The International Trade Commission on Aug. 23 launched a new Import Monitoring Tool on its website (here), as required by the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act enacted in February (see 1602240071), the ITC said (here). The tool will allow users to determine whether import data changed throughout a period of time and uses public monthly import data provided by the Commerce Department based on Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) tariff line, the ITC said. When users first access the tool, they will see U.S. imports ranked by tariff line in descending order based on the “largest absolute change” during the latest two quarters. Users can also adjust ranking criteria to a percentage-change basis; set apart a group of tariff lines from a certain HTS chapter, heading or subheading; segregate changes by specific importer; and view corresponding changes in import quantities, the ITC said. Users can also query the data by HTS tariff line and see associated country or quantity details. The Import Monitoring Tool contains import data for the eight latest quarters, the ITC said.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is reinstating threatened status for slickspot peppergrass (lepidium papilliferum), a plant species from the state of Idaho, under the Endangered Species Act, it said in a final rule (here). FWS had originally listed the plant as threatened in 2009, but a federal court subsequently overturned the listing. FWS says its final rule relisting the species addresses the court’s concerns. Import and export restrictions set by the final rule take effect Sept. 16.
The Energy Department is proposing to amend energy efficiency test procedures for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers, it said (here). Proposed changes include an update to certification and enforcement provisions to address the performance-based energy conservation standards for walk-in cooler and freezer equipment, and new labeling requirements to aid manufacturers in determining which components would be considered for compliance purposes as intended for walk-in cooler and freezer applications, DOE said. Comments are due Oct. 17.
The Energy Department is proposing new energy efficiency standards for uninterruptible power supplies, which are a class of battery chargers, it said (here). The proposed standard would define the product as “a combination of convertors, switches and energy storage devices (such as batteries), constituting a power system for maintaining continuity of load power in case of input power failure.” Comments on the proposed rule are due Oct. 4.
The Earned Import Allowance Program didn’t substantially contribute to a tripling of the value and a fivefold increase in the quantity of imported woven cotton bottoms from the Dominican Republic in 2015, the International Trade Commission said in a yearly report on the program’s effectiveness for certain apparel imports from the country (here). The program isn’t providing as many incentives as intended to boost apparel imports, the ITC said. Five of 12 registered firms are using the program, same as in 2014, the ITC said. The ITC again made the same three recommendations as last year on how to fix the program, which allows duty-free access for Dominican Republic apparel exporters that use U.S. fabric: lowering the two-for-one ratio of U.S. to foreign fabric to a one-for-one ratio; including other types of fabrics and apparel items in the program; and changing the requirement that dyeing, finishing and printing of eligible fabrics take place in the U.S. But the ITC additionally recommended adding countries to the program to facilitate regional integration and create more opportunities in CAFTA-DR countries.
The International Trade Commission on July 27 released its 2015 “Year in Trade” Report, an annual overview of developments in the administration of U.S. trade laws and trade agreements (here).
The Transportation Department will give $17.6 million for Port of Albany (New York) renovations under its Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) VIII Discretionary Grant Program, including replacement of an on-dock warehouse, refurbishment of an outdoor cargo and staging area, and restoration of a port roadway, part of an effort to boost the port’s cargo and lift capabilities, Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., said (here).
The Energy Department is amending energy efficiency test procedures for ceiling fans, it said in a final rule (here). Changes include new test procedures for large-diameter ceiling fans, multi-mount ceiling fans, ceiling fans with multiple fan heads and ceiling fans where the airflow is not directed vertically. Compliance with the new test procedures is required for representations made with respect to the energy use or efficiency of ceiling fans starting Jan. 23, 2017.
The Drug Enforcement Administration proposed 2017 quotas (here) and adjustments to 2016 quotas (here) for the manufacture and import of controlled substances Schedule 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. DEA is also proposing 2017 quotas and 2016 quota adjustments for the Schedule I chemicals ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine and pseudoephedrine. Comments are due by Aug. 22.
The National Marine Fisheries Service is proposing to revise its rules on fishing, importation and exportation of toothfish and other Antarctic species, it said (here). The changes come on top of a December proposal to consolidate import permits under the International Fisheries Trade Permit (IFTP) and require filing of the permit data in ACE (see 1512300015). Proposed amendments include new provisions for “first receiver,” separate from the importing “dealer” that must obtain the IFTP, as well as a change in the advance notice deadline for imports of toothfish -- from 15 to 10 working days. Comments are due Aug. 22.