Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Economists Report Continuing Rise in Global Costs of Commodities

2. Coalition Urges Administration to Abide by WTO Decisions on "Zeroing"

The Consuming Industries Trade Action Coalition (CITAC) has sent a letter to the Bush Administration urging it to abide by World Trade Organization decisions regarding the U.S.' use of antidumping "zeroing" and to reject recent legislative proposals to ignore the WTO's decisions on the matter. CITAC adds that timely implementation of WTO decisions is necessary if the U.S. intends to employ the dispute settlement system to address violations by other WTO members. (CITAC press release with a link to its letter, dated 12/12/08, available at http://www.citac.info/press/release/2007/12_12.php)

3. Shippers Sue Freight Forwarders in Price Fixing Lawsuit

The Journal of Commerce reports that a group of shippers is suing several freight forwarders in a class-action lawsuit which claims the forwarders met to discuss and agree upon future price increases and share actual transaction prices. (JoC, dated 01/15/08, www.joc.com)

4. China Reports Flat Textile Exports to EU in 2007, but 20% Increase to U.S.

China's Textile and Economic Information Web site reports that China's textile and apparel exports to Europe (as a trade block) increased 17.61% to over $40 billion from January to November 2007; however shipments to the European Union itself, declined slightly to over $26 billion. CTEI states that much more robust growth was noted in shipments to the U.S., which grew nearly 20% to over $24 million. (CTEI notice, dated 01/15/08, available at http://www.ctei.gov.cn/english/e_show.asp?xx=6117)

5. CBP Posts Modification, Updates Responses on CSDs

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a modification (5) to its Request for Information (RFI) on conveyance security devices (CSDs, commonly referred to as container security devices). CBP has also posted a document providing updated responses to its questions and answers documents clarifying its RFI on CSDs. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/16/08 news, 08011610, for BP summary of CBP's RFI.) (CBP RFI documents, available at http://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/USCS/PDDC20229/Reference%2DNumber%2DRFICSD/listing.html)

6. Energy-Saving Bulb Sales Doubled from 2006 to 2007

The Department of Energy has issued a press release announcing that the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent light bulb sales for 2007 were nearly double those in 2006, accounting for approximately 20% of the light bulb market in the U.S. (DOE press release, dated 01/15/08, available at http://energy.gov/news/5825.htm)

7. State Dept's Int'l Telecommunication Advisory Committee to Meet in Feb.

The State Department's International Telecommunication Advisory Committee will meet to prepare advice on U.S. positions for the February 2008 meeting of the Telecommunication Development Advisory Group of the International Telecommunication Union on the Thursdays of January 17, 24, and 31, in Washington D.C. (Public Notice 6015, FR Pub 12/19/2007, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24633.pdf)

8. State Department Designates Two Entities Under Iran EO

The State Department has issued a notice publishing the names of two Iranian entities, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), whose property is blocked, effective October 25, 2007, pursuant to EO 13382, Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters. (Public Notice 6034, FR Pub 12/19/2007, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-6138.pdf)

9. APHIS Revises the National Animal Identification System User Guide

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a notice announcing it has revised the National Animal Identification System User Guide containing the most current information on how the system works and how producers may participate in NAIS. (APHIS Notice, D/N APHIS-2007-0147, FR Pub 12/19/2007, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24653.pdf)

10. FDA Modifies List of Recognized Standards For Premarket Reviews

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a notice announcing modifications to the list of standards FDA recognizes for use in premarket reviews, effective December 19, 2007. Comments may be submitted at any time. (FDA Notice, D/N 2004N-0226, FR Pub 12/19/2007, available athttp://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24580.pdf)

11. FDA Codifies Toll-Free Number for Reporting Purposes on Labeling

The Food and Drug Administration has issued an interim final rule, effective January 1, 2008, to codify the provisions of the proposed rule entitled, "Toll-Free Number for Reporting Adverse Events on Labeling for Human Drug Products," that became effective by operation of law on January 1, 2008. The interim final rule requires an added statement on product labeling of certain human drugs to include a toll-free number to be used for reporting purposes only. (FDA interim final rule, D/N 2003N-0342, FR Pub 01/03/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E7-25426.pdf)

12. TWIC Enrollment for Ports of Portland, Victoria, Kahului, and Kauai

The Transportation Security Administration has issued a notice announcing that Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) enrollment for Ports Portland, OR and Kahului, Maui, HI were scheduled to begin on January 17, 2008. Enrollment for Victoria, TX was to have begun on January 16, 2008; and Kauai, HI will be on January 25, 2008. (TSA Notice, D/Ns TSA-2006-24191; Coast Guard-2006-24196, FR Pub 01/03/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E7-25590.pdf)

13. AMS Sunset Review of Certain Substances Under the NOP

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) announcing the sunset review of 11 exempted substances and 1 prohibited substance added to the National List on November 3 and 4, 2003. This ANPR establishes November 3, 2008 as the date by which the sunset review and renewal process must be concluded and covers how the National Organic Program will manage the sunset review and renewal process. Submit comments by January 28, 2008. (AMS Notice, D/Ns AMS-TM-07-0124; TM-07-12, FR Pub 12/28/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-25270.pdf)

14. OFAC Unblocks 3 Individuals Under Drug Trafficking EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice publishing the names of three individuals whose property and interests in property have been unblocked, pursuant to Executive Order 12978, "Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions With Significant Narcotics Traffickers," and whose names have been removed from the list of Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers, effective December 27, 2007. (OFAC Notice, FR Pub 01/07/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E7-25591.pdf

15. TSA Announces TWIC Enrollment Dates for Several Ports

The Transportation Security Administration has issued a notice announcing that the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) enrollment will begin for the Ports of Bourne, MA and Green Bay, WI on January 23, 2008. Enrollments for the Ports of Pittsburgh, PA and Texas City, TX will begin on January 24, 2008; and the Ports of Salisbury, MD and Toledo, OH will begin on January 30, 2008. (TSA Notice, D/Ns TSA-2006-24191; Coast Guard-2006-24196, FR Pub 01/11/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-360.pdf)

16. ITA's Quarterly Update to Annual List of Foreign Subsidies of Cheese

The International Trade Administration has prepared its quarterly update to the annual list of foreign government subsidies on articles of cheese subject to an in-quota rate of duty during the period July 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007. (ITA Notice, FR Pub 01/03/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E7-25572.pdf)

17. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued separate press releases (dated 01/01/08 - 01/31/08) announcing that the following companies, in cooperation with the CPSC, are voluntarily recalling the products listed below. Due to the large number of recalls, this is Part I of a multi-part series of summaries. (Press releases available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereljan08.html)