Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration are alerting shippers and carriers to the importance of transporting lithium batteries safely. PHMSA and FAA are concerned that many persons who ship lithium batteries do not recognize the hazards posed by these batteries during transportation. (D/N PHMSA-2009-0310; Notice No. 09-05, FR Pub 10/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24184.pdf)
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1. PHMSA, FAA Alert to Shippers, Carriers on Lithium Batteries, Devices
2. EPA to Ask Congress for New Chemical Risk Management Law, Etc.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson has announced the issuance of Administration principles to guide Congress in writing a new chemical risk management law that will fix the weaknesses in TSCA. Until new law is passed, the EPA will take Risk Management Actions on Lead, Mercury, Formaldehyde, PCBs, Glymes, and Nanomaterials. EPA is also developing action plans on other chemicals of concern. (Speech, dated 09/29/09, available at http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/12a744ff56dbff8585257590004750b6/fc4e2a8c05343b3285257640007081c5!OpenDocument)
3. Canada Requests WTO Panel on U.S. COOL Origin Labeling for Meat, Etc.
Canada announced that it has requested a World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel on the mandatory U.S. country-of-origin labeling (COOL) requirements for meat and other agricultural products, after consultations with the U.S. failed. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Kirk issued a joint statement on the matter. (Canada had sought consultations on (i) USDA's January 15, 2009 COOL final rule that replaced its August 2008 interim final rule; and (ii) USDA Secretary Vilsack's February 20, 2009 letter regarding implementation of the final rule which invited industry to follow additional voluntary labeling practices.) (Canada 10/07/09 release, available at http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?crtr.sj1D=&mthd=tp&crtr.mnthndVl=&nid=487969&crtr.dpt1D=&crtr.tp1D=1&crtr.lc1D=&crtr.yrStrtVl=&crtr.kw=&crtr.dyStrtVl=&crtr.aud1D=&crtr.mnthStrtVl=&crtr.yrndVl=&crtr.dyndVl= and USDA/USTR statement, 10/07/09, available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/10/0499.xml)
4. OMB Approves DOD Final Rule on Contractor Responsibility to Comply with Commerce/State Export Requirements
The Office of Management and Budget has approved a Department of Defense final rule to amend the Defense FAR Supplement to address contractor requirements for complying with existing Department of Commerce and Department of State export regulations. (Rule, completed 10/05/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200904&RIN=0750-AF13)
5. Commerce Announces Opening of One-Stop Shop, Commerce Connect, for Exports
Secretary of Commerce Locke has announced the official opening of the department's first one-stop export shop, CommerceConnect in Michigan. The one-stop initiative is focused on integrating Commerce Department programs to help businesses at every point of their life cycle. Written remarks available here. (Press release, dated 10/06/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_008492)
6. Census Posts its October 2009 AES Newsletter
The Census Bureau has posted the October 2009 issue of its Automated Export System (AES) Newsletter. Topics addressed in the October issues are the elimination of the Social Security Number from AES, reporting a U.S. customs broker or freight forwarder as the U.S. Principal Party in Interest, etc. (Newsletter available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/aesnewsletter092009.pdf.)
7. FDA Draft Guidance Says Evaporated Cane Juice is Really Syrup
The Food and Drug Administration is announcing the availability of the draft guidance entitled ''Guidance for Industry: Ingredients Declared as Evaporated Cane Juice.'' The intent of this draft guidance is to advise industry of FDA's view that the common or usual name for the solid or dried form of sugar cane syrup is ''dried cane syrup,'' and not juice. (D/N FDA-2009-D-0430, FR Pub 10/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24132.pdf)
8. FDA Warns That Dietary Supplements with Silver May Discolor Skin
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a Consumer Advisory about the risk of permanent skin and mucous membrane discoloration (argyria) associated with the use of dietary supplements that contain silver compounds, such as colloidal silver. Advisory available here. (Notice, dated 10/06/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/Alerts/ucm184091.htm)
9. FDA Corrects "Comment Due Date" for Implementation of Tobacco Act
The Food and Drug Administration is correcting its notice extending the comment period on the implementation of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The FDA is correcting the comment due date so that comments are due by December 28, 2009. (D/N FDA-2009-N-0294, FR Pub 10/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24214.pdf)
10. DHS Rescinds Amendments on No-Match Letter Safe-Harbor Procedures
The Department of Homeland Security is amending its regulations by rescinding the amendments promulgated on August 15, 2007, and October 28, 2008, relating to procedures that employers may take to acquire a safe harbor from receipt of No-Match letters. (FR Pub 10/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24200.pdf)
11. Unified Carrier Registration Plan Directors Meeting on Nov 12th
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced a telephonic meeting on November 12, 2009 of the Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors. The Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors are working on developing and implementing the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement. (FR Pub 10/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24303.pdf)
12. FAS Reports Acceptance of DEIP Bid for Cheddar
The Foreign Agricultural Service reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation has accepted bids under the Dairy Export Incentive Program from exporter Erie Foods International, Inc. (cheddar cheese) to Africa and the Middle East. (Notice, dated 10/06/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0250-09)
13. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:
| Product: Reason | Company | Release |
|---|---|---|
| Folding Directors Chairs: Fall Hazard | L G Sourcing Inc. (NC) | 10-003 |
| Children's Toys, Purses and Pen Cases: Violation of Lead Paint and Phthalate Limits | Daiso California LLC (CA) | 10-004 |
| Wooden Toys: Choking Hazard | Daiso California LLC (CA) | 10-005 |
| Guardian Full-Face Masks: Visor Separation Hazard | DeVilbiss Air Power Company (TN) | 10-006 |
| DeVilbiss Air Power Company Pressure Washers and Air Compressors: Fracture and Laceration Hazards | DeVilbiss Air Power Company (TN) | 10-007 |
(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereloct09.html)
14. CBSA Revises D-Memoranda on Classification of Goods
Canada Border Services Agency has revised its D-Memoranda D10-13-1 on the Classification of Goods. This memorandum explains the methodology for classifying goods in the Customs Tariff. It is an updated version of the original memorandum. (Memorandum D10-13-1, dated 10/02/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d10/d10-13-1-eng.html)
15. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Mexico Dairy and Products Annual: Dairy and Products Annual
Russian Federation Exporter Guide Annual: Annual
Caribbean Basin Exporter Guide Annual: Caribbean Basin Exporter Guide
Ukraine Exporter Guide Annual: Ukraine's Food Market in Crisis
Korea Exporter Guide Annual: Exporter Guide Annual 2009
Morocco Exporter Guide Annual: 2009
Japan Exporter Guide Annual: 2009 Update