The International Trade Commission is requesting public input by Feb. 7 on how it can improve its presentation of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, it said in a notice to be published Jan. 8. Specifically, the ITC is looking for ways to improve navigability, usability and accessibility of the HTSUS information, as well as ways to compare changes made in the HTSUS.
toSearch Primer
Multi-word term: Place inside quotes to ensure an exact match together (e.g. "forced labor").
Term list: Separate terms with spaces, not commas or semicolons to find either word (e.g. AD/CVD CBP).
Acronyms: Use all capital letters (e.g., ACE).
Required term: If a term must be included in any resulting articles, prefix it with a plus sign (e.g., tariffs +Canada).
Excluded term: If a term should be excluded from any articles being found, prefix it with a minus sign (e.g., FDA -alert).
Simplest form: Use the simplest form of a term (e.g. "metal" instead of "metals" or "entity list" instead of "entity listing" or "entity listed").
The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing to list e 4-chloromethcathinone, a central nervous system stimulant, under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, it said in a notice released Dec. 27. “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 4-chloromethcathinone.” Comments are due Jan. 29.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is extending for one more year the temporary listing of seven fentanyl-related substances -- para-chlorofentanyl, ortho-chlorofentanyl, metafluorofuranyl fentanyl, ortho-methylcyclopropyl fentanyl, beta-methylacetyl fentanyl, tetrahydrothiofuranyl fentanyl and para-fluoro valeryl fentanyl -- in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, it said in a notice released Dec. 27. The fentanyl-related substance, first temporarily listed in 2018 (see 1802070043), will now remain listed in Schedule I until Dec. 31, 2025. DEA also released a proposed rule to permanently list these fentanyl-related substances in Schedule I, with comments due Jan. 29.
The Fish and Wildlife Service announced tentative negotiating positions for next year's meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), scheduled for Nov. 24 - Dec. 5 in Uzbekistan. The agency's notice includes "proposed amendments to the CITES Appendices (species proposals) and proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that the United States might submit for consideration." Comments are due Jan. 16.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is temporarily listing the blue tree monitor (Varanus macraei), a lizard species from Indonesia, as an endangered species, it said in a Federal Register notice. This temporary rule, made as an emergency action, is effective from Dec. 26 to Aug. 25, 2025. "Due to overcollection for the international pet trade and deforestation, there is a significant risk to the well-being of the species," thus warranting the emergency listing under the Endangered Species Act, FWS said in the notice.
The Department of Energy has issued a final rule that amends energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including gas-fired instantaneous water heaters, it said in a notice.
The Department of Energy is amending its energy efficiency standards for walk-in coolers and freezers, it said in a final rule released Dec. 20. Specifically, the agency is increasing minimum required efficiency standards for non-display doors for walk-in freezers and coolers, as well as for refrigeration systems for walk-in freezers and coolers. DOE isn't amending its standards for display doors or panels. The compliance with the changes for non-display doors is required beginning Dec. 23, 2027, and for refrigeration systems, beginning Dec. 31, 2028.
Advocacy groups are divided on two nominees to fill vacancies on the U.S. International Trade Commission, with the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) leading a coalition of supporters and the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) calling the process "rushed."
The Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to list the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, according to a notice. Comments on the proposed rulemaking, which includes a 4(d) rule that would require a permit for import and export, are due by March 12.
The U.S. warned World Trade Organization members this week against adjudicating national security matters, saying in a communication that they should instead bring a "non-violation claim" that would allow for the rebalancing of trade concessions and avoid "dragging" members into debates over political issues.