1. WCO Calls on Customs Worldwide to Help in Ash Cloud Trade Recovery
1. FDA Issues Guidance on Tobacco Health Document Submission
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has rescheduled its vote on the draft proposed rule on component testing and the draft proposed "15 Month" rule on testing and labeling for product certification from April 21 until April 28, 2010. (CPSC calendar, updated 04/19/10, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/calendar.html)
On April 7, 2010, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano unveiled DHS' Open Government plan - leveraging public input to enhance transparency, public participation and collaboration as part of the Obama administration's Open Government Initiative. (Press release, dated 04/07/10, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1270662888919.shtm)
On February 1, 2010, the President submitted his fiscal year 2011 budget request (October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011) to Congress. The FY 2011 budget request for the Treasury Department is $13.9 billion, an increase of almost $500 million over what was enacted in FY 2010.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has submitted a proposed collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review regarding follow-up activities for product-related injuries. Comments on the information collection are due by May 6, 2010. (FR Pub 04/06/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-7670.pdf)
The Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency have jointly established new federal rules that set the first-ever national greenhouse gas emissions standards and will significantly increase the fuel economy of all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States. (NHTSA press release DOT 56-10, dated 04/01/10, available at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.f2217bee37fb302f6d7c121046108a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_viewID=detail_view&itemID=3941edcf677b7210VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD&pressReleaseYearSelect=2010.)
The Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously at their March 31, 2010 meeting to issue in the Federal Register a proposed rule, with changes from the previously posted draft version, on CPSC's interpretation of the term "children's product" as used in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and additional guidance on the factors that must be considered when evaluating what is a children's product. (Webcast available at http://www.cpsc.gov/webcast/previous.html)
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has changed the time of its March 31, 2010 open meeting in which it will vote on the proposed rule on the definition of children's products under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. The meeting will now begin at 4:00 pm instead of 9:00 am. (CPSC notice dated 03/31/10, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/calendarmast.html)
According to the World Trade Organization, global trade is set to rebound in 2010 by growing at 9.5%. Exports from developed economies are expected to increase by 7.5%, while shipments from the rest of the world should rise by around 11%. This strong expansion will help recover some but not all of the ground lost in 2009 when global trade contracted 12.2%. (Press release, dated 03/26/10, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres10_e/pr598_e.htm)