On August 6, 2009, the Bureau of Industry and Security and the Office of Foreign Assets Control announced that they have entered into a joint settlement agreement with DPWN Holdings (USA), Inc.1 and DHL Express (USA), Inc. (collectively DHL), regarding allegations that DHL unlawfully aided and abetted the illegal exportation of goods to Syria, Iran and Sudan and failed to comply with record keeping requirements of the Export Administration Regulations and OFAC regulations.
The Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission are scheduled to vote by August 7, 2009 on a draft Federal Register notice that announces the availability of its Statement of Policy concerning the tracking label provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). (The policy statement on tracking labels was posted to the CPSC website in July 2009.) (Notice, dated 07/31/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia09/brief/trackinglabelpolicy.pdf)
The White House has posted a statement by the President on the House passage of the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009. In his statement, the President commends the House of Representatives for its passage and states that he looks forward to working with the Senate to enact food safety legislation. (Statement, dated 07/30/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Statement-by-the-President-on-House-Passage-of-the-Food-Safety-Enhancement-Act-of-2009/.)
On July 24, 2009, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano unveiled five new efficiency initiatives, marking the fourth milestone in the Department-wide Efficiency Review launched in March. According to DHS, the new initiatives will streamline operations, improve customer service, and help stretch homeland security dollars. (DHS press release, dated 07/24/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1248468743775.shtm.)
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a final rule, effective July 23, 2009, which amends the Iranian Transactions Regulations to revise the definition of the term "Iranian accounts."
Washington Trade Daily reports that the President's chief economic advisor recently said that the President is not likely to focus on the three pending free trade agreements until the U.S. and global economies improve. (WTD, dated 07/19/09) available at www.washingtontradedaily.com.)
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has posted the statement from USTR spokeswoman Carol Guthrie on the recent conclusion of the 5th round of negotiations for the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) that was held in Rabat on July 16 and 17, 2009. Participants in this meeting agreed that the next round will be hosted by the Republic of Korea in November 2009. With regard to the progress of negotiations, participants confirmed their intention to conclude the agreement as soon as possible in 2010. (Press Release, dated 07/20/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/july/statement-ustr-spokeswoman-carol-guthrie-anti-counte-0)
In June 2009, the World Customs Organization Council adopted 221 sets of recommended amendments to the Harmonized System Nomenclature, to enter into force on 1 January 2012. Contracting Parties have 6 months during which they can object to a recommended amendment. Recommended amendments available here. (Notice, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/home_wco_topics_hsoverviewboxes_tools_and_instruments_backgrounddocumenths2012.htm)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement reports that its criminal arrests on the Southwest Border have increased more than 17 percent through the first three quarters of Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, compared to the same period in FY 2008. In the nine months from Oct. 1, 2008 through June 29, 2009, ICE made 6,834 criminal arrests compared with 5,802 arrests during the same period last year. (News Release, dated 07/14/09, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0907/090714washington.htm)
Consumer Product Safety Commission staff have requested that the CPSC Commissioners vote by July 10 on whether to give the youth all-terrain vehicle (ATV) industry an additional 90 days to file a report on the lead content of component parts of youth ATVs, off-road motorcycles, and snowmobiles (collectively youth ATVs), made of metal that are accessible to children. The report is required by the CPSC's stay of enforcement of the lead content limits for certain parts of these youth ATVs, and had been due July 11, 2009. (CPSC notice available at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia09/brief/rvlead.pdf.)