The Foreign Trade Zones Board has issued the following notices:
The Government Accountability Office has issued a report entitled “Southwest Border: More Timely Border Patrol Access and Training Could Improve Security Operations and Natural Resource Protection on Federal Lands." In its report, GAO recommends that steps be taken to help the Border Patrol expedite access to portions of federal lands by more quickly initiating required assessments.
The Congressional Research Service has issued a report entitled “The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S.” (CFIUS).
The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued a Global Agricultural Information Network report on Mexico’s revised labeling requirements for pre-packaged food and non-alcoholic beverages (NOM-051-SCFI/SSA1-2010).
The Justice Department has posted the October 18, 2010 remarks of Attorney General Eric Holder at the International Intellectual Property Summit in Hong Kong. He stated that protecting intellectual property is a top priority for the U.S. as its consequences are devastating. Holder notes that IP criminals aren’t just selling counterfeit clothing or electronics. They’re selling dangerous imitations of critical components, like brake pads, or everyday consumer goods, like toothpaste. He adds that enforcement is only as strong as its weakest link and not every country has done enough.
The Department of Energy is granting, effective September 20, 2010, a nationwide limited waiver of the Buy American requirements of section 1605 of the Recovery Act under the authority of Section 1605(b)(2) (iron, steel, and the relevant manufactured goods are not produced in the U.S. in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality) with respect to certain motorized doors, lighting systems, sensors and controllers, receivers, and tube lights.
The National Marine Fisheries Service has renewed its annual affirmative finding for El Salvador under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This affirmative finding will allow yellowfin tuna harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program by El Salvadorian-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under El Salvadorian jurisdiction to be imported into the U.S. The affirmative finding renewal is effective from April 1, 2010, through March 31, 2011.
The Department of Energy is granting an amended nationwide limited waiver of the Buy American requirements of section 1605 of the Recovery Act under the authority of Section 1605(b)(1) (amended public interest waiver), with respect to certain domestically and foreign manufactured solar photo-voltaic equipment. According to DoE, the waiver expires February 6, 2011 (six months from the date of the original waiver issuance).
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has announced the availability of a draft Policy for the Assessment of Civil Administrative Penalties and Permit Sanctions for public review and comment. The draft Penalty Policy is intended to provide guidance for the Assessment of civil administrative penalties and permit sanctions under the statutes and regulations enforced by NOAA.
The Departments of Justice, Commerce and State, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a joint statment on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Working Group on Bribery's commendation on U.S. enforcement efforts and high-level support for the fight against the bribery of foreign officials.