Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
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)
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1. CPSC Approves Proposed Rule on CPSIA Definition of Children's Products
2. European Chemicals Agency Adds Acrylamide to REACH "Candidate List"
On March 30, 2010, the European Chemicals Agency added Acrylamide to the "Candidate List" of Substances Very High Concern. Substances placed on the Candidate List face immediate notification requirements by companies using them and could eventually be made subject to the "authorization" component of the EU's REACH program, which means they can not be used without authorization. (Press release, dated 03/30/10, available at http://echa.europa.eu/doc/press/pr_10_05_acrylamide_20100330.pdf)
3. Tianjin, Shanxi "Direct Release" Customs Inspection and Quarantine MOU
GOV.cn reports that Tianjin CIQ and Shanxi CIQ signed a cooperation memo on direct release in the two areas of inspection and quarantine. The direct release of Tianjin port would be based on enterprise credit management and goods risk analysis, adhere to the principle of "Whoever inspects is responsible", etc. Shanxi will focus on carrying out quality inspection, among other areas. (News release, dated 03/30/10, available at http://english.aqsiq.gov.cn/NewsRelease/NewsUpdates/201003/t20100330_139921.htm)
4. Commission Transcript from China S-East Asia Activities Hearing Available
A transcript of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission's February 4 hearing on "China's Activities in Southeast Asia and the Implications for U.S. Interests" is now available. (Transcript, dated 02/04/10, available at http://www.uscc.gov/hearings/2010hearings/transcripts/10_02_04_trans/10_02_04_trans.pdf)
5. OFAC Updates List of Authorized Providers for Certain Services to Cuba
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has updated its list of authorized providers of air, travel, and remittance forwarding services to Cuba. OFAC periodically and routinely updates the names and addresses of the Service Providers for the benefit of the public. (List, dated 03/31/10, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs/cuba/cuba_tsp.pdf)
6. ITA Announces April 15 Civil Nuclear Trade Committee Meeting
The International Trade Administration is announcing the schedule and proposed agenda for the public meeting of the Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee on April 15, 2010 in Washington, DC, which will include discussion of civil nuclear trade priority issues. (FR Pub 03/31/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-7209.pdf)
7. WTO Panel Composed for China Raw Material Export Restriction Dispute
The European Commission states that on April 1, 2010, a new electronic system for monitoring and controlling the movement of excise goods (alcohol, tobacco and energy products) within the EU becomes operational. The Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS) will make intra-EU trade in excise goods cheaper and simpler for operators, while making it easier for Member States to tackle excise fraud. (Notice, dated 03/30/10, available at http://docsonline.wto.org/DDFDocuments/t/wt/ds/398-7.doc)
8. EU Electronic System to Monitor Alcohol, Tobacco, Etc Takes Effect April 1, 2010
The European Commission states that on April 1, 2010, a new electronic system for monitoring and controlling the movement of excise goods (alcohol, tobacco and energy products) within the EU becomes operational. The Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS) will make intra-EU trade in excise goods cheaper and simpler for operators, while making it easier for Member States to tackle excise fraud. (Press Release, posted 03/31/10, available at http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/index_en.htm)
9. Canada Relaxes Direct Shipment Requirement for Haiti Preference Trade
Canada has amended its General Preferential Tariff and Least Developed Country Tariff regulations to exempt, in light of the situation resulting from Haiti's January 12, 2010 earthquake, goods originating in Haiti from the direct shipment requirement for preferential tariff treatment under the General Preferential Tariff (GPT) and Least Developed Country Tariff (LDCT) treatments. (Notice, dated 03/11/10, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2010/2010-03-31/html/sor-dors58-eng.html)
10. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recall
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recall:
| Product: Reason | Company | Release |
|---|---|---|
| Posey, Lily, Rose and Daisy Girls' Ski Jackets: Entrapment Hazard | Sport Obermeyer, Ltd. (CO) | 10-183 |
(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmar10.html)
11. 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:
76-01: Surgical Instruments
66-41: Unapproved New Drugs Promoted in The U.S.
45-02: Foods Containing Illegal and/or Undeclared Colors
16-81: Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella
12. APHIS Animal Product PPQ Manual Updated
On March 29, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Animal Product Manual. This Manual provides the background, procedures, and regulatory actions to enforce the regulations governing the import and export of animals, animal products, and animal by-products. (Manual, updated 03/29/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/apm.shtml)
13. APHIS Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ Manual Updated
On March 29, 2010, APHIS updated its Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ Manual. The manual is used for regulating imported items that are processed and are not intended for propagation. (Manual, updated 03/29/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/miscellaneous.pdf)
14. APHIS Postentry Quarantine PPQ Manual for State Inspectors Updated
On March 29, 2010, APHIS updated its Postentry Quarantine PPQ Manual for State Inspectors. This manual covers procedures for conducting PEQ tasks beginning with the request to approve a growing site and ending with the release or refusal of the plant material. (Manual, updated 03/29/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/domestic/downloads/postentry.pdf)
15. APHIS Treatment PPQ Manual Updated
On March 29, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Treatment Manual. This Manual serves as an operational guide for selecting and conducting quarantine treatments. The procedures and treatment schedules in this manual are administratively authorized for use by APHIS to prevent the movement of agricultural pests into or within the United States. Listed treatments include chemical treatments such as fumigation with methyl bromide, and nonchemical treatments with heat, cold, or irradiation. (Manual, updated 03/29/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/treatment.shtml)
16. FSIS Updates Lists of Establishments Eligible to Export Meat & Poultry
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued updated versions of its lists of Australia (03/30/10), Canada (03/30/10), France (03/30/10), Honduras (03/29/10), Mexico (03/29/10) and Sweden (03/29/10) establishments eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S.
17. FSIS Issues Notices for its Inspection Personnel and Public
FSIS has issued the following notices:
Notice 16-10 (March 25, 2010): Reporting Field Screen Residue Results in the eSAMPLE Application
Directive 7530.1 (March 25, 2010): Handling a Process Deviation or Abnormal Container of Thermally Processed, Commercially Sterile Canned Product - Revision 2
Directive 9500.8 (March 30, 2010): Importation of Products for Other Than Commercial Purposes
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 countries:
South Africa (Revised March 29, 2010)
Canada (Revised March 29, 2010)
Russia (Pork) Plant List (Revised March 29, 2010)