The Federal Maritime Commission is accepting applications to fill a vacant spot on its recently formed National Shipper Advisory Committee, the FMC said in a notice released Nov. 2. The commission “excused” one committee member in September after the person changed jobs, which “altered the balance of the Committee,” the FMC said. The committee must be composed equally of importers and exporters. FMC is accepting applications, due Nov. 17, from an “entity who imports cargo to the United States using ocean common carriers.” The committee membership was announced Sept. 9, and it held its first meeting last month, when members said a new surcharge imposed by two California ports could severely exacerbate unfair detention and demurrage fees (see 2110280031).

The Federal Trade Commission is updating Energy Guide labeling requirements for central air conditioners, it said in a final rule released Oct. 19. The amendments “update the comparability ranges and sample labels for central air conditioners,” in light of recent changes to Energy Department energy efficiency standards, the FTC said. Compliance with the new labeling requirements is required by Jan. 1, 2023, though manufacturers may choose to conform before then, it said.

The Drug Enforcement Administration proposed 2022 quotas for the manufacture and import of controlled substances listed in Schedules I and II of the Controlled Substances Act. Substances not listed in the table included in DEA's notice will have a quota of zero. The notice, released Oct. 15, also proposes 2022 quotas for the Schedule I chemicals ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine and pseudoephedrine. Comments are due Nov. 17.

The Federal Maritime Commission on Oct. 27 will hold the inaugural meeting of the National Shipper Advisory Commission, which was established earlier this year to advise the FMC on shipping competitiveness and fairness in the ocean freight delivery system (see 2106080005). During the virtual meeting, scheduled for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, members from the export and import community will, among other items on the agenda, elect a chair and vice chair, and “discuss issues related to ongoing supply chain congestion issues,” the FMC said this week. The meeting will be held about a month after the FMC approved recommendations to address ocean freight delivery and port issues (see 2109150035).

The Department of Labor is seeking public comments ahead of updates to its Worst Forms of Child Labor report and two lists it maintains about goods made by forced and child labor, it said in a notice. Among other issues, it “is seeking information on current practices of governments to collaborate with private sector actors through public-private partnerships to reduce the likelihood of child labor and forced labor in the production of goods,” the agency said. “Submissions may include policy documents, reports, statistics, case studies, and many other formats.”

Although U.S. traders would widely welcome the U.S. rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, industry officials are disappointed with the country’s lack of urgency on the trade pact and don't expect the Biden administration to prioritize the deal before its term ends. While they said mini trade deals, such as the 2020 agreement with Japan (see 1912050058), can serve as “short-term” bandages, they aren’t nearly enough to make up for the benefits U.S. traders would have received under TPP.

A panel of trade experts said managed trade doesn't have to be a dirty word, but that the conflation of national security and economic security is dangerous. The Washington International Trade Association decided to host a discussion on managed trade after an essay was published by Edward Alden called, "Free Trade Is Dead. Risky ‘Managed Trade’ Is Here."

The Federal Maritime Commission announced the 24 members of its newly formed Shipper Advisory Committee, which will advise FMC on issues in the ocean freight delivery system (see 2106080005). The group -- which includes representatives from Walmart, Target, Ikea, Tyson Foods and Brenntag -- is composed evenly of importers and exporters, the commission said Sept. 9. Members will serve until Dec. 31, 2024. FMC Chairman Daniel Maffei said the shipper committee will give the FMC “rapid access to the perspectives of importers and exporters on the ground dealing with the realities of ocean shipping every day,” adding that their perspective will be “invaluable.”

The Fish and Wildlife Service on Sept. 7 released a final rule listing the slenderclaw crayfish (Cambarus cracens), a freshwater crustacean from Alabama, as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. New import and export restrictions set by the agency’s final rule take effect Oct. 8.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing to list methiopropamine, a central nervous stimulant that is structurally related to the schedule II stimulants methamphetamine and amphetamine, under schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, it said in a notice released Sept. 1. “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 with, or possess), or propose to handle, methiopropamine.” Comments are due by Oct. 4.