Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. DOT, EPA Set National Standards for Fuel Economy and GHG Emissions for Cars and Light Trucks

2. TTB Updates Its Procedures for Lab Worker Certification for Wine and Spirits Exports

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has revised its instructions on how individuals that work for qualified labs can apply for TTB certification to conduct the wine and distilled spirits chemical analysis that some counties require as a condition of entry. TTB adds that only some countries allow the analysis to be performed in the exporting country by certified individuals. (Procedure No. 2010-1, dated 03/25/10, available at http://www.ttb.treas.gov/procedures/2010-1.pdf.)

3. U.S.-China Commission to Hold Hearing on Environmental Policies

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission will hold a public hearing in Washington, DC on April 8, 2010, "China's Green Energy and Environmental Policies," which will examine China's domestic and international clean energy policies and the implications for the U.S. bilateral trade and economic relationship with China. (FR Pub 04/02/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-7433.pdf)

4. NIST Announces New Voluntary Softwood Lumber Standard

The National Institute of Standards and Technology announced that voluntary product standard DOC PS 20-10 "American Softwood Lumber Standard" will supersede DOC PS 20-05 effective June 1, 2010. The Standard establishes sizes and requirements for developing and coordinating the grades of softwood lumber, the assignment of design values, and the preparation of grading rules. (D/N 090306279-0146-02, FR Pub 04/02/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-7494.pdf)

5. CPSC to Vote on FR Notice Announcing 1st Phthalates Panel Meeting

The Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commissionare set to vote by April 5, 2010 on a draft Federal Register notice announcing the first meeting of the Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) on Phthalates on April 14-15, 2010. CPSC appointed this panel to study the effects on children's health of all phthalates and phthalate alternatives used in children's toys child care articles, as required by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. (CPSC ballot sheet and draft FR notice (posted 04/01/10) available at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia10/brief/phthalatesdraftFR.pdf)

6. DOE Announces New Standards for Water Heaters, Gas Fireplaces, Etc.

Department of Energy Secretary Chu announced that DOE has finalized higher energy efficiency standards for residential water heaters, pool heaters and direct heating equipment such as gas fireplaces that will together save consumers up to $10 billion and prevent up to 164 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over 30 years. (DOE press release, dated 04/01/10, available at http://www.energy.gov/news/8816.htm.)

7. APHIS Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance PPQ Manual Updated

On March 31, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance Manual. This Manual serves as a guide for authorized Federal officers at ports of entry along the Canadian Border. (Manual, updated 03/31/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/canadian.shtml.)

8. EU 2020 Trade Policy to Focus on Doha, U.S. Relations, Etc

European Commissioner for Trade De Gucht has announced that the European Commission will issue its trade policy for 2020 later this year. Among other things, the trade strategy will focus on multilateralism and the completion of Doha, inherited bilateral trade negotiations, a focus on U.S. and China relations, and a review of the EU's General System of Preferences. (Press release, with link to De Gucht's speech, dated 03/24/10, available at http://ec.europa.eu/trade/maintenance/html/press-release-539-327_en.htm)

9. New CBSA ACI Exemption for Goods that Transit Canadian Waters

Effective April 1, 2010, the Canada Border Services Agency will no longer require Advance Commercial Information (ACI) for goods on board of a conveyance that enters Canadian waters while it is proceeding directly from one place outside of Canada to another place outside of Canada. (Notice, dated 04/01/10, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn10-006-eng.html)

10. Japan Reports on Its Major Partners' Compliance with Trade Agreements

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry has issued a press release on its 2010 report on Compliance by Major Trading Partners with Trade Agreements as well as METI's priorities based on the report. Among other things, Japan urges the U.S. to stop distributing "Byrd Amendment" duty revenues, implement WTO recommendations on "zeroing," etc. (News release, dated 04/01/10, available at http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/data/pdf/20100401_01a.pdf)

11. BIS Denies Export Privileges, Imposes Penalties for Exports to Iran

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued two orders denying certain export privileges for a period of ten years and imposing civil penalties of $100,000 each against Aqua-Loop Cooling Towers, Co. and Bob Rahimzadeh for the export of items subject to the Export Administration Regulations to Iran via the United Arab Emirates without the required U.S. Government authorization, etc.

12. OFAC Publishes Blocked Individual Under Terrorism EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of one newly-designated individual whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13224, "Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism," effective March 25, 2010. (FR Pub 04/02/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-7423.pdf)

13. 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/prerelapr10.html)

14. Foreign Trade Zone Board Actions and Notices

The Foreign Trade Zone Board has issued the following:

FTZ 75 - Approval for Expansion: Foreign Trade Zone 75; Phoenix, AZ

15. FSIS Updates List of Instructions and U.S. Plants for Exporting Meat and Poultry to Foreign Countries

FSIS has provided updated information for the export of U.S. meat and poultry to the following country:

European Union (Revised March 31, 2010)

16. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

EU-27 - New EU Animal Health Law anticipated in 2010: Livestock and Products

Egypt - Retail Foods: Retail Food Sector

Venezuela - Grain and Feed Annual: Severe drought affecting domestic grain harvest

Japan - FOODEX JAPAN 2010: Market Development Reports

Japan - Launch of Partners in Agriculture with Ambassador Roos: Market Development Reports

17. 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:

99-19: Food Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella

95-04: 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

71-04: Animal Feeds, Other Than Pet Treats, Due to the Presence of Salmonella

16-81: Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella