On February 15, 2012, the Federal Maritime Commission announced that five compromise agreements have been reached for a total of $490,000 in civil penalties for alleged violations of the Shipping Act. The agreements were reached with eight non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) and related companies providing ocean transportation services.
The Federal Maritime Commission will hold a meeting on February 22, 2012, to receive staff recommendations and a draft proposed rule regarding the Rules of Practice and Procedure under 46 CFR Part 502, hear a staff briefing on economic and trade conditions, and discuss the Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) Licensing Requirement.
The Bureau of Industry and Security announced that its Transportation and Related Equipment Technical Advisory Committee will be holding a partially open meeting on March 1, 2012, in Washington, DC. The Committee advises the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Export Administration with respect to technical questions that affect the level of export controls applicable to transportation and related equipment or technology. During the open session, the committee will hear status reports by working group chairs. The open session will be accessible via teleconference to 20 participants on a first come, first serve basis. Requests to join the conference are due by February 23, 2012.
The Bureau of Industry and Security announced that its President’s Export Council Subcommittee on Export Administration (PECSEA) will be holding an open meeting on March 1-2, 2012, in Los Angeles, CA. PECSEA advises the Department of Commerce on matters pertinent to portions of the Export Administration Act, as amended, including the Obama administration’s export control reform initiative, policies encouraging trade, and policies controlling trade for national security and foreign policy reasons. The subcommittee will hear comments and papers by the public, review a field hearing, discuss the status of the 2012 workplan, hold subcommittee breakout sessions, and tour the Port of Los Angeles. A limited number of seats will be available for the public sessions on both days.
The Census Bureau has issued AES Broadcast #2012013 as part of a new series of monthly educational broadcast messages on the Automated Export System. This month Census is highlighting AES error codes 503 (License Code Missing) and 624 (Schedule B/ HTS Number Outdated -- Cannot Be Used). The broadcast covers the reasons for these error messages and how to resolve them. Email documents@brokerpower.com for a copy of the February 14, 2012 broadcast.
The International Trade Commission is considering the issuance of a limited exclusion order and/or cease and desist order directed against American Automotive Parts, Inc. (AAP), in light of a January 14, 2012, finding that AAP is in default1 in the ITC’s section 337 proceedings for certain starter motors and alternators (337-TA-755).
The International Trade Commission has adopted a plan for the retrospective review, every two years, of certain existing ITC regulations pursuant to Executive Order 135791. ITC has also preliminarily identified for its first review regulations governing AD/CV injury investigations, AGOA “abundant supply” investigations (the underlying law for which has been repealed), and section 337 IPR infringement investigations, among others.
The Agricultural Marketing Service is soliciting comments on its proposal to create revised U.S. Standards for Grades of the following fruits and vegetables.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is allowing an additional 30 days, until March 8, 2012, to comment on its draft policy on the interpretation of the phrase “significant portion of its range” in the Endangered Species Act’s definitions of “endangered species” and “threatened species”.
The Food Safety Inspection Service reports that the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission concluded its 66th Session on February 9, 2012, in Geneva, making progress on the 2013-2019 Strategic Plan and agreeing to develop a discussion paper for the Codex Commission on the need for enhanced funding for the expert committees that provide scientific advice to Codex.