U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that on March 12, 2012 it began distributing the portion of the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 (CDSOA, commonly referred to as the Byrd Amendment) funds1 that it did not disburse in April 2011 due to pending litigation. According to CBP, the distribution process will continue until each fiscal year from 2006 through 2010 has been completed. CBP states that, in the event that it does not ultimately prevail in the ongoing litigation, affected domestic producers may be required to return some or all of the funds they have received.
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a proposed rule, that would amend 40 CFR Parts 260 and 261 to revise certain provisions on cathode ray tubes (CRTs) that are exported for reuse and recycling. The proposed changes include, among other things: (1) a definition for CRT exporter; (2) more detailed notification instructions for both broken (for recycling) and intact (for reuse) used CRTs; and (3) an annual reporting requirement for exporters of broken used CRTs for recycling. Comments on the proposed rule are due by May 14, 2012.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has revised and expanded its 2005 “Guidance for Certificates of Reimbursement” for antidumping (AD) duties in order to provide updated information on protests, the option for paperless filing using ACE, and provide additional information regarding blanket certificates, related parties, deemed liquidations, and certificates for companion countervailing (CV) duties.
The Bureau of Industry and Security’s Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee (RPTAC) held a partially open meeting on March 6, 2012 to discuss, among other things, the importance of voluntary self-disclosure as a mitigating factor in enforcement decisions, and steps taken to expedite procedures when no enforcement action is taken.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Food will be meeting on April 23, 2012 from 1-3 p.m. in Washington, DC. For those who wish to participate, the call-in number is 1-888-858-2144 and the participant code is 6208658.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service reports that the U.S. Codex Office conducted its fifth colloquium with Codex Coordinating Committee for Africa (CCAFRICA) member countries in Dakar, Senegal on March 5-7, 2012. The colloquium provided an opportunity for an exchange of views between the U.S. Delegates and 41 delegates from the region in preparation for the upcoming meetings of the committees on General Principles (CCGP), Food Additives (CCFA), and Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF).
The International Trade Commission has announced that it is considering what the effects of a general exclusion order directed against certain handbags, luggage, accessories, and packaging thereof (337-TA-754) would have upon the public welfare, competition conditions in the U.S., and U.S. consumers, in light of a March 5, 2012 Administrative Law Judge recommended determination on remedy and bonding. Comments are due by April 4, 2012.
The International Trade Commission is asking for comments by approximately March 23, 2012 on an amended patent complaint filed on behalf of Immersion Corporation on March 2, 2012, which alleges violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the U.S., the sale for importation, and the sale within the U.S. after importation of certain mobile electronic devices incorporating haptics (D/N 2875). ITC is asking for comments on any public interest issues that might affect ITC consideration, including whether the issuance of an exclusion order and/or cease and desist order would impact the public interest.
According to the International Trade Commission, a section 337 patent complaint on certain consumer electronics, including mobile phones and tablets, was filed on behalf of Pragmatus AV, LLC on March 13, 2012. Proposed respondents are:
The International Trade Administration has issued the final results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on 1-hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-diphosphonic acid from India (A-533-847) which sets the AD cash deposit rate for one manufacturer/exporter. This rate, which is effective March 15, 2012, is expected to be implemented by U.S. Customs and Border Protection soon.