Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

December 23, 2009 |Top News

Representatives from the U.S. and Jordan convened a meeting of the Joint Committee of the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement on December 15, 2009. At the Joint Committee meeting, officials discussed economic conditions in both countries, reviewed advances in bilateral trade and investment since the FTA entered into force, and discussed the development of bilateral cooperation in areas including: general economic cooperation, investment, agriculture, innovation, IPR protection and enforcement, customs issues, environmental and labor issues, and capacity building. (Press release, dated 12/18/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/december/ustr-and-jordan-hold-fta-joint-committee-meeting)

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1. U.S. and Jordan Hold FTA Joint Committee Meeting

2. USTR "Year in Review"

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has posted its 2009 "Year in Review." (Review, posted 12/21/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/2009review)

3. AAFA Comments on China WTO Compliance Report

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has released a statement following the publication of the 2009 Report to Congress on China's World Trade

Organization (WTO) Compliance by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The Report to Congress on China's WTO Compliance is a required annual assessment of China's compliance with its accession commitments to the WTO. (Press release, dated 12/22/09, available at http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/userfiles/file/pressreleases/122209aafacommentsonchinawtocompliancereport.pdf.)

4. OMB Approves PHMSA Proposed Rule on Hazmat Transport of Lithium Batteries

OMB has approved a Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration proposed rule to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations to comprehensively address the safe transportation of lithium cells and batteries. (Rule, completed 12/15/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200910&RIN=2137-AE44)

5. FMCSA Submits Final Rule on Electronic on-Board Recorders to OMB for Approval

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has submitted to OMB a final rule to incorporate new performance standards for electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) installed in commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) manufactured 2 years after the effective date of the final rule. On-board hours-of-service recording devices meeting FMCSAs current requirements and voluntarily installed in CMVs manufactured before that date could continue to be used for the remainder of the service life of those CMVs if certain requirements were met. (Rule, received 12/17/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200910&RIN=2126-AA89)

6. DOE Submits Final Rule to OMB on Energy Efficiency Standards for Commercial Clothes Washers

The Energy Department has submitted to OMB a final rule on energy efficiency standards for commercial clothes washers. (DOE notes it is separating the commercial clothes washers energy conservation standard from the cooking products rulemaking and plans to issue standards for commercial clothes washers by the statutory deadline.) (Rule, received 12/18/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200910&RIN=1904-AB93)

7. DOD Submits Final Rule to OMB on Finland Exception to Buy American Requirements

DOD has submitted a final rule to OMB on a public interest exception to the Buy American Act for Finland. (Rule, received 12/18/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200910&RIN=1904-AB93)

8. DOD Submits Final Rule to OMB on Acquisition of Para-aramid Fibers and Yarns Mfged in Another Country

The Defense Department has submitted to OMB a final rule to amend the Defense FAR Supplement to implement a determination made by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics with regard to the acquisition of items containing para-aramid fibers and yarns manufactured in a foreign country. The determination authorizes DoD to acquire articles containing para-aramid fibers and yarns manufactured in foreign countries that have entered into a defense memorandum of understanding with the United States. (Rule, received 12/18/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200910&RIN=0750-AG13)

9. GAO Report on Softwood Lumber Act Reporting Requirements

The Government Accountability Office has issued its report to congressional committees entitled "Softwood Lumber Act of 2008: Customs and Border Protection Established Required Procedures, but Agencies Report Little Benefit from New Requirements." (Report, posted 12/18/09, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10220.pdf)

10. DHS is Extending the REAL ID "Material Compliance" Deadline

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a press release announcing that a large majority of states and territories - 46 of 56 - have informed DHS that they will not be able to meet the Dec. 31 REAL ID material compliance deadline. In order to ensure that the millions of Americans traveling this holiday season are not disrupted, DHS is extending the Dec. 31 REAL ID material compliance deadline. The May 10, 2011, deadline for full compliance remains in effect, and the Department will continue to work closely with states to meet this deadline. However, DHS states that Congress must act to address systemic problems with the REAL ID Act to advance U.S. security interests over the long term. (Press release, dated 12/18/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1261170524591.shtm)

11. BIS Submits Final Rule to OMB to Revise License Exception GOV

The Bureau of Industry and Security has submitted a final rule to the Office of Management and Budget in order to revise an existing license exception to provide a new authorization for exports and reexports of items subject to the EAR when those items are intended for use on the International Space Station (ISS). (Rule, received 12/17/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200910&RIN=0694-AE52)

12. Treasury Designates Insurgent Group for Posing Threat to Stability in Iraq

On December 22, 2009, the Department of the Treasury designated the Iraq-based insurgent group Jaysh Rijal al-Tariq al-Naqshabandi (JRTN) for threatening the peace and stabilization efforts in Iraq. JRTN has committed, directed, supported, or posed a significant risk of committing acts of violence against Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces and is being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13438, which targets insurgent and militia groups and their supporters. This designation freezes any assets that JRTN may have under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits U.S. persons from conducting financial or commercial transactions with the entity. (Press release TG-500, dated 12/22/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg500.htm.)

13. FDA Posts Enforcement Report for December 16th

The Food and Drug Administration has posted its Enforcement Report for the week of December 16, 2009. The report contains information on actions taken in connection with agency regulatory activities. (Report, posted 12/16/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/EnforcementReports/ucm194865.htm)

14. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:

Product: Reason	Company	Release
Dorel Infant Car Seat/Carriers: Fall Hazard	Dorel Juvenile Group Inc. (IN)	10-084
Vicks Dayquil Cold & Flu 24-Count Bonus Pack Liquicaps: Failure to Meet Child-Resistant Closure Requirement	The Procter & Gamble Co. OH)	10-085

(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereldec09.html