Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. House Agrees to Senate Version of H.R. 802, Clearing it for the President

2. WTO Considers Proposal to Examine Textile Trade in Post-Quota Era

The World Trade Organization's Council for Trade in Goods agreed to consider a new textiles proposal from Turkey at its next meeting. Turkey is calling for an examination of trade in textiles since the end of quota arrangements in 2005, and stated it had been consulting on this proposal with a number of delegations, including China. (WTO press release, dated 07/01/08, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news08_e/goods_1july08_e.htm)

3. CBP LA Bulletin on e-Allegations

U.S. Customs and Border Protections' Port of Los Angeles issued a Public Bulletin announcing CBP's development of the new online trade violation reporting system - e-Allegation. (Public Bulletin LA08-017, dated 07/07/08, available by emailing BP at documents@brokerpower.com)

4. Free REACH Webinar on July 22nd

The Nonwovens Industry will be holding a free REACH Webinar on July 22, 2008. The new European legislation - known as REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical Substances) - requires all manufacturers who do business in Europe to register all chemicals in their products and show that these chemicals do not harm the environment or health. (Nonwovens Industry Webinar list available at http://www.nonwovens-industry.com/webinars)

5. ILAB Awards for Research on Forced Labor in Production of Goods in Selected Countries

The Labor Department's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) will award up to $1.25 million over three years through a cooperative agreement to a qualified organization and/or association to carry out research in eight countries on forced labor in the production of goods, and to develop strategies to assist governments, industries, and/or third parties in taking action to address these problems. The deadline for submission of applications is August 8, 2008. (ILAB notice, FR Pub 07/08/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-15398.pdf)

6. USTR Calls for Reinvigoration of Regulatory Reform in Japan

U.S. Trade Representative Schwab has announced the results of this year's work under the U.S.-Japan Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative. She also urged Japan to devote greater attention to promoting new structural and regulatory reform measures. A fact sheet was also posted. (USTR press release, dated 07/05/08, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2008/July/USTR_Schwab_Calls_for_Reinvigoration_of_Regulatory_Reform_in_Japan.html)

7. U.S. Small Business Uses 2nd OPIC Loan to Expand Cashmere Production

A U.S. small business, American Wool-Cashmere Inc., which used a loan from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) in 2003 to successfully expand its cashmere wool export operation in Afghanistan, will use a second OPIC loan to provide greater liquidity to its Afghan suppliers, enabling the company to generate greater cashmere exports to Europe and local employment in Afghanistan. (OPIC press release, dated 06/24/08, available at http://www.opic.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/pr062408.asp)

8. BIS Issues 5 Year Export Denial Orders

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued orders denying export privileges to Reza Mohammed Tabib and Terri Tabib denying export privileges for five years, until May 8, 2012. (BIS notice, FR Pub 07/08/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-15306.pdf)

9. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice listing those applying for OTI licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:

FMC notice (FR Pub 06/25/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-14390.pdf