Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a final rule, effective December 3, 2008, amending the Iranian Transactions Regulations to expand the scope of Appendix A to Part 560 to include non-financial as well as financial institutions determined to be owned or controlled by the Government of Iran, and to add to the appendix three non-financial institutions that have been determined to be owned or controlled by the Government of Iran: The National Iranian Oil Company (aka NIOC), Naftiran Intertrade Company Ltd (aka NICO), and Naftiran Intertrade Co. (NICO) Sarl. (Final rule, FR Pub 12/04/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-28711.pdf.)
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.
1. OFAC Amends Iranian Transaction Regulations to Add to List of Institutions Controlled by Gov't
2. FMCSA Improves Medical Requirements for Commercial Truck Drivers, Etc.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a news release announcing that on December 1, 2008 it issued a final rule to finalize a streamlined process for combining the commercial drivers license (CDL) and medical certificate records for commercial truck and bus drivers operating on U.S. roads, etc. (DOT press release FMCSA 09-08, dated 12/01/08, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/fmcsa0908.htm.)
3. Nordstrom to Pay Civil Penalty for Failure to Report Drawstrings in Children's Outerwear
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a news release announcing that Nordstrom Inc. of Seattle, WA, has agreed to pay a $60,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that the firm knowingly failed to report to the CPSC immediately, as required by federal law, that its children's hooded jackets and sweaters were sold with drawstrings at the hood and neck. The settlement has been provisionally accepted by the CPSC. (CPSC press release 09-061, dated 12/03/08, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09061.html.)
4. FDA Announces Participants for Phase II of Its 3rd-Party Certification Pilot Program for Aquacultured Shrimp
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a news release announcing the participants in Phase II of its pilot program for voluntary third-party certification programs for imported aquacultured shrimp. Phase II, which will run through June 2009, will help the FDA develop the process for evaluating third-party certification programs. The pilot program responds to a recommendation in the President's Action Plan for Import Safety which called for the development of voluntary third-party certification programs for foreign producers who export to the U.S. (FDA press release, dated 12/02/08, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01919.html.)
5. FDA Revises Import Alert on Seafood Due to Salmonella
The FDA has issued a revised version of its Import Alert entitled "Detention Without Physical Examination of Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella." (IAS 16-81, revised 12/04/08, available at http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia1681.html.)
6. Details on Webinar on Hospitality and Contract Export Opportunities in China, Singapore
Export.gov has posted information to its Web site regarding the December 18, 2008 webinar on hospitality and contract export opportunities in China and Singapore. (Webinar information available at http://www.export.gov/industry/food/index.asp?EventID=28607.)
7. ITA Posts Information on International Fashion Fair
The International Trade Administration has posted information regarding the January 14-16, 2009 International Fashion Fair that will be held in Tokyo. (Fact sheet available at http://web.ita.doc.gov/tacgi/otextshw.nsf/cc73ebe04135d65985257450005439a3/1de5a977b4a2bb70852574a3006584ee?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=1_Section1.)
8. FSIS Notice on Importation of Canadian Cattle, Bison, Sheep, Goats
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a notice entitled "Importation of Canadian Cattle, Bison, Sheep, and Goats into the United States," which provides updated information to FSIS personnel about the receipt, slaughter, and inspection of cattle, bison, sheep, and goats imported from Canada. (FSIS notice 88-08, dated 12/01/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/88-08.pdf.)
9. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls
The CPSC has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:
| Product/Reason | Company | Release |
|---|---|---|
| Army Figures: Lead Paint Standard | OKK Trading (CA) | 09-060 |
| Groovy Fashions Sassy Jammies Doll Clothing Sets: Lead Paint Standard | Manhattan Group (MN) | 09-059 |
| Hockey Helmets: Head and Neck Injury Hazard | Reebok-CCM Hockey U.S. Inc. (VT) | 09-058 |
11. FSIS Updates Export Requirements, Plant Lists, Eligible Foreign Establishments
FSIS has posted updated export requirements for the following countries: Canada (beef, poultry, meat, etc.), Egypt(beef, poultry, red meat, etc.), and Mexico(beef, sheep, meat, poultry, etc.). FSIS has also updated lists of U.S. plants approved to export meats to Mexico, beef to Japan, pork to Russia, poultry to Russia. In addition, FSIS updated its list of eligible foreign establishments in Brazil, Canada, and New Zealandcertified to export meat, poultry, and/or egg products to the U.S.
12. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
India FAIRS Subject Report: GOI Releases the Final Import Protocol for Pet Food
India Cotton and Products: Quarterly Update - December
Poland Biotechnology: Update - Introduction of Feed Ban Extended; GM Cultivation Law
Venezuela Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety: Law on Agricultural Health