Makers of radio frequency devices can still put on traditional Federal Communications Commission logos, even though the regulator last month agreed to allow e-labeling as part of an overhaul of equipment authorization rules (see 1706280065 and 1707130045), an official said July 20. FCC Office of Engineering and Technology Chief Julius Knapp and Rashmi Doshi, chief of the FCC Lab, appeared on a Telecommunications Industry Association webinar (here). Doshi said e-labeling isn't a mandate. The order goes to some length to recognize that “the FCC logo is useful, even though we felt that making it mandatory was too much of a burden,” Doshi said. The label is widely recognized outside the U.S., he said. The Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative are working with other countries on common approaches to e-labeling, Doshi said. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation has scheduled a conference on the topic for next month, he said. “We’ve already talked to Canada on some of the things that they’re doing.” Knapp said the U.S. is at the “forefront” internationally. “When I go to places like Europe or Asia, we’re always trying to inform people about what we’ve done in the hope that they will follow,” Knapp said.
Nine domestic industry groups urged Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on July 18 to persevere with the Trump administration’s Section 232 investigations on steel and aluminum, despite “vague speculation” about trade retaliation. “Global trade has been nonreciprocal, in part, because past administrations have wrongly viewed enforcement of trade rules as protectionism even as other countries made full use of those rules,” the groups said in a July 18 letter (here). The 1994 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade allows countries to protect national security, and the World Trade Organization system prevents any “uncontrollable trade retaliation” for using the provision. There have been no such retaliatory countermeasures leveled against nations that assess trade measures based on national security, the groups wrote.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is temporarily adding the synthetic opioid acryl fentanyl to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, in a final order (here). The final order takes effect July 14, and will be in effect for up to three years.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is finalizing the listing of alpha-phenylacetoacetonitrile (APAAN) as a list I chemical under the Controlled Substances Act, it said (here). The chemical is used as a precursor in the manufacture of amphetamines and methamphetamines. DEA's final rule takes effect Aug. 14.
China was the primary driver of global aluminum production and consumption growth from 2011 to 2015, accounting for more than half of the world’s production and consumption of primary unwrought and wrought aluminum, according to an International Trade Commission report on U.S. competitiveness in the global aluminum industry released July 7 (here). During that period, China strengthened its position as the world’s leading exporter of wrought aluminum, followed by Germany and the U.S., but export restraints limited China’s exports of unwrought aluminum. Russia, Canada, Norway and Australia continued as the world’s leading exporters of unwrought aluminum throughout the five years.
The Energy Department is setting several energy efficiency standards for refrigeration equipment used in walk-in coolers and freezers, it said (here). The new standards apply to low-temperature dedicated condensing refrigeration systems and both medium- and low-temperature unit coolers, DOE said. “These standards ... will be in addition to the standards that DOE has already promulgated for medium-temperature dedicated condensing refrigeration systems,” it said. Compliance with the final rule is required by July 10, 2020.
The Federal Trade Commission is amending its regulations to require new EnergyGuide labeling on electric instantaneous water heaters, it said (here). Rather than require labeling on the product itself, ”manufacturers may incorporate the label into the packaging graphics or affixing adhesive labels to the box,” the FTC said. The agency is also eliminating certain marking requirements for plumbing products, including shower heads, faucets, water closets and urinals. However, the FTC will not proceed with proposed labeling requirements for large diameter and high speed ceiling fans and portable air conditioners, declining to finalize them in response to comments. Amendments to marking requirements for plumbing products take effect July 28, while other provisions of the final rule are effective Dec. 26.
The Federal Trade Commission is proposing to amend its textile regulations to remove a requirement that an owner of a registered word trademark provide the FTC with a copy of the mark’s registration with the Patent and Trademark Office before using the mark on labels, it said (here). The proposed rule would also eliminate the restriction on the use of such trademarks to only those employed as house marks, the FTC said. The requirements were put in place so the FTC would not have to obtain trademark registrations from the PTO, but registrations are now easily available online, it said. Comments are due July 31.
Groups are pushing for the elimination of milk pricing programs that push U.S. products out of the Canadian market and for the U.S. to maintain tariffs on Canadian sugar in any renegotiated NAFTA agreement, according to comments filed with the International Trade Commission. Among the National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF’s) top priorities for talks is “the decisive confrontation and resolution of nontariff concerns,” including the removal of Canadian milk pricing classes 6 and 7, and the continuance of Canadian dairy tariffs, the group said. Canada’s milk pricing strategy often leads to Canadian products being sold at prices far below “even the lowest of prevailing world commodity prices,” NMPF said. Also a top priority for NAFTA would be improving rules-based areas with respect to Mexico and dairy trade, such as introducing new commitments on geographical indications and on sanitary and phytosanitary issues, the group said.
The International Trade Commission on June 6 released the public version of its report to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on potential changes to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program for 2016/2017, it said in a press release (here). The 114-page report (here), 139 pages shorter than last year's, includes data related to potential additions of products for all GSP beneficiary countries under subheadings 1104.19.90 (Rolled or flaked grains of cereals, other than of barley or oats), 2008.20.00 (Pineapples, otherwise prepared or preserved, nesi), 2915.9018 (Saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, nesoi), 3809.93.50 (Finishing agents, dye carriers and other preparations used in leather and like industries, <5% by weight aromatic (mod.) substance(s)), and 3192.20.00 (Cellulose nitrates (including collodions, in primary forms)).