Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. WTO Expects Global Trade to Grow 9.5% in 2010

2. AAFA Submits Comments Supporting Trans-Pacific Partnership FTA

The American Apparel and Footwear Association has submitted comments to the International Trade Commission regarding the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement. In its comments, AAFA expressed support for the negotiation of this FTA because it believes the FTA will have a positive impact on its industry and on the U.S. (Comments, dated 03/23/10, available at http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/letters/tppcommentsitc100323.pdf)

3. US/EU Negotiators Reach Agreement on Stage Two of Open Skies Talks

The United States and the European Union have reached agreement to expand their 2007 Open-Skies agreement. The new agreement deepens U.S.-EU cooperation in aviation security, safety, competition, and ease of travel. In addition, it provides greater protections for U.S. carriers from local restrictions on night flights. It also provides for high labor standards in the airline industry. (Press release, dated 03/25/10, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot5210.htm)

4. EC Posts Documents on "Second Stage" Open Skies Agreement with U.S.

The European Commission has issued a press release and a FAQ document on the 25 March 2010 tentative agreement reached with the U.S. on a "second stage" air services accord which builds upon the success of the 2007 EU-US Open Skies Agreement. (Press release, dated 03/25/10, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/371&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

5. FDA Issues ANPR on Electronic Registration for Medical Devices, Etc

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to receive comments on whether certain exemptions and prohibitions should be continued under the National Organic Program, and to establish dates and discuss how the NOP will manage the sunset review and renewal process. Comments are due by May 25, 2010. (D/N AMS-NOP-09-0074; NOP-09-01, FR Pub 03/26/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-6683.pdf)

6. FDA Small Entity Guidance on Bottled Water Testing

The Food and Drug Administration is announcing the availability of a guidance for industry entitled, "Bottled Water: Total Coliform and E. coli Small Entity Compliance Guide," which is intended to set forth in plain language the requirements of the final rule published in the May 29, 2009 Federal Register, which requires bottled water manufacturers to test source water for total coliform. (D/N FDA-2010-D-0141, FR Pub 03/26/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-6699.pdf)

7. DOE Short Term Buy American Waivers to Purchase LEDs, HVACs

On March 19, 2010, the Department of Energy granted nationwide limited waivers of Buy American requirements for the purchase of light-emitting diode LED lighting (lamps, fixtures, and any supporting components) and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units. These limited waivers will expire on March 31, 2010, with certain LED traffic light exceptions. (FR Pub 03/26/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-6720.pdf)

8. OFAC Adds Individual to List of Persons Blocked Under Terrorism EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is targeting the support network of al-Qai'da in Iraq (AQI) by designating Muthanna Harith al-Dari for providing financial, material, or technological support and financial or other services to or in support of AQI under Executive Order 13224, "Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism," effective March 18, 2010. (Press release, dated 03/25/10, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg612.htm)

9. WTO Doha Stocktaking Exercise Ends, Members Not Very Close to Goal

At the close of the World Trade Organization's Doha "stocktaking" exercise, WTO Director General Lamy acknowledged disappointment at not being closer to the final goal, but stated that Members are ready to start working towards weaving all strings of the negotiations into an overall package. (News release, dated 03/26/10, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news10_e/tnc_dg_stat_26mar10_e.htm)

10. OECD Members Praise Turkey for Anti-Bribery Efforts

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development states that Turkey has made significant progress in its efforts to combat bribery in international business deals by fully implementing all but one of the recommendations made by the OECD Working Group on Bribery in 2007, earning praise during a recent meeting of other members of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. (Notice, dated 03/25/10, available at http://www.oecd.org/document/58/0,3343,en_2649_34859_44856378_1_1_1_37447,00.html)

11. Japanese Survey Finds Significant IPR Infringement in China

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has posted the results of a "Field Survey of Intellectual Property Rights Infringement in China." The survey reveals that in fiscal year 2008, 53% of Japanese companies suffered IPR infringement in China and over half of the companies that used China's remedial procedures found the Chinese authorities' responding actions inadequate. (Press release, dated 03/23/10, available at http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/data/20100323_01.html)

12. CPSC Announces March 31 Closed Compliance Meeting

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a closed Sunshine Act meeting on March 31, 2010, in which the staff will brief the Commissioners on various compliance matters. (FR Pub 03/26/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-6939.pdf)

13. CPSC Announces April 7 Closed Compliance Meeting

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a closed Sunshine Act meeting on April 7, 2010, in which the staff will brief the Commissioners on various compliance matters. (FR Pub 03/26/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-6934.pdf)

14. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:

(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmar10.html)

15. APHIS Agricultural Clearance PPQ Manual Updated

On March 22, 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. (Manual, updated 03/22/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/mac.shtml)

16. FSIS Updates List of Sweden Establishments Eligible to Export Meat & Poultry

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued an updated version of its list of Sweden establishments eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S. (List, updated 03/23/10, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Sweden_establishments.pdf)

17. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Report

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN report:

India - Oilseeds and Products Update: Quarterly Update - March 2010

(Report, dated 03/19/10, available at http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Recent%20GAIN%20Publications/Oilseeds%20and%20Products%20Update_New%20Delhi_India_3-19-2010.pdf)

18. FSIS Updates List of Instructions and U.S. Plants for Exporting Meat and Poultry to Foreign Countries

FSIS has provided updated information for the export of U.S. meat and poultry to the following country:

Russia (Pork) Plant List (Revised March 24, 2010)

19. Revised FDA Import Alerts

The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

99-08: Processed Foods for Pesticides

80-04: Surgeon's and Patient Examination Gloves

66-41: Unapproved New Drugs Promoted in The U.S.

45-02: Foods Containing Illegal and/or Undeclared Colors

21-11: Ackees

16-125: Refrigerated (Not Frozen) Vacuum Pak or Modified Atmosphere Packaged Raw Fish and Fishery Product

16-124: Aquaculture Seafood Products Due To Unapproved Drugs

16-81: Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella