The Federal Maritime Commission is giving more discretion to its Bureau of Enforcement, Investigations and Compliance (BEIC) by allowing it to issue notices of violations and to compromise civil penalty claims without first obtaining FMC approval. The changes, outlined in a final rule effective May 17, will "provide enhanced efficiency and flexibility during the enforcement process while maintaining Commission oversight," FMC said.

The Fish and Wildlife Service announced April 14 it will allow normal trade operations to resume with Mexico in species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, in line with a withdrawal of the trade suspension by CITES the previous day. “The CITES trade suspension with Mexico is withdrawn,” the FWS said. “The United States will resume normal trade operations with Mexico related to CITES species, effective immediately.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing to list nine fentanyl-related substances -- meta-fluorofentanyl, meta-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, para-methoxyfuranyl fentanyl, 3-furanyl fentanyl, 2′,5′-dimethoxyfentanyl, isovaleryl fentanyl, ortho-fluorofuranyl fentanyl, alpha′-methyl butyryl fentanyl, and para-methylcyclopropyl fentanyl -- under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, it said in a notice published April 13. The four substances are already temporarily controlled under a 2018 order that has been most recently extended until the end of 2024. "If finalized, this action would make permanent the existing regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis, or possess), or propose to handle these nine specific controlled substances," DEA said. Comments are due by May 15.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is finalizing controls on 4-piperidone as a list I chemical under the Controlled Substances Act. The chemical is used in the manufacture of fentanyl, DEA said. The agency is not setting a threshold for domestic and international transactions for these chemicals, so “all transactions involving 4-piperidone, regardless of size, shall be regulated and are subject to control under the CSA," and "chemical mixtures containing 4-piperidone are not exempt from regulatory requirements at any concentration." The listing takes effect May 12.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing a final rule listing the bracted twistflower (Streptanthus bracteatus), a plant species from Texas, as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The listing includes a 4(d) rule for this species that prohibits importation and exportation without a permit. New import and export restrictions set by the agency’s final rule take effect May 11.

MVM Logistics and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. (USA) Inc. submitted a Stipulation of Dismissal of a complaint, agreeing to continue settlement negotiations without the Federal Maritime Commission, the agency announced March 31. MVM in an October complaint accused MSC of charging $800,000 in unfair fees and failing to "establish, observe, and enforce just and reasonable regulations and practices relating to or connected with receiving, handling, storing, or delivering property" (see 2210260029). MSC denied those allegations, saying the allegations were "so vague and ambiguous as to make it impractical" (see 2211220017). The FMC said it will discontinue the proceedings without prejudice.

The Federal Maritime Commission released a list of Ocean Transportation Intermediary license applications recently filed with the FMC. The applications, from 11 companies, include "license reissuance" applications, name change requests and more.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing a final rule listing the Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni; syn. Testudo werneri), a terrestrial tortoise from Libya, Egypt and Israel, as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The listing includes a 4(d) rule for this species that prohibits importation and exportation without a permit. New import and export restrictions set by the agency’s final rule take effect May 1.

The Federal Maritime Commission on March 24 approved a confidential settlement agreement to resolve a detention and demurrage dispute between Philip Reinisch Co. and Flexport International. The "proceeding would require potentially expensive discovery and briefing," the FMC said, and both parties "determined that the settlement reasonably resolves the issues raised in the complaint without the need for costly and uncertain litigation."

The New York State Legislature passed an amendment March 20 to a bill passed last year that banned perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in apparel. The bill expands the ban to outdoor apparel and outerwear, which had previously been exempt, according to a post on the Kelley Green Law blog.