updated exposure assessment, dated 04/18/07, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/furanexp.html)

7. Company Settles Antiboycott Violations for Furnishing Information to a Boycotted Company

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a press release announcing that QSA Global Inc., formerly AEA Technology QSA Inc., has agreed to pay a $1,600 civil penalty to settle allegations that it furnished one item of prohibited information about another person's business relationship with or in a boycotted country in violation of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), in connection with a 2003 transaction involving the sale of radiography source projectors from the U.S. to Oman. (BIS press release, dated 08/13/07, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2007/antiboycott_violations.html)

8. BIS Denies Export Privileges, Imposes Penalties for Export of Microwave Amplifiers to China

BIS has issued a press release announcing that EHI Group USA, Incorporated, and its principal, Qing Chang Jiang, in his individual capacity, have each agreed to civil penalties in the amount of $17,000 and a five year denial of export privileges to settle charges that EHI conspired with others to export, and knowingly exported, microwave amplifiers to China, which were subject to the jurisdiction of the EAR and controlled for national security and anti-terrorism reasons. (BIS press release, dated 08/13/07, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2007/california.html)

9. FMC Lists OTI Reissuances, Rescissions, and Revocations

The Federal Maritime Commission has issued notices that either reissue ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses, rescind revocations of OTI licenses, or revoke OTI licenses:

FMC notice (FR Pub 08/15/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-15992.pdf