Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff has issued a statement announcing the Bush Administration's intention to work with Congress to reform the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) by strengthening security measures to better facilitate the increased interest among some international allies in joining the program. Among other things, Secretary Chertoff noted that countries that are willing to assist the U.S. in doing effective checks on travelers could be put on track to enter the program soon. (DHS Statement, dated 11/28/06, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1164753617598.shtm)
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1. DHS Says Administration is Keen to Work With Congress on VWP Reforms
2. CBP Textile Teams Scheduled to Visit Hong Kong Factories in Dec. 2006
Shippers' NewsWire reports that teams of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are scheduled to visit factories in Hong Kong beginning December 2, 2006 to verify that suppliers are complying with laws regarding the importation of apparel and textiles. The visits will be conducted jointly with Hong Kong's Customs and Excise Department. Only factories that have given their prior consent will be visited and no enforcement action will be taken during the information-gathering events. (American Shipper Pub 11/29/06, www.americanshipper.com)
3. DHS Secure Borders and Open Doors Advisory Committee Meeting
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a notice announcing that the Secure Borders and Open Doors Advisory Committee, a subcommittee of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC), will hold a meeting on December 6, 2006, in order to receive progress reports on various programs and initiatives and to hold member deliberations. In the public interest and in an attempt to maximize openness, DHS is opening part of this meeting to the public even though Federal advisory committee subcommittee meetings are not required to be open. (D/N DHS-2006-0072, FR Pub 11/29/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-9443.pdf)
4. FDA to Hold Public Hearing to Solicit Views & Info Concerning Certain Electronic Submissions to FDA
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice announcing a public hearing, on December 18, 2006, to solicit general views and information on issues concerning the electronic submission of product information to the agency. In particular, FDA is seeking these views and information from interested persons on the feasibility and effect of an all-electronic submission environment, as well as issues related to an electronic regulatory information exchange platform. FDA notes that it is seeking responses to specific questions (see notice for questions). Comments and notices of participation are due by December 8, 2006. (D/N 2006N-0464, FR Pub 11/21/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-9313.pdf)
5. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Actions
The FTZB has issued the following notices of recent FTZ actions:
| Toptrans USA Inc. (CA) |
FMC notices (revocations, rescission of order & applications) (FR Pub 11/22/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-19778.pdf