The Federal Trade Commission is proposing changes to its energy-use labeling rules, including an extension of “lighting facts” label requirements to non-general service light bulbs. Under the FTC’s proposed rule, lighting facts labels would be required for decorative consumer bulbs not currently covered by label requirements. The FTC would also set new marking requirements for decorative bulbs. Other provisions of the FTC’s proposed rule would change label reporting requirements, the use of hang tags, and air conditioner and ceiling fan labeling. Comments on the proposed rule are due Aug. 18.
The International Trade Commission published notices in the June 17 Federal Register on the following AD/CV injury, Section 337 patent, and other trade proceedings (any notices that warrant a more detailed summary will be in another ITT article):
The number of Section 337 patent investigations at the International Trade Commission has dropped considerably since a spike in 2011, according to an ITC report issued on June 10. The ITC began 69 investigations in 2011, after initiating about 30 in 2009 and nearly 60 in 2010. In contrast, the ITC began 42 investigations in 2013, up from about 40 in 2012. In its report, the ITC noted the controversy over patent cases brought by “non-practicing entities” that do not manufacture the product under investigation. But a look at the data shows that, since 2006, only 20 percent of Section 337 complaints were filed by non-manufacturing companies, said the ITC. They succeeded in getting only four exclusion orders banning imports of infringing products, and in all four cases the company developed the technology at issue instead of buying the patent, it said.
The Commerce Department published notices in the June 17 Federal Register on the following AD/CV duty proceedings (any notices that announce changes to AD/CV duty rates, scope, affected firms, or effective dates will be detailed in another ITT article):
The Commerce Department issued the preliminary results of its antidumping duty administrative review on circular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes from Taiwan (A-583-008). The agency preliminarily calculated a zero percent AD duty rate for Shin Yang Steel Co., Ltd.. If the agency's finding is continued in the final results, importers of circular welded pipe from Shin Yang entered between May 2012 and April 2013 will not be assessed AD duties, and future entries from Shin Yang will not be subject to an AD cash deposit requirement until further notice.
The Commerce Department issued the final results of the antidumping duty administrative review on lightweight thermal paper from Germany (A-428-840). The only company under review, Papierfabrik August Koehler, was found not to have dumped subject merchandise during the period of review, and so was assigned a zero percent AD duty rate. Entries of subject merchandise from Koehler between Nov. 1, 2011 and Oct. 31, 2012 will be liquidated without any assessment of AD duties, and future entries of lightweight thermal paper exported by Koehler will not be subject to AD duty cash deposit requirements until further notice. The new AD duty cash deposit rate takes effect June 18.
President Barack Obama on named Meredith Broadbent as chairwoman of the International Trade Commission effective June 17, said the ITC (here). Broadbent has served as a commissioner since September 2012. She replaces outgoing chairman Irving Williamson, whose ITC term expired on June 16. Current commissioner Dean Pinkert was named vice-chairman (here).
On June 16 the Food and Drug Administration posted new and revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:
During the week of June 9-15, the Food and Drug Administration modified the following existing Import Alerts (not otherwise listed on the FDA's new and revised import alerts page) on the detention without physical examination and/or surveillance of:
The Food and Drug Administration will allow more time for comments on the implementation of new reporting requirements under the Food Safety Modernization Act. Under FSMA, human and animal food facilities that are required to register with FDA must submit consumer-oriented information for use in the agency’s Reportable Food Registry. FDA in March asked for comments on the information that should be provided and how that information should be passed onto consumers (see 14032516). It is now extending the period for submitting comments until Aug. 18.