Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
On July 31, 2008, the Senate passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (H.R. 4040) conference report, clearing it for the President. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/31/08 news, 08073110, for BP summary of the H.R. 4040 conference report.) (Congressional Record, dated 07/31/08 news, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080731))
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
1. Senate Passes CPSC Bill Conference Report
2. WCO Training on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy
The WCO announced the availability of a course on combating counterfeiting and privacy. The course includes online e-learning modules and a face-to-face session that will be held on September 15-17, 2008 at the WCO headquarters in Brussels. (WTO notice available at http://www.premierairtime.com/mailing/Campaigns/IPR2008-1/IPR2008-1-post.html.)
3. EPA Issues ANPR on Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Environmental Protection Agency issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking presenting information relevant to, and soliciting public comment on, how to respond to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Massachusetts v. EPA. In that case, the Supreme Court ruled that the Clean Air Act authorizes regulation of greenhouse gases because they meet the definition of air pollutant under the Act. Comments must be received on or before November 28, 2008. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/23/08 news, 08072310, for BP summary of ANPR.) (ANPR, EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0318, FR Pub 07/30/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-16432.pdf.)
4. FMCSA Posts Supplemental Documents for HOS Interim Final Rule
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a notice advising the public that it is placing in the public docket four additional documents concerning hours of service (HOS) for commercial motor vehicle drivers. FMCSA published an interim final rule on this issue on December 17, 2007. (FMCSA notice, D/N FMCSA-2004-19608, FR Pub 07/30/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-17409.pdf.)
5. IRS Proposes Regulations Relating to Credits/Payments for Certain Fuel Mixtures
The Internal Revenue Service is proposing regulations relating to credits and payments for alcohol mixtures, biodiesel mixtures, renewable diesel mixtures, alternative fuel mixtures, and alternative fuel sold for use or used as a fuel, as well as proposing regulations relating to the definition of gasoline and diesel fuel. Comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by October 27, 2008. (Proposed rule, REG-155087-05, Fr Pub 07/29/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-17270.pdf.)
6. House Passes Bill on Animal Drug User Fee Amendments
On July 30, 2008, the House passed H.R. 6432, amended, to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise and extend the animal drug user fee program. (Congressional Record, dated 07/30/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080730).)
7. House Hearing on Fresh Produce Traceability
On July 30, 2008, the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture concluded a hearing to review legal and technological capacity for full traceability in fresh produce after hearing testimony from U.S. government and public witnesses. (Congressional Record, dated 07/30/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080730))
8. House Hearing on Quadrennial Homeland Security Review
On July 30, 2008, the House Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight concluded its hearing entitled "The Quadrennial Homeland Security Review" after hearing testimony from Department of Homeland Security and public witnesses. (Congressional Record, dated 07/30/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080730))
9. House Passes Bill to Extend Certain State Department Authorities
On July 30, 2008, the House passed H.R. 6456, amended, to provide for extensions of certain authorities of the Department of State. (Congressional Record, dated 07/30/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080730))
10. APHIS to Issue Permits for Imports of Dragon Fruit from Vietnam
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a notice advising the public of its decision to begin issuing permits for the importation into the continental U.S. of dragon fruit from Vietnam effective July 30, 2008. (D/N APHIS-2008-0065, FR Pub 07/30/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-17476.pdf.)
11. FTC Extends Comment Period on Proposed Rescission of Cigarette Test Method Guidance
The Federal Trade Commission has extended the date by which comments must be submitted concerning its proposal to rescind FTC guidance that it is generally not a violation of the FTC Act to make factual statements of the tar and nicotine yields of cigarettes when statements of such yields are supported by testing conducted pursuant to the Cambridge Filter Method. Comments must be submitted on or before September 12, 2008. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/21/08 news, 08072199 7, for BP summary of initial request for comments.)(FTC notice, Project No. P944509, FR Pub 07/30/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-17421.pdf.)
12. FDA Seeks Comments on Implementing Provision Prohibiting Interstate Shipment of Certain Foods
The Food and Drug Administration is requesting comments relevant to the implementation of section 912 of the FDA Amendments Act of 2007 (FDAAA). Section 912 of FDAAA establishes section 301(ll) in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which prohibits the interstate shipment of certain foods to which an approved drug or a licensed biological product has been added. Section 301(ll) also prohibits the interstate shipment of foods containing an added drug or a biological product that has been the subject of substantial clinical investigations, the existence of which has been made public. FDA requests that interested persons submit data, information, and comments that will help provide a context for the FDA's decisions on implementation of this provision. Comments are due by October 27, 2008. (Notice, D/N FDA-2008-N-0389, FR Pub 07/30/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-17356.pdf.)
13. OFAC Designates Burmese State-Owned Enterprises
The Office of Foreign Assets Control announced financial sanctions against ten companies owned or controlled by the Government of Burma or its officials, including companies involved in the gem-mining industry. These companies are now on OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List. The action coincides with the President's signing of the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008. (OFAC notice, dated 07/29/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20080729.shtml.)
14. DOT Secretary Unveils New Approach for U.S. Highway, Transit Systems
Department of Transportation Secretary Peters unveiled the Bush Administration's new plan to refocus, reform and renew the national approach to highway and transit systems in the U.S., The Secretary said the plan sets a course for reforming U.S. transportation programs by outlining a renewed federal focus on maintaining and improving the Interstate highway system, instead of diverting funds for wasteful pet projects and for programs clearly not federal priority areas like restoring lighthouses. (DOT press release 103-08, dated 07/29/08, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot10308.htm.)
15. Commerce Official Kicks-Off Nat'l Sustainable Manufacturing Tours
U.S. Commerce Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services Sutton kicked off the Sustainable Manufacturing American Regional Tours (SMART) at Sunnen Products Company, a machining systems manufacturer in St. Louis, Mo. SMART seeks to work with U.S. businesses to share successful and easily-adopted sustainable manufacturing practices that reduce natural resource use and energy consumption while enhancing profitability. (Commerce press release, dated 07/28/08, available at http://www.commerce.gov/s/groups/public/@doc/@os/@opa/documents/content/prod01_006867.pdf.)
16. BIS Expands Blue Airways Denial Order to Two UAE Related Persons
The Bureau of Industry and Security is expanding its Temporary Denial Order of export privileges for Blue Airways FZE and a number of other Blue Airways entities to: Blue Airways FZE, aka Blue Airways, G22 Dubai Airport Free Zone, P.O. Box 393754 DAFZA, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Blue Airways Riqa Road, Dubai 52404, UAE, as they are related to Blue Airways, of Yerevan, Armenia. (FR Pub 07/24/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-16935.pdf )
17. BIS Recruiting Private Sector Members for Six TACs
BIS is recruiting private-sector members for six Technical Advisory Committees that advise the Department of Commerce on the technical parameters for export controls applicable to dual-use commodities and technology and on the administration of those controls. This Notice of Recruitment will be open for one year from its date of publication in the Federal Register.(FR Pub 07/24/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-16960.pdf)
18. BIS Materials Processing Equipment TAC to Hold Partially Open Meeting
BIS' Materials Processing Equipment Technical Advisory Committee will hold a partially open meeting on August 7, 2008 in Washington, DC. (FR Pub 07/24/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-16959.pdf )
19. FTA Manufacturing Surplus Fact Sheet
The Commerce Department has posted a fact sheet entitled "FTA Manufacturing Trade Surplus Fact Sheet." Commerce Department has also issued a press release announcing that the U.S. is running a trade surplus in manufactured exports with 14 free trade agreement (FTA) partners. (Commerce Dept fact sheet, available at http://www.commerce.gov/s/groups/public/@doc/@os/@opa/documents/content/prod01_006839.pdf and 07/23/08 press release available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_006838)
20. U.S. Launches Renewable Energy Conference Report
As a follow-up to the successful Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC 2008), the U.S. announced the launch of the WIREC Conference Report. The WIREC 2008 report will be posted on-line at www.WIREC2008.gov and is comprehensive overview of the three-day March conference which focused on cross-cutting renewable energy policy issues: research and development; market adoption and finance; agriculture, forestry, and rural development; and involvement of sub-national authorities. (USDA press release, dated 07/22/08, available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=FPC_Press_Release072208.xml)
21. FAS' Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
FAS issued the following GAIN reports:
Bulgaria Grain and Feed: Market Update
Canada Agricultural Situation: This Week in Canadian Agriculture, Issue 21
Kenya FAIRS Country Report: Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards
Poland FAIRS Country Report: Country Specific Annual, see also EU-27 FAIRS from USEU Brussels