Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

The World Trade Organization has circulated a request from Indonesia for WTO consultations with the U.S. on "U.S. - Measures Affecting the Production and Sale of Clove Cigarettes" (DS406). Indonesia objects to the U.S. ban on all flavored cigarettes, except menthol, brought about by the "Family Smoking Prevention Tobacco Control Act of 2009." (Request, posted 04/14/10, available at http://docsonline.wto.org/DDFDocuments/t/g/tbt/D38.doc)

2. DOE Announces Western Hemisphere Climate Partnerships, Initiatives

The Department of Energy has announced a series of partnerships and other initiatives to address clean energy and energy security in the Western Hemisphere as part of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA). Secretary of Energy Chu announced new projects focused on clean energy cooperation, technical assistance and financing, renewable energy, and electricity infrastructure and earthquake preparedness. (Press release, dated 04/15/10, available at http://www.energy.gov/news/8854.htm)

3. DOE Amends Water Heater Energy Conservation Standards

The Department of Energy has issued a final rule amending energy conservation standards for certain residential water heaters, gas-fired direct heating equipment, and gas-fired pool heaters. Compliance for residential water heaters is required starting on April 16, 2015, and compliance for DHE and pool heaters is required starting on April 16, 2013. (D/N EE-2006-BT-STD-0129, FR Pub 04/16/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-7611.pdf)

4. DOE Requests Comments on Samsung Refrigerator Testing Waiver

The Department of Energy is granting an interim waiver to Samsung Electronics America, Inc. pursuant to its petition for waiver from specified portions of DOE test procedure for energy consumption of electric refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, applicable to residential refrigerator-freezers to additional Samsung basic models. Comments are due by May 17, 2010. (FR Pub 04/16/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-8772.pdf)

5. ITA, NTIA to Meet on Internet Economy Privacy

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the International Trade Administration will hold a public meeting on May 7, 2010, to discuss the nexus between privacy policy and innovation in the Internet economy. (FR Pub 04/16/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-8681.pdf)

6. CPSC Announces April 21 Closed Compliance Meeting

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a closed Sunshine Act meeting on April 21, 2010, in which the staff will brief the Commission on various compliance matters. (FR Pub 04/16/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-8904.pdf)

7. European Commission Posts Q&A on "Toy Joint Action"

The European Commission has posted a question and answer document on an EU "Toy Joint Action" in which 200 of the 576 samples tested by market surveillance authorities for small parts failed to comply with the relevant safety requirements, and 17 of the 227 samples tested for heavy metal content failed. (Press release, dated 04/15/10, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/129&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

8. EC Moving Forward on Directive to Expand Energy Labeling to More Products

The European Council has adopted a position on a "recast" directive that would extend the scope of the current EC directive on energy labeling which is restricted to household appliances, to allow for the labeling of all energy related products including the household, commercial and industrial sectors and some non-energy using products. (Notice, dated 04/15/10, available at http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/trans/113859.pdf)

9. EU Trade Strategy to Focus on Doha, China, U.S.

In remarks before the House of German Industries, European Commissioner for Trade de Gucht discussed highlights of the new EU trade strategy which will be announced later this year. Similar to previous statements, de Gucht noted the EU would be focusing on the WTO Doha Round and its trade relationships with the U.S. and China. (Remarks, dated 04/15/10, available at http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2010/april/tradoc_146015.pdf)

10. ECHA Helps Downstream Users Check Intended EU REACH Registrations

The European Chemicals Agency has announced that downstream users of chemicals now have the chance to check whether the critical chemical substances that they need are going to be registered under EU REACH in time, as ECHA has listed all of the substances that companies have told them they plan to register for the 2010 REACH deadline. (News alert, dated 04/16/10, available at http://echa.europa.eu/doc/press/na_10_18_dcg%20_du_20100416.pdf)

11. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:

(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelapr10.html)

12. APHIS Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Import PPQ Manual Updated

On April 15, 2010, APHIS updated its Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Import PPQ Manual. The manual lists by country fruits and vegetables that are admissible into the United States. It includes a description of methods for sampling and inspecting selected fruits and vegetables. It also contains pictorial identification guides, and a glossary for common and scientific names of fruits and vegetables. (Manual, updated 04/15/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/fv.pdf)

13. APHIS Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance PPQ Manual Updated

On April 14, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance Manual. This Manual serves as a guide for authorized Federal officers at ports of entry along the Canadian Border. (Manual, updated 04/14/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/canadian.shtml)

14. FSIS Updates List of Brazil Establishments Eligible to Export Meat & Poultry

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued updated (April 15, 2010) versions of its list of Brazil establishments eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S. (List, updated 04/15/10, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Brazil_establishments.pdf)

15. FSIS Updates List of Instructions and U.S. Plants for Exporting Meat and Poultry to Foreign Countries

FSIS has provided updated information for the export of U.S. meat and poultry to the following country:

• China (Revised April 15, 2010)

16. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

• Japan - Flowering Cherry Trees - A Gift from Japan: Market Development Reports
• Japan - The History of U.S. Cotton in Japan: Market Development Reports
• Russian Federation - Grain and Feed Annual: Annual
• India - Cotton and Products Annual: 2010
• Iraq - Current News in Agriculture and USDA in Iraq: Vegetables, Grain and Feed
• Belgium EU-27 - EU Parliament Reports on Agriculture and Climate Change: Climate Change

17. 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:

• 99-21: Food Products Containing Sulfites
• 53-17: Cosmetics Due to Microbiological Contamination
• 33-10: Candy Due to Lead
• 99-19: Food Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella
• 99-08: Processed Foods for Pesticides
• 99-04: Manufacturers of Low Acid Canned Foods and Acidified Foods
• 75-02: Blood Glucose Test Strips
• 72-05: Pet and Laboratory Animal Food Due to the Presence of Melamine and/or Melamine Analogs (Trazines)
• 53-06: Cosmetics Containing Illegal Colors