The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a final rule adopting new regulations on the refusal of entry to animals or other products when the CDC deems it necessary to prevent the spread of disease. Under the final rule (here), CDC may “suspend the entry” of “animals, articles or things” into the U.S. from foreign countries or regions, whenever CDC “determines that such an action is necessary to protect public health.” CDC must specify the animal or product, country or region, and time period covered by the ban. The final rule takes effect Feb. 21.
President Barack Obama nominated Jason Kearns to be a member of the International Trade Commission, the White House said (here). Kearns previously worked as the top international trade lawyer for the Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee.
The National Marine Fisheries Service is issuing a final rule (here) to list the blackchin guitarfish (Rhinobatos cemiculus) and common guitarfish (Rhinobatos rhinobatos) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. New import and export restrictions established by the final rule take effect Jan. 19.
The Energy Department is amending energy efficiency standards for ceiling fans, in a final rule (here). Compliance with the new standards is required for ceiling fans manufactured or imported on or after Jan. 21, 2020.
The Energy Department is setting new energy efficiency standards for dedicated-purpose pool pumps, it said in a direct final rule (here). Compliance with the new standards is required beginning July 19, 2021.
President Barack Obama designated Rhonda Schmidtlein the chairman of the International Trade Commission, the ITC announced Jan. 13 (here). Schmidtlein succeeds Irving Williamson, who became chairman in June by operation of law, as Obama did not designate a chairman prior to the expiration of former chairman Meredith Broadbent's term, and Williamson was the senior-most commissioner of a party other than a party of his predecessor, an ITC spokesperson said in an email. Schmidtlein's term as chairman will expire June 16, 2018, and Williamson will continue serving as a commissioner.
The Labor Department Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA) recommended that the U.S. enter bilateral consultations regarding concerns that Colombia is running delays in its labor inspection process, among other issues cited in a DOL trade compliance report (here). OTLA released a report Jan. 11 citing concerns about Colombia’s upholding of obligations under its trade deal with the U.S. In it, the OTLA identifies specific concerns with regard to the Colombian Labor Inspectorate’s ability to ensure that Colombian businesses treat collective bargainers fairly, particularly as the situation pertains to the inspectorate’s ability to travel to rural areas, high staff turnover, inconsistency of national strategy, and a lack of a systematic collection of fines related to collective bargaining and free association rights. AFL-CIO and five Colombian labor organizations on May 16 petitioned the OTLA under the labor and dispute settlement chapters of the Colombia-U.S. Trade Promotion Agreement, claiming the Colombian government had not complied with labor obligations under the agreement (see 1605170036).
The Fish and Wildlife Service issued a final rule (here) listing the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis), a species from the eastern and Midwestern U.S. and Ontario, Canada, as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. New import and export restrictions set by the agency’s final rule take effect Feb. 10.
The International Trade Commission will begin to accept comments on petitions for duty reductions under the miscellaneous tariff bill (MTB) process on Jan. 11 as planned (see 1701090011), the commission said in an official notice (here). The commission will send preliminary reports to the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees in June, including analysis and recommendations, the ITC said. The commission will send final reports to the committees in August on whether the petitions meet requirements for MTB inclusion and recommended actions. The Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees will make the final decisions on whether the imported articles will be included in a bill.
The International Trade Commission will accept comments on petitions for duty reductions under the miscellaneous tariff bill (MTB) process from Jan. 11 to 5:15 p.m. on Feb. 24, the commission said Jan. 6 in guidance for filing comments (here). Any member of the public, including individuals, companies and other entities with an interest in the matter, as well as the party that filed the petition, may also comment on the petitions, the ITC said. Commenters may object, support or take no position on the petitions, using the comment to supply additional information, but commenters may not amend a petition through the process, the agency said. Individuals wishing to file a comment should go to the MTB Petition System (MTBPS) website, locate the desired petition, and select “Comment on Petition,” filing a separate comment for each petition commented on, and completing the comment submission in one session, the commission said. Commenters who want to amend a petition will have to withdraw the original comment and file a new one including changes or corrections, the ITC said.