Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission released its 2009 Annual Report to Congress on November 19, 2009. In addition to security issues (especially cyber warfare), the report discusses the U.S.-China trade relationship, China's currency, its violations of World Trade Organization commitments, and new Chinese laws and policies that may restrict foreign access to China's market. The report offers 42 recommendations for Congressional action. Executive Summary is available here.(Report, posted 11/19/09, available at http://www.uscc.gov/annual_report/2009/annual_report_full_09.pdf)
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
1. U.S.-China ESRC Releases Annual Report on Trade/Security w. China
2. AMS Proposes to Revise Food Container Regulations
The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a proposed rule to amend the regulations governing the U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers to reflect current industry practices. Comments are due by January 19, 2010. (D/N AMS-FV-08-0027; FV-05-332, FR Pub 11/19/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27430.pdf)
3. TTB Issues Special Edition Newsletter on Caffeinated Alcohol Beverages
This Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Newsletter states that the FDA is looking into the safety of caffeinated alcohol beverages and is putting manufacturers on notice of its inquiry. The FDA action follows a meeting held in August 2009, when several State Attorneys General expressed their view that caffeinated alcohol beverages pose health and safety hazards to consumers. The newsletter discusses FDA's jurisdiction over certain aspects of alcohol beverages, etc. (Newsletter, dated 11/18/09, available at http://www.ttb.treas.gov/newsletters/ttb-newsletter.html)
4. ATF Authorizes Manufacturers to Streamline Required Firearms Markings
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued a ruling authorizing licensed manufacturers who perform a manufacturing process on firearms for another licensed manufacturer not to place their serial numbers and other required identification markings on the firearm, provided the firearm is already properly marked with a serial number and all other requirements of the ruling are met. (New release, dated 11/17/09, available at http://www.atf.gov/press/2009press/111709-atf-firearms-markings-streamlining.html)
5. CBP Proposes Rule for Voluntary "Global Entry" Trusted Traveler Program
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a proposed rule to establish an international trusted traveler program, called Global Entry. This voluntary program would allow CBP to expedite clearance of pre-approved, low-risk air travelers into the U.S. CBP has been operating the Global Entry program as a pilot at several airports since June 6, 2008. Comments on the proposed rule are due by January 19, 2010. (FR Pub 11/19/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27774.pdf)
6. USTR Welcomes Launch of Environmental Goods & Services Info Exchange
U.S. Trade Representative Kirk welcomed the launch of the Environmental Goods and Services Information Exchange (EGSIE). The EGSIE is an innovative new website that will promote information-sharing and collaboration related to cutting edge environmental technologies in the Asia-Pacific region and will also promote the dissemination of such technologies globally. The impending launch of the website was announced at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meetings in Singapore. The new website, http://egs.apec.org, is a joint project sponsored by the U.S., Canada and New Zealand. (Press release, dated 11/18/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/november/united-states-trade-representative-ron-kirk-welco)
7. CPSC Corrects Phone Number in Notice on Public Workshop on CPSIA Testing and Certification
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is correcting the phone number of the listed contact person to (301) 504-7621, for its notice announcing a two-day public workshop on December 10 and 11, 2009, to discuss certain options and related issues for implementing the testing, certification, and labeling requirements of Section 14 of the Consumer Product Safety Act, as amended by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. (D/N CPSC-2009-0095, FR Pub 11/19/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27830.pdf)
8. WCO now has 176 Members with Accession of Vanuatu
On November 17, 2009, the Republic of Vanuatu, located in the South Pacific, deposited with the Belgian Government its instrument of accession to the Convention establishing Customs Co-operation Council (World Customs Organization). (Press release, dated 11/18/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/press/?v=1&lid=1&cid=6&id=196)
9. Ghana to Sign Voluntary Agreement with EU on Legal Timber Exports
The government of Ghana is to sign a Voluntary Partnership Agreement with the European Union on the export of legal timber products from Ghana to the EU. The agreement, the first of its kind, provides a legal framework and monitoring system aimed at ensuring that all timber imports into the EU from Ghana have been acquired, harvested, transported and exported in accordance with the law in Ghana. (Press release, dated 11/19/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1744&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)
10. New European Council President, High Representative Elected
On November 19, 2009, the White House issued a press release on the election of Prime Minister Van Rompuy as President of the European Council and Baroness Ashton as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. According to the press release, these two new positions, and related changes to take effect on December 1, 2009, are as a result of the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty and will strengthen the EU and enable it to be an even stronger partner to the U.S. (Press release, dated 11/19/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/statement-press-secretary-election-a-new-european-council-president-and-high-repres.)
11. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:
| Product: Reason | Company | Release |
|---|---|---|
| Yayita Baby Hammocks: Fall and Strangulation Hazards | Three Sisters Toys Inc. (FL) | 10-707 |
| \"Bobby Chupete\" Pacifiers: Choking Hazard | Grand World Inc. (NY) | 10-040 |
| Youth Hooded Sweatshirts and Jackets: Strangulation Hazard | Century 21 Promotions (WA) | 10-041 |
| EXO-Tech Safety Harness: Fall Hazard | Gorilla Inc. (MI) | 10-042 |
(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelnov09.html)
12. Revised FDA Import Alerts
The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:
13. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Brazil Coffee Semi-Annual: 2009
14. CBSA Revises D Memos on Commercial Shipment Documentation & Private Printing
Canada Border Services Agency has revised the following D Memoranda:
D17-1-11 Revised: Private Printing Policy and Procedures
D17-1-1 Revised: Documentation Requirements for Commercial Shipments