Panelists and a senior administrative official acknowledged that the Inflation Reduction Act agitated Japanese, South Korean and European allies who saw its tax provisions as protectionist, but the politics made it the only way to ramp up U.S. climate ambition, several said.
The Fish and Wildlife Service issued a final rule Oct. 5 listing the Lassics lupine (Lupinus constancei), a plant species native to northern California, as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The rule also designates a critical habitat area. New import and export restrictions set by the agency’s final rule take effect Nov. 6.
The Energy Department is amending its energy efficiency standards for commercial water heating equipment, it said in a final rule released Oct. 5 and effective Dec. 5. The compliance date for the updated standards is Oct. 6, 2026.
The Federal Maritime Commission last week dismissed a charge complaint against Mediterranean Shipping Company lodged by SOFi Paper Products after MSC refunded SOFi for a congestion surcharge that allegedly violated U.S. shipping regulations. The FMC also determined no violations "of the Shipping Act were proven in this proceeding."
An academic and a think tank scholar agreed that, despite the upcoming visit between the EU president and the U.S. president, they don't expect the global arrangement on steel and aluminum negotiations to conclude by their Oct. 31 deadline.
The Bureau of International Labor Affairs, or ILAB, is asking for comments on its recent report on the worst forms of child labor; its list of goods produced by child labor or forced labor; and on Comply Chain, advice for importers on labor compliance. Comments are open until Dec. 15. Comments may lead to the department updating the list, and will be used in preparing next year's report. For the Comply Chain comments, ILAB is asking for "information on current practices of firms, business associations, and other private sector groups to reduce the likelihood of child labor and forced labor in the production of goods."
The Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing a final rule reclassifying the relict darter (Etheostoma chienense), a fish species that occupies the Bayou de Chien stream system in western Kentucky, from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The listing includes a 4(d) rule for this species that prohibits importation and exportation without a permit. The rule becomes effective Oct. 27.
The Energy Department is adopting new energy efficiency standards for dedicated purpose pool pump motors, it said in a Sept. 28 final rule, which is effective Nov. 27. The compliance date for the new standards varies by motor size, with compliance required for motors with a total horsepower less than 0.5 by Sept. 29, 2025; total horsepower between 0.5 and 1.14 by Sept. 28, 2027; and total horsepower between 1.15 and 5 by Sept. 29, 2025.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing to list ethylphenidate, a central nervous system stimulant, under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, it said in a notice published Sept. 22. “If finalized, this action would impose the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis, or possess) or propose to handle ethylphenidate.” Comments are due by Nov. 21.
The International Trade Commission recently released Revision 11 to the 2023 Harmonized Tariff Schedule, which extended the dates of subheadings 9903.88.67 and 9903.88.68 through Dec. 31. Both subheadings cover product exclusions from Section 301 tariffs. The 67 subheading covers a variety of pumps, actuators and other mechanical appliances of Chapters 84, 85, 86, and 90. The 68 subheading covers a variety of medical devices.