The Washington File reports that the U.S. and South Korea will open negotiations on a comprehensive bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) to remove tariff and nontariff barriers and expand trade between the countries. The talks are expected to begin in or around May 2006 after a consultation period. (Washington File Pub 02/03/06, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/usinfo/Archive/2006/Feb/02-508129.html)
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued a limited exclusion order in its section 337 patent-based investigation of certain light-emitting diodes and products containing the same by reason of infringement of various patent claims. In addition, the ITC is announcing the termination of this investigation.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice requesting comments by 10 a.m. on February 13, 2006 regarding whether any foreign countries should be identified under Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act) (19 USC 2242), which is commonly referred to as the "Special 301" provision of the Trade Act.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule to amend its regulations at 7 CFR Parts 319, 330, and 340 regarding the importation of nursery stock. Comments on the proposed rule are due by February 13, 2006.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently issued notices announcing the availability of a revised compliance policy guide on prior notice (PN) of imported food as well as the second edition of a questions-and-answers (Q&A) document regarding the final rule on establishment and maintenance of records under the Bioterrorism Act.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) in order to consider whether there may be unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with some all terrain vehicles (ATVs). The CPSC is also considering what actions, both regulatory and non-regulatory, it could take to reduce ATV-related deaths and injuries.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final rule that affirms, without change, its amended interim final rule on the registration of food facilities under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (Bioterrorism Act).
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice announcing that it will conduct a Special 301 out-of-cycle review (OCR) focused on whether Ukraine has fully implemented certain improvements to its legislation protecting intellectual property rights (IPR) and has otherwise strengthened IPR enforcement.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently posted to its Web site a guidance document entitled "Questions and Answers Regarding the Establishment and Maintenance of Records" under the Bioterrorism Act. The FDA states that this Q&A represents the FDA's current thinking on this topic and is immediately effective.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. is lifting the 100% retaliatory duty rates that have been imposed since 2002 on imports of certain fuel oils, fertilizers, pigments, footwear, diamonds, etc. from the Ukraine.