On September 23, 2010, APHIS updated its Cut Flowers and Greenery Import Manual. The manual provides the background, procedures, and reference tables for regulating the fresh, cut portion of the plant when it is imported for decoration or ornamentation, and for protecting plants that are threatened with extinction due to trade in those plants or their derivatives.
As required by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Environmental Protection Agency has issued a notice of receipt and status report on the premanufacture notices (PMNs) and applications for test marketing exemptions (TMEs) it received from July 30, 2010 to August 31, 2010.
The State Department’s Advisory Committee on Private International Law will hold its annual meeting on developments in private international law on October 28 and 29, 2010, which is expected to focus on developments in a number of areas, including international arbitration, market stability and treaty law, and on-line dispute resolution.
The International Trade Administration's U.S. Commercial Service is organizing a Business Development Mission to explore ports and infrastructure development opportunities in Egypt (Cairo and Alexandria) and Morocco (Casablanca and Tangier), March 25 - April 1, 2011, which will focus on the opportunities in port logistics, infrastructure projects, safety and security, and energy infrastructure. Applications are due by January 21, 2011.
Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
The International Trade Administration's U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is organizing a Trade Mission to Amman, Jordan, and Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv, Israel on February 20-24, 2011, and a stop in Eilat, Israel, for companies involved in the renewable energies sector. The mission will also include companies involved in healthcare technologies, and cleantech (i.e. technologies that support increased productivity or profitability while also reducing resource consumption or pollution, otherwise referred to as clean technologies). Applications are due by December 20, 2010.
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has announced the official launch of an initiative aimed at preserving the global, free flow of information online to ensure that the Internet remains open for commercial opportunity and innovation, in support of the President’s National Export Initiative (NEI). The Commerce Department will publish a Notice of Inquiry, which will seek public comment on the extent to which evolving policies from governments around the world may be restricting information on the Internet and inhibiting innovation and economic growth for U.S. companies.
On September 23, 2010, APHIS updated the Manual for Agricultural Clearance. The manual provides CBP personnel working at airport and maritime locations with the guidelines, directions, and policy for clearing carriers and passengers/crew and controlling garbage and cargo.
The Transportation Security Administration has issued a final rule regarding its investigative and enforcement procedures, effective September 24, 2010, which extends the time for parties to reply to a petition for reconsideration or modification of a final decision and order of the TSA decision maker on appeal from 10 days after service to 30 days after service. Similarly, TSA extends the time for parties to reply to a motion from 10 to 30 days after service.
The International Trade Administration's U.S. Commercial Service is organizing a Franchise Trade Mission to India (Mumbai, Hyderabad, and New Delhi) from April 10-15, 2011, which will focus on assisting U.S. franchise companies to launch or increase their business in the Indian market. Applications are due by February 18, 2011.