Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

July 8, 2008 |Top News

On June 26, 2008, the Senate passed its version of H.R. 802, the Maritime Pollution Prevention Act, which would require the Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency to prescribe regulations to implement vessel air emission standards and requirements that are outlined under Annex VI to the MARPOL Convention. The House passed its version of H.R. 802 on March 26, 2007. (Senate Commerce Committee press release, dated 06/27/08, available at http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=82f3560a-d664-42ec-82af-87a9d0ab0fec&Month=6&Year=2008.)

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1. Senate Passed Maritime Pollution Prevention Act on June 26, 2008

2. CBP Los Angeles Public Bulletin Lists Import Team Assignments

CBP's Port of Los Angeles issued a Public Bulletin (LA08-016, dated 06/25/08) on the assignment of merchandise to import specialist teams at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport. Bulletin available via email by sending to documents@brokerpower.com.

3. BIS Extends Recruitment Deadline for Emerging Technology and Research Committee

The Bureau of Industry and Security is extending its notice of private sector recruitment for its Emerging Technology and Research Advisory Committee (ETRAC) that will advise Commerce on emerging technologies and research from a dual-use perspective, etc. BIS decided to establish ETRAC based on public comments on the Commerce Control List (CCL) and the recent Deemed Export Advisory Committee (DEAC) Report. Responses to recruitment are due by July 22, 2008. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/30/08 news, 08063099 4, for earlier BP summary.)(FR Pub 06/26/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-14494.pdf )

4. ITA Issues May 2008 Steel Fact Sheet

The ITA posted the May 2008 monthly steel fact sheet. Preliminary data shows that overall steel imports in May 2008 decreased 17.71 percent from April 2008, and decreased 25% from May 2007. (Fact sheet, dated 06/25/08, available at http://www.trade.gov/press/press_releases/2008/steel_062508.asp )

5. APHIS Proposes Rule on Importation of Cooked Pork Skins

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a proposed rule to amend the regulations to allow for the importation of cooked pork skins from regions affected with foot-and-mouth disease, swine vesicular disease, African swine fever, and classical swine fever under certain conditions. Comments must be received on or before September 2, 2008. (APHIS proposed rule, D/N APHIS-2008-0032, FR Pub 07/02/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-15014.pdf.)

6. FDA Seeks Volunteers to Submit Quality Info for Biotechnology Products

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a notice seeking volunteers from pharmaceutical companies to participate in a pilot program involving the submission of quality (chemistry, manufacturing, and controls) information for biotechnology products in an Expanded Change Protocol. Submit written and electronic requests to participate in the pilot program by September 30, 2009. Comments on this pilot program can be submitted until December 31, 2008. (FDA notice, D/N FDA-2008-N-0355, FR Pub 07/02/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-14999.pdf.)

7. NHTSA Draft EIS for Certain Fuel Economy Standards

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for model year 2011-2015 passenger cars and light trucks, and a reasonable range of alternative standards. A public hearing on the draft EIS will be held on August 4, 2008. Comments on the draft are due by August 18, 2008. (NHTSA notice, D/N NHTSA-2008-0060, FR Pub 07/02/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/08-1406.pdf.)

8. OMB Announces All Scorecard Depts/Agencies Met IPv6 Deadline

The Office of Management and Budget announced that all scorecard departments and agencies met the OMB's Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) deadline to report successful demonstration of IPv6 capability by June 30, 2008. (OMB press release, dated 07/01/08, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/pubpress/2008/070108_scorecard.html.)