Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. EU Eco-Labeling Scheme Extended Until 2008 for Certain Products

2. EPA and China Seek Uniformity in Energy Efficiency

The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a press release announcing that the EPA and the China Standard Certification Center have agreed to work toward harmonizing information on their respective energy-efficiency labels for consumer electronics and office equipment. (EPA press release, dated 03/20/07, available at http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/a883dc3da7094f97852572a00065d7d8/1164a5b8530e34b0852572a4004d0c24!OpenDocument.)

3. PHMSA Final Rule Eliminates the 24-hour, 7 Days/Week Telephonic Expedited Registration Option, Etc.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has issued a final rule, effective June 30, 2007, which amends the statutorily mandated registration and fee assessment program for persons who transport or offer for transportation certain categories and quantities of hazardous materials by eliminating the 24-hour, seven days-per-week telephonic expedited registration option because it is no longer necessary now that there is an internet option. In addition, PHMSA is adopting an explicit exception from registration requirements for Indian Tribes. PHMSA adds that it is not increasing registration fees in this final rule. (D/N PHMSA-2006-25589 (HM-208F), FR Pub 05/03/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-8394.pdf)

4. Ex-Im Bank Advisory Committee to Meet on May 30, 2007

The Export-Import Bank has issued a notice announcing that the Advisory Committee is holding an open meeting on May 30, 2007 in Washington, DC. The agenda includes a presentation from the Manufacturing Team of the 2007 Advisory Committee, and a focus on the Congressionally mandated Competitiveness Report, which focuses on how Ex-Im Bank's programs compare with their major G-7 Export Credit Agency (ECA) counterparts during 2006. (FR Pub 05/07/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-2235.pdf)

5. OFAC Adds to, Corrects, Names of Blocked Narcotics Traffickers

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice publishing the names of two newly-designated entities whose property and interests in property have been blocked pursuant to Executive Order 12978, "Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions With Significant Narcotics Traffickers," and whose names have been added to the list of Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers on March 7, 2007. In addition, OFAC is publishing changes, effective March 7, 2007, to the identifying information associated with three persons previously designated under EO 12978 and whose names were previously added to the list of Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers. (FR Pub 05/03/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-8299.pdf)

6. CBP Chicago Pipeline on Paper Check Conversion - New Requirements

CBP at the Port of Chicago has issued the following Pipeline:

Paper Check Conversion - New Requirements (Pipeline 07-22, dated 04/19/07)

(Chicago Pipeline availablefromBP by emailing documents@brokerpower.com)

7. Company Receives $50,000 Fine for Computer Server Export to Cuba

According to a Bureau of Industry and Security press release, LogicaCMG, Inc. pleaded guilty to illegally causing goods to be exported to Cuba and was sentenced to pay a $50,000 fine. The violation involved the unlicensed export in August 2001 of a computer server used for enabling and processing text messaging over a wireless telecommunications network. (BIS press release, dated 04/25/07, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2007/RevisedLogicaCMGGuiltyPleaMedia%20Releasewpd.pdf)

8. AMS Seeks Nominations for Peanut Standards Board

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a notice seeking nominations for individuals to be considered for selection as members of the Peanut Standards Board for terms of office ending June 30, 2010. Selected nominees would replace those six producer and industry representatives who are currently serving for the term of office that ends June 30, 2007. Written nominations must be received on or before May 18, 2007. (D/N AMS-FV-07-0049; FV07-996-1 N, FR Pub 05/01/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-8234.pdf)

9. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued separate press releases (dated 04/03/07 - 04/26/07) announcing that the following companies, in cooperation with the CPSC, are voluntarily recalling the products listed below. Due to the large number of recalls, this is Part I of a two-part series of summaries. (Press releases available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelapr07.html)