The International Trade Administration issued the final results of the antidumping duty administrative review of purified carboxymethylcellulose from Finland (A-405-803) for one company, CP Kelco. The new rate is effective Feb. 20, and will be implemented by CBP soon.
The International Trade Administration issued the final results of the antidumping duty administrative review of diamond sawblades and parts thereof from Korea (A-580-855). The final results had been long-delayed; after the December 2011 preliminary results, the ITA began investigating fraud allegations related to false country of origin markings against two Korean companies. The investigations also affected the timetable for the administrative review of diamond sawblades from China. In the end, the ITA found the data submitted by the two companies reliable.
Antidumping and countervailing duty orders on corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from Germany and Korea will end after the International Trade Commission voted that no injury to domestic industry would result from revocation. The vote was unanimous. As a result of the sunset review determination, the International Trade Administration will revoke the AD duty orders on corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from Germany (A-428-815) and Korea (A-580-816), and the countervailing duty order on corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from Korea (C-580-818). The revocations will take effect on the date five years after the last continuation of the AD/CV duty orders, Feb. 14, 2012.
The Environmental Protection Agency is holding public meetings in Arlington, Va., Chicago, and Denver on a national electronic manifest system for information on shipment of hazardous waste. EPA is looking for input on what expectations and technical requirements it should consider as it begins the planning stage of the e-Manifest system. The Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act, signed into law Oct. 5, authorizes EPA to implement an e-Manifest system by 2015, and requires that EPA issue regulations allowing electronic filing of manifests by Oct. 5, 2013. The e-Manifests will be deemed the legal equivalent to the Uniform Hazardous Waste Paper Manifest Form and Continuation Sheet (EPA Form 8700-22 and 8700-22a). Electronic filing will be optional.
The Environmental Protection Agency issued its periodic status report on premanufacture notices (PMN), test marketing exemption (TME) applications, and notices of commencement (NOC) received from companies that intend to import or manufacture new chemicals. Comments are due by March 22, and must be identified by PMN or TME number. The status report covers the period from Dec. 1, 2012, to Jan. 11, 2013. See EPA’s notice for the list of PMNs, TMEs, and NOCs received.
The Environmental Protection Agency posted the results of 2012 Chemical Data Reporting to its website. The database contains reports on 7,674 chemicals, including 354 that were used in children’s products, 1,704 used in consumer products, and 3,073 for industrial use only. Manufacturers and importers are required to report data every four years when production or import quantity thresholds are met. The 2012 database marks the first Chemical Data Reporting period required under an August 2011 EPA final rule, and covers calendar year 2011.
The Food and Drug Administration is asking for comments by May 21 on a request to change the standard of identity for milk and 17 other dairy products to allow use of artificial sweeteners in flavorings used in milk. The petition, filed by the International Dairy Foods Association and the National Milk Producers Federation, seeks to amend several standards of identity in 21 CFR 131 to allow use of “any safe and suitable sweetener” in optional characterizing flavoring ingredients used in milk. The provisions currently allow use of a “nutritive sweetener.” The amendments would allow use of aspartame in flavored milk and milk products, promoting more healthful eating practices and reducing childhood obesity, the petitioners said.
On Feb. 15 the Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced changes Feb. 15 to Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) electronic manuals. While some changes are minor, other changes may affect the admissibility of the plant products, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
The Foreign Trade Zones Board issued the following notices for Feb. 19: