Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. WCO Announces Three Countries Join Revised Kyoto Convention on Customs Procedures

2. New CARB Tools to Help Truckers Comply with Clean Air Regs

The California Air Resources Board has released several tools to help the trucking community comply with a variety of clean air regulations adopted by ARB in recent years, including rules aimed at reducing diesel pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from heavy duty "big rigs". One tool is a new Web portal called the "Truck Stop" at http://www.arb.ca.gov/truckstop, which provides the user with a one-stop shop experience for information pertaining to the trucking community. (News Release, dated 06/26/09, available at http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/nr062609.htm)

3. NY-NJ Port Authority Approves Additional Rail Incentives

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's Board of Commissioners have approved a new incentive program to encourage shippers to transport their cargo via new rail routes. The program will provide an incentive of $25 per container shipped by rail to any company booking a container on a railroad to or from a new ExpressRail origin or destination that was started since the beginning of 2009. (Press release 78-2009, dated 06/25/09, available at http://www.panynj.gov/AboutthePortAuthority/PressCenter/PressReleases/PressRelease/index.php?id=1255)

4. Columbus Pipeline on Employee Lists

U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Port of Columbus has issued a Pipeline regarding the submission of employee lists by container freight station (CFS), customs bonded warehouse (CBW) and foreign trade zone (FTZ) operators. (Pipeline No. 09-005 is available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

5. GAO Offers Recommendations to DHS on New Systems Testing

The Government Accountability Office followed up on its recent assessment of the Department of Homeland Security's testing of advanced spectroscopic portal monitors, in the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, and offered the following recommendations on testing procedures applicable to additional new technologies: 1) set criteria for ensuring test requirements are met; 2) have the end user of the technology participate in tests and 3) have an independent test authority participate. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/25/09 news, 09062520, for BP summary of GAO report on DNDO testing of ASP monitors.) GAO report, dated 06/25/09, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09804t.pdf)

6. Canada Posts Regulatory Statement on Proposed Prohibition of Bisphenol A in Baby Bottles

In the June 27, 2009 edition of the Canada Gazette, Canada's Department of Health posted a regulatory statement on its proposed order to amend Schedule I of the Hazardous Products Act to include polycarbonate baby bottles that contain bisphenol A, thus prohibiting the advertisement, sale and importation in Canada of these products. (Notice, dated 06/27/09, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2009/2009-06-27/html/reg5-eng.html)

7. Japan Revises Household Goods Quality Labeling Handbook

The Office of Textiles and Apparel reports that the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Consumer Affairs Department (METI) has notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) the revision of compliance items on the Quality Labeling Rules for plastic, textile and miscellaneous goods with intention to reflect the request from consumers and industries, technical improvement and changes in circumstances surrounding the products. These rules affect textile and apparel products and miscellaneous manufactured goods. (Notice, dated 06/26/09, available at http://web.ita.doc.gov/otexa/hotiss.nsf/7bfa72c94f543da685256e5b00498a4d/c5948e9ba1123eab852575e10043f7e1?OpenDocument)

8. WTO, UNEP Issue Report on Trade and Climate Change

The WTO and UNEP have issued a report which explains for the first time the connections between trade and climate change. According to the report, there is a profound need for a successful conclusion to the current negotiations on both climate change and trade opening. WTO Director General Lamy also issued a statement on trade and climate change which is available here. (Report, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres09_e/pr559_e.htm)

9. China's AQSIQ Reports No Cocaine Found in Imported Raw Materials of Red Bull Drinks

China's General Administration of Quality Supervision Inspection and Quarantine issued a press release announcing that it had implemented a special cocaine test on imported raw materials used by three manufacturers of Red Bull Vitamin Drink Company in Beijing, Hubei and Hainan and found no cocaine in the materials. This was in apparent response to media reports of Taiwanese officials finding traces of cocaine in Red Bull drinks earlier in June. (Notice, dated 06/29/09, available at http://english.aqsiq.gov.cn/NewsRelease/NewsUpdates/200906/t20090629_120014.htm)

10. WTO Launches 2nd Global Review of Aid for Trade

The World Trade Organization has launched its Second Global Review of Aid for Trade which is aimed at expanding the trade capacity of developing countries. (Notice, dated 06/29/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres09_e/pr560_e.htm)

11. U.S. and Dominican Republic Sign Merida Initiative Agreement

The State Department has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. Charg d'Affaires to the Dominican Republic and Dominican Minister of the Interior and Police signed the first letter of agreement implementing the Mrida Initiative, a multi-year regional effort to combat organized crime, gangs and the trafficking of narcotics and firearms on June 26, 2009. (Press release, dated 06/29/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/06a/125460.htm.)

12. Company Fined for Selling Malaysian-made Furniture to Government

The Justice Department announced that Indiana-based GSA Contractor J Squared Inc., d/b/a University Loft Company, must pay $400,000 to resolve contract fraud allegations for allegedly violating provisions of the U.S. Trade Agreements Act, by knowingly selling Malaysian-made furniture to government purchasers. Competitors filed a lawsuit on behalf of the U.S. government and will receive a $66,000 share of the recovery. (Notice, dated 06/26/09, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/June/09-civ-633.html)

13. APHIS Posts Canadian Questionnaire for U.S. Facilities on July 1 Requirement for Non-Bovinae Pet Foods

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has posted a questionnaire to be completed by U.S. facilities that desire to continue exporting to Canada pet foods/treats/compound chews with no bovinae ingredients (except milk/dairy, protein free tallow, rawhide, and other ingredients identified as essentially BSE risk free). The questionnaire should be given to the Canadian importer. As of July 1, 2009, non-bovinae pet foods/treats/compound chews will be enterable into Canada with a valid import permit and an Importer's Statement of Compliance for each shipment. (Questionnaire, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/products/downloads/ca_pf_nb.pdf)

14. APHIS Updates Its Fruits and Vegetable Import PPQ Manual

APHIS has issued a June 26, 2009 version of its Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Import manual. This manual lists by country the fruits and vegetables that are admissible into the U.S. It includes a description of methods for sampling and inspecting selected fruits and vegetables, pictorial identification guides, and a glossary for common and scientific names of fruits and vegetables. (Manual, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/fv.pdf)

15. APHIS Updates its Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ Manual

APHIS has issued a June 26, 2009 version of its Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ manual, used for regulating imported items that are processed and are not intended for propagation. (Manual, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/miscellaneous.pdf)

16. FDA Draft Guidance on Salmonella in Food with Pistachio-Derived Ingredients

The Food and Drug Administration has issued draft guidance for industry on measures to address the risk for contamination by salmonella species in food containing a pistachio-derived product as an ingredient. (D/N FDA-2009-D-0271, FR Pub 06/29/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-15202.pdf)

17. FSIS Modifies its Instructions on Ukraine Export Requirements for Pork and Products

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has updated its Ukraine Export Requirements to show that pork and pork products are again eligible for export to that country. (Instructions, dated 06/26/09, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/Ukraine_Requirements/index.asp)

18. FSIS Modifies its Instructions on Argentina Export Requirements for Pork and Products

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has updated its Argentina Export Requirements to show that fresh/frozen pork and pork products are ineligible for export to that country. (Instructions, dated 06/25/09, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Argentina_Requirements/index.asp)

19. FSIS Modifies its Instructions on Peru Export Requirements for Cooked Pork Products

FSIS has updated its Peru Export Requirements to state that for cooked pork sausage or similar cooked pork products - obtain FSIS Form 9060-5 - Export Certificate for Wholesomeness. Additionally, certification statements must be place in the "Remarks" section of the FSIS Form 9060-5 or on an accompanying FSIS letterhead certificate. (Instructions, dated 06/26/09, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/Peru_Requirements/index.asp)

20. FSIS Amends its List of U.S. Plants Eligible to Export Pork and Poultry Products to Russia

FSIS has updated its Russian Federation Export requirements to indicate that two U.S. plants will no longer be eligible to export pork and pork products as of July 8, 2009. A similar change is made for exports of poultry. (List, dated 06/26/09, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?main=http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OFO/export/lrupork.htm)

21. USDA Accepts Four Dairy Export Incentive Program Bids

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation announced on June 26, 2009 the acceptance of bids from exporters under the Dairy Export Incentive Program for:

Cheddar Cheese to Asia and Eurasia

Nonfat Dry Milk to Africa and Middle East

22. OMB Approves APHIS Proposed Rule on New Category of Imported Nursery Stock

The Office of Management and Budget has approved APHIS' proposed rule that would establish a new category for the importation of nursery stock, also known as plants for planting. This category would list taxa of plants for planting whose importation is not authorized pending risk assessment. (Notice, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch;jsessionid=0a65171430d67cd3029db0d740c3ad87b0bad0c976a4.e38Nch4NbhuNa40Lc3eKchqMaN8Me6fznA5Pp7ftolbGmkTy)

23. OMB Approves Final Rule on Energy Efficiency Standards for General Service Lamps

The OMB has approved an Energy Department final rule on energy efficiency standards for general service fluorescent lamps and incandescent lamps. (Notice, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch;jsessionid=0a65171430d67cd3029db0d740c3ad87b0bad0c976a4.e38Nch4NbhuNa40Lc3eKchqMaN8Me6fznA5Pp7ftolbGmkTy)

24. FTZB Approves New Zone in Butte, Montana

The Foreign Trade Zones Board has approved the establishment of a new zone, FTZ 274, for the City and County of ButteSilver Bow in Butte, Montana. (FR Pub 06/29/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-15331.pdf)

25. OFAC Updates is SDN List

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has deleted certain names from its Specially Designated Nationals list. (List, dated 06/26/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20090626.shtml)

26. BIS Offers Export Management & Compliance Seminar in Texas

The Bureau of Industry and Security will sponsor "How To Develop An Export Management and Compliance Program," a seminar designed to help companies create or enhance their export compliance program, focusing on best practices, July 21-22, 2009 in Austin, Texas. (Notice, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/seminarsandtraining/austintx_july_21_22_09.html)

27. Annual BIS Export Controls and Policy Conference Sept. 30 - Oct. 2

The Bureau of Industry and Security's annual Update Conference on Export Controls and Policy will be held on September 30 - October 2, 2009 in Washington, DC. Online "Interest Forms" must be submitted between June 25 and July 17. If the event is oversubscribed, BIS will grant registration through a random selection. (Notice, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/seminarsandtraining/2009_update.htm)

28. DTAG Posts New Priorities

The Defense Trade Advisory Group has posted a summary of its New Priorities Discussion following its April 7, 2009 Working Group proceedings, with a list of future projects including US Military List revisions, additional terms updates as Directorate of Defense Trade Controls releases guidance, review of International Traffic in Arms Regulations for reassessment of Society of Manufacturing Engineers classifications, and reexamination and update of exemptions. (Summary, dated 04/07/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/DTAG/documents/NewPriorities.doc)

29. DTAG Definitions Working Group Report Posted

The Defense Trade Advisory Group has posted the report of its Definitions Working Group on proposed new definitions, which it submitted to the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls for consideration on April 24, 2009. (Report, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/DTAG/documents/ITARDefinitions_26Jun09.pdf)

30. 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/prereljun09.html)