Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. WTO Launches New Database With Members' Customs Duty Rates

2. GAO Letter on Climate Change Trade Measures

GAO has posted the letter it sent to the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee on climate change trade measures and considerations for U.S. policy makers. GAO also posted its testimony given before the Senate Finance Committee on climate trade measures and estimating industry effects. (Letter, dated 07/08/09, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09724r.pdf)

3. GAO Reports on DHS Transit Security Grant Program

GAO has issued its report to the Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee entitled "Transit Security Grant Program: DHS Allocates Grants Based on Risk, but Its Risk Methodology, Management Controls, and Grant Oversight Can Be Strengthened." (Report, dated June 2009, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09491.pdf)

4. GAO Reports on Safety of Bottled Water

The Government Accountability Office has issued its report to congressional requestors entitled "Bottled Water: FDA Safety and Consumer Protections Are Often Less Stringent Than Comparable EPA Protections for Tap Water." GAO also posted its written testimony on bottled water and FDA and consumer protections. (Report, dated June 2009, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09610.pdf)

5. FDA Issues Final Rule on Shell Eggs

The Food and Drug Administration is issuing a final rule, effective September 8, 2009, that requires shell egg producers to implement measures to prevent Salmonella Enteritidis from contaminating eggs on the farm and from further growth during storage and transportation. It requires these producers to maintain records concerning their compliance with the rule and to register with FDA. The final rule notes that shell eggs are currently only imported into the U.S. from one farm in New Zealand. (D/N FDA-2000-N-0190, FR Pub 07/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-16119.pdf)

6. FMC Meeting Schedule Changes for August

The Federal Maritime Commission's meetings scheduled for August 5th and 26th have been combined into one meeting, to be held Wednesday, August 19, 2009. (Notice, available at http://www.fmc.gov/home/August192009MeetingUpdate.asp)

7. EC 2008 Statistics Show Increase in Customs' IPR Actions

European Commission statistics on goods infringing intellectual property rights show a significant increase in customs activity for the sixth consecutive year. In 2008, customs registered over 49,000 cases of goods detained at the EU's external border, suspected of IPR infringements. A Frequently Asked Questions document on 2008 customs detentions is available here. (Press Release, dated 07/09/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1106&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

8. DEA, DOJ Establish Assessment of Annual Needs for Ephedrine, Etc.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Justice are establishing the initial 2009 Assessment of Annual Needs for the List I Chemicals Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and Phenylpropanolamine for 2009, effective August 10, 2009. (D/N DEA-314E, FR Pub 07/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-16152.pdf)

9. OFAC Unblocks Property of 49 Colombian SDNs and Blocked Persons

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of forty-nine Colombian individuals whose property and interests in property have been unblocked as of July 1, 2009, pursuant to Executive Order 12978 of October 21, 1995, Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions with Significant Narcotics Traffickers. (FR Pub 07/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-16153.pdf)

10. WTO Workshop to Focus on Environment-Related Private Standards

On July 9, 2009 the WTO will organize a workshop on environment-related private standards, certification and labeling requirements. This event will look at specific examples of environmental private standards in the fisheries, coffee, forestry and horticulture sectors. It will also examine the main challenges and opportunities faced by producers and exporters especially in developing countries. (Notice, dated 07/08/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/envir_08jul09_e.htm)

11. WCO Announces Success of Operation Demeter in Netting Illegal Shipments of Hazardous Waste

A joint global Customs initiative, coordinated by the World Customs Organization Secretariat, netted more than 30,000 tons and 1,500 pieces of illegal hazardous waste (ranging from household waste and scrap metal to discarded electronic goods and used vehicle parts) en route from Europe to countries in the Asia/Pacific region and Africa. The initiative ran between March and May 2009 and involved 64 countries. (Press Release, dated 07/08/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/press/default.aspx?lid=1&id=187)

12. BIS Announces Upcoming Meetings of Three Committees

The Bureau of Industry and Security is announcing the upcoming meetings of the following technical advisory committees in Washington, D.C.:

Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (July 29 and 30, 2009)

Materials Processing Equipment Technical Advisory Committee (July 22, 2009)

Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee (July 28, 2009)

13. Revised FDA Import Alerts

The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

Automatic Detention of Seafood and Seafood Products from Specific Manufacturers/Shippers Due to Decomposition and/or Histamines

Drugs From Firms Which Have Not Met Drug GMPs

Cosmetics Containing Illegal Colors

Devices That Have Not Met Device GMP'S

Manufacturers of Low Acid Canned Foods and Acidified Foods

Shrimp

Laser Pointers, Laser Gunsights, Laser Levels, Laser Light Shows, Laser Pointer Key Chains, & Similar Products that Fail to Comply with Applicable Performance Standards and Reporting Requirements

14. 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/prereljul09.html)