Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
On July 14, 2008, the House of Representatives passed H. Res. 1182, to express the sense of the House that American flags flown on Federal Government buildings and on Federal property be made in the U.S. (Congressional Record, dated 07/14/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080714).)
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1. House Passed Resolution on U.S. Origin of American Flags on Federal Property
2. FDA Guidance on Detention Without Physical Exam of Condoms
The Food and Drug Administration announced the availability of the guidance entitled ''Surveillance and Detention Without Physical Examination of Condoms. (FDA notice, D/N FDA-2008-D-0137, FR Pub 07/11/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-15765.pdf.)
3. FDA Guidance on Detention Without Physical Exam of Exam Gloves
FDA announced the availability of the guidance entitled ''Surveillance and Detention Without Physical Examination of Surgeons' and/or Patient Examination Gloves.'' (FDA notice, D/N FDA-2008-D-0186, FR Pub 07/11/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-15766.pdf.)
4. Global Harmonization Task Force Study Documents on Medical Devices
FDA announced the availability of final and proposed documents that have been prepared by Study Groups 1 and 5 of the Global Harmonization Task Force (GHTF), respectively. These documents represent a harmonized proposal and recommendation from the GHTF Study Groups that may be used by governments developing and updating their regulatory requirements for medical devices. (FDA notice, D/N FDA-2008-D-0372, FR Pub 07/11/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-15797.pdf.)
5. FDA Seeks Voting Members for its Food Advisory Committee
FDA is requesting nominations for voting members to serve on the Food Advisory Committee, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Nominations received on or before August 11, 2008 will be given first consideration for membership. (FDA notice, FR Pub 07/11/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-15839.pdf)
6. BIS Sensors and Instrumentation Advisory Committee to Meet
The Bureau of Industry and Security's Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee will hold a partially open meeting on July 29, 2008 in Washington, DC. (BIS notice, FR Pub 07/11/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-15870.pdf.)
7. State Department Determination to Waive Requirements
The State Department has issued a determination waiving the requirements of subsection (a) of Section 686 of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008, as it is important to the national interests of the U.S. (State Dept Public Notice 6286, FR Pub 07/11/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-15862.pdf.)
8. DOT Secretary Announces Measures to Help Aviation Industry
Transportation Department Secretary Peters announced a new tool to help airports and airlines alleviate delays and fuel-wasting congestion, and helped kickoff a new X Prize competition to stimulate private sector innovation in developing an alternative to jet fuel. (DOT press release no. 96-08, dated 07/10/08, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot9608.htm.)
9. U.S. and China to Soon Hold Strategic Economic Dialogue Meeting
Treasury Secretary Paulson will host the fourth Cabinet level meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue during the week of July 14, 2008. (Meeting announcement available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)
10. OFAC Adds Two Syrian Entities to its SDN List
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice announcing that it has added two Syrian entities to its Specially Designated Nationals list. (OFAC notice, dated 07/10/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20080710.shtml.)
11. USDA Report on Agriculture, Agribusiness Investment in India
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service has issued a report entitled "The Environment for Agriculture and Agribusiness Investment in India." (USDA report, dated July 2008, available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB37/ )
12. ITA Quarterly Update to Annual List of Foreign Subsidies on Cheese
The International Trade Administration, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, has prepared its quarterly update to the annual list of foreign government subsidies on articles of cheese subject to an in-quota rate of duty that were imported during the period January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008. (ITA notice, FR Pub 07/01/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-14912.pdf)
13. FTZB Notice
The Foreign Trade Zone Board issued the following:
14. State Department Inaugurates Tucson Passport Center
Under Secretary of State for Management Kennedy and Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Jacobs presided over a ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating the opening of the Tucson Passport Center (TPC) in Tucson, Arizona on June 30, 2008. (Press release, 06/30/08, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/jun/106393.htm)
15. DOE Expands Int'l Effort to Develop Fuel-Efficient Trucks
Department of Energy's Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Karsner and Volvo Group CEO Leif Johansson agreed to expand cooperation to develop more fuel-efficient trucks. Once contractual negotiations are complete later this year, the cooperative program will be extended for three more years. (Press release, dated 06/30/08, available at http://www.energy.gov/news/6375.htm)
16. DOE Announces Solicitations for "Green" Loan Guarantees
The Department of Energy announced three solicitations for a total of up to $30.5 billion in federal loan guarantees for projects that employ advanced energy technologies that avoid, reduce or sequester air pollutants or greenhouse gas emissions. (Press release, dated 06/30/08, available at http://www.energy.gov/news/6377.htm)
17. BTS Releases North American Surface Trade Numbers for April 2008
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics released the North American surface trade numbers for April 2008: trade using surface transportation between the U.S. and its NAFTA partners, Canada and Mexico, was 14.3 percent higher in April 2008 than in April 2007, reaching $74.3 billion, the highest monthly level ever recorded. (BTS 32-08, dated 06/30/08, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/bts3208.htm)
18. TSA Posts TWIC Quarterly Deployment Plan
The Transportation Security Administration posted its latest (as of June 30, 2008) Transportation Worker Identification Credential quarterly deployment plan. (Plan available at http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/twicquarterlydeploymentschedule.pdf)
19. FAS' Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Philippines Oilseeds and Products: Coconut Products Export - March 2008
Russia Agricultural Situation: Ministry of Agriculture Authorities Again Redefined
Thailand Grain and Feed: Weekly Rice Price Update
European Union-27 Market Development Reports: Harmonized Indices of Consumer Prices
Japan FAIRS Subject Report: Tokyo Government requires place of origin for frozen food ingredients
Philippines Agricultural Situation: Typhoon 'Frank' Damage Minimal
Thailand Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety: Additional Food Additive (ISP) Permitted
20. New Handbook on Accession to the WTO
The World Trade Organization has issued a new handbook on accession to the WTO, which provides the first detailed explanation and analysis of how governments become members of the WTO. (Handbook available at http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/reser_e/handbook_acc_e.htm)
21. American Conference Institute Announces Import Compliance Conference
The American Conference Institute has announced a conference on import compliance September 22-23, 2008 in Washington, DC. Among other things, the conference will cover the latest information and insights on maximizing Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and Importer Trade Activity (ITRAC) data benefits. Post-conference workshops will also be held on focused assessments (FA) and the fundamentals of FDA import compliance. (Information and registration available at http://www.americanconference.com/import.htm)