Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
CNN Money reports that tough safety measures implemented in response to the high-profile toy recalls in 2007 will drive up the cost of China-made toys by at least 10% in 2008. (CNN Money, dated 01/07/08, available at http://money.cnn.com/2008/01/07/news/international/bc.apfn.as.fin.hongkong.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008010713)
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1. Toy Prices Predicted to Rise 10% in 2008 Due to Tougher Safety Measures
2. 16 States Sue EPA for Blocking CA's Right to Set Own Tailpipe Standards
eTrucker reports that California and fifteen other states, who have moved to adopt its tailpipe standards, are suing the Environmental Protection Agency for blocking California's effort to implement its own emissions standards. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/04/08 news, 08010499 3, for BP summary of the EPA's denial of a waiver for California.) (eTrucker, dated 01/04/08, available at http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=65733)
3. Upcoming West Coast Longshore Labor Talks Expected to be Uneventful
American Shipper reports that the March contract negotiations between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) for the six-year dockworker contract due to expire in July are expected to be uneventful and not interrupt the flow of cargo as they have previously. (American Shipper, dated January 2008, www.americanshipper.com)
4. USTR Corrects Three Procurement Thresholds Under WTO, NAFTA, FTAs
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a notice correcting three of the procurement thresholds listed in its December 14, 2007 notice of calendar years 2008-2009 procurement thresholds under the World Trade Organization, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and various U.S. free trade agreements. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/08/08 news, 08010899 6, for BP summary of the USTR's December 14, 2007 notice.) (USTR correction notice, FR Pub 12/28/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-25330.pdf)
5. EPA Extends Certain Exemption for Production/Import of Class I Ozone-Depleting Substances
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule, effective December 27, 2007, which extends the global laboratory and analytical use exemption for the production and import of class I ozone-depleting substances through December 31, 2011, consistent with the recent actions by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. (EPA final rule, D/N EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0384, FR Pub 12/27/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-25091.pdf)
6. AMS Final Rule Amends NOP National List
The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final rule, effective December 13, 2007, amending the USDA's National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances by adding two defined terms and nine substances, along with any restrictive annotations, and a category of substances. (D/N AMS-TM-07-0123; TM-03-04, FR Pub 12/12/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-23915.pdf)
7. DHS Updates Membership of the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a notice which provides (i) the quarterly Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council (CIPAC) membership update, (ii) instructions on how the public can obtain the CIPAC membership roster and other Council information, and (iii) State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Government Coordinating Council information and their membership within CIPAC. CIPAC facilitates interaction between government officials and community representatives of owners and operators for each of the critical infrastructure/key resource sectors identified in the National Infrastructure Protection Plan. (D/N DHS-2006-0079, FR Pub 12/19/2007, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24632.pdf)
8. TSA Announces TWIC Enrollment Dates for Several Ports
The Transportation Security Administration has issued a notice of the dates for the beginning of the initial enrollment for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) for the Ports of Peoria and Joliet, IL; Memphis, TN; and Buffalo, NY. TWIC enrollment in Peoria and Joliet, IL will begin on December 20, 2007; Memphis, TN on December 27, 2007; and Buffalo, NY on December 28, 2007. (D/Ns TSA-2006-24191; Coast Guard-2006-24196, FR Pub 12/14/2007, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24253.pdf)
9. Census Posts Dates for AESPcLink 2008 Certification Workshop Schedule
The U.S. Census Bureau's Foreign Trade Division has issued an Automated Export System broadcast message providing the specific dates and locations for its 2008 Winter/Spring AESPcLink certification workshop schedule. (Broadcast No. 2008002, dated 01/08/08, available by emailing BP at documents@brokerpower.com)
10. PLI Announces Legal Issues Program on Doing Business in India
The Practising Law Institute has announced an upcoming program entitled, "Doing Business in India 2008: Critical Legal Issues for U.S. Companies," to provide guidance on issues including mergers and acquisitions, foreign direct investment, private equity, capital markets, intellectual property protection, outsourcing, and regulatory and litigation matters. The program will take place in New York City February 13th, and in San Francisco on March 5th, and will also be available by live webcast on March 5th. (Information and registration available at http://www.pli.edu/product/program_viewall.asp?ptid=511)
11. FSIS Revises Certain Export Requirements, Eligible Meat Exporters
The Food and Safety Inspection Service has posted revised export requirements for Japan, China, and Taiwan, revised as of January 8, 2008, and for Cuba and the European Union, revised as of January 7, 2008. FSIS has also updated the list of eligible plants certified to export meat, poultry and egg products for Canada as of January 3, 2008. (Revised export requirements available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Index_of_Import_Requirements_by_Country/) (Updated list of eligible export plants for Canada available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Canada_establishments.pdf)
12. BIS Renews Order Denying Export Privileges to Cirrus Electronics for Another 180 Days
The Bureau of Industry and Security has renewed for an additional 180 days a temporary order denying certain export privileges to Cirrus Electronics LLC; Cirrus Electronics Pte Ltd; Cirrus Electronics Marketing (P) Ltd; Parthasarathy Sudarshan; Mythili Gopal; Akn Prasad; and Sampath Sundar. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/14/07 news, 07061499 4, for BP summary of the initial order.) (FR Pub 12/14/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24237.pdf)