The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has issued a final rule that will amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to tighten the safety standards for transportation of lithium batteries, including both primary (nonrechargeable) and secondary (rechargeable) lithium batteries.

According to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the European Commission decided on March 29, 2007 to extend until 2008 the validity date of the ecological criteria for various product groups including: televisions, textiles, refrigerators, washing machines, tissue paper, and dishwasher detergent. The eco-labeling scheme, depicted by a flower logo, is voluntary and aimed at promoting the sale of products determined by independent bodies to have a reduced environmental impact. (HKTDC article, dated 04/20/07, available at http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/eu0708d.htm?w_sid=194&w_pid=703&w_nid=&w_cid=&w_idt=1900-01-01&w_oid=166&w_jid=)

A voluntary recall has been launched of 9,900 flat- panel TV tilt-mount brackets marketed under Circuit City’s private-label Verge brand, the chain said. The brackets -- VPSW103M ($180) and VPSW103M2 ($140) -- were manufactured in China by Hong Kong’s Logitek International and shipped Sept.- April. Their lock bar is prone to coming undone if upward force is applied to a mounted TV. No injuries have been reported, but Circuit City is shipping free repair kits to those requesting them. A Circuit City spokeswoman wouldn’t say how many kits have been delivered.

Nintendo Fri. began a worldwide voluntary replacement program for the Wii remote’s wrist strap after complaints that the initial strap attachment was too thin and sometimes broke off, sending remotes flying out of gamers’ hands to crash into TVs and other objects. Nintendo also recalled about 200,000 DS and DS Lite AC adapters Fri. due to overheating -- but that was only in Japan.

The law firm of Rodriquez O'Donnell Ross reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced that it had settled with Pioneer Speakers for $10 million over an incorrect North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) claim. According to the report, Pioneer wrongly claimed NAFTA for imported speakers that were made with ineligible parts. The case originally involved a claim for over $21 million for the purportedly false NAFTA claims and over $15 million for claimed record keeping violations. (Rodriquez O'Donnell Ross Pub October/November 2006, www.rorlaw.com)

The American Conference Institute has announced that the 2nd National Forum on Export Enforcement & Investigations will be held on December 5 & 6, 2006 in Washington DC. The conference will include discussions on how the government evaluates voluntary and directed disclosures, negotiating civil settlements with BIS, DDTC, and OFAC, etc. The conference will also feature two optional workshops on December 7, 2006 concerning conducting an effective internal investigation and the do's and don'ts in preparing voluntary disclosures. More information and a registration form is available at www.AmericanConference.com/exports.

American Shipper reports that Ford Motor Company is off the hook for more than $5 million in duties and penalties after the Court of International Trade (CIT) ruled that the statute of limitations for paying the fine had expired, a decision that international trade lawyers familiar with the case stated could have implications for hundreds of other importers. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/13/06, 06031325 for BP summary of CIT decision)(American Shipper, March 2006)

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and peripherals maker Electro Source announced a voluntary recall of the Pelican-branded Power Brick Battery Charger for PSP because of fire and burn hazards. They said consumers should stop using the charger immediately because its circuit board can overheat and cause its plastic cover to melt. Electro Source said it received 143 reports of the charger overheating including one report of fire damage but “no injuries have been reported.” The charger -- manufactured for Electro Source in China -- costs about $20 on its own of $40-$50 when included with certain kits. The manufacturer is offering consumers a choice of various replacement products for free.

Sen. Smith’s (R-Ore.) broadcast flag bill will be the starting point for legislation the Senate Commerce Committee hopes to mark up in mid-March that would give the FCC power to impose broadcast flag regulations, Chmn. Stevens (R-Alaska) said Tues. The action is seen as a preventative measure to keep pirated content from being distributed online. “We're going to push a broadcast flag bill and at the very least give the FCC the authority to do it,” he said at a hearing on the digital and audio flag issue. “I think we can enact a bill that will eliminate some of the problems that the FCC tried to work out,” Stevens said. But the audio flag issue is more difficult, he said.

Sen. Smith’s (R-Ore.) broadcast flag bill will be the starting point for legislation the Senate Commerce Committee hopes to mark up in mid-March that would give the FCC power to impose broadcast flag regulations, Chmn. Stevens (R-Alaska) said Tues. “We're going to push a broadcast flag bill and at the very least give the FCC the authority to do it,” he said at a hearing on the digital and audio flag issue. “I think we can enact a bill that will eliminate some of the problems that the FCC tried to work out,” Stevens said. But the audio flag issue is more difficult, he said.