The Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing a final rule listing the Atlantic pigtoe, (Fusconaia masoni), a freshwater mussel species from Virginia and North Carolina, as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Listing includes a 4(d) rule for this species that prohibits importation and exportation without a permit. New import and export restrictions set by the agency’s final rule take effect Dec. 16.
The Federal Trade Commission will vote at a Nov. 18 open meeting on whether to issue orders to large retailers and consumer goods suppliers to study the competition impact of supply chain disruptions, the agency said Nov. 10. The FTC Act Section 6(b) study would “focus on why these disruptions occur, whether they are leading to specific bottlenecks, shortages, anticompetitive practices, or contributing to rising consumer prices.”
The Federal Maritime Commission is accepting applications to fill a vacant spot on its recently formed National Shipper Advisory Committee, the FMC said in a notice released Nov. 2. The commission “excused” one committee member in September after the person changed jobs, which “altered the balance of the Committee,” the FMC said. The committee must be composed equally of importers and exporters. FMC is accepting applications, due Nov. 17, from an “entity who imports cargo to the United States using ocean common carriers.” The committee membership was announced Sept. 9, and it held its first meeting last month, when members said a new surcharge imposed by two California ports could severely exacerbate unfair detention and demurrage fees (see 2110280031).
The Federal Trade Commission is updating Energy Guide labeling requirements for central air conditioners, it said in a final rule released Oct. 19. The amendments “update the comparability ranges and sample labels for central air conditioners,” in light of recent changes to Energy Department energy efficiency standards, the FTC said. Compliance with the new labeling requirements is required by Jan. 1, 2023, though manufacturers may choose to conform before then, it said.
The Drug Enforcement Administration proposed 2022 quotas for the manufacture and import of controlled substances listed in Schedules I and II of the Controlled Substances Act. Substances not listed in the table included in DEA's notice will have a quota of zero. The notice, released Oct. 15, also proposes 2022 quotas for the Schedule I chemicals ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine and pseudoephedrine. Comments are due Nov. 17.
The Federal Maritime Commission on Oct. 27 will hold the inaugural meeting of the National Shipper Advisory Commission, which was established earlier this year to advise the FMC on shipping competitiveness and fairness in the ocean freight delivery system (see 2106080005). During the virtual meeting, scheduled for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, members from the export and import community will, among other items on the agenda, elect a chair and vice chair, and “discuss issues related to ongoing supply chain congestion issues,” the FMC said this week. The meeting will be held about a month after the FMC approved recommendations to address ocean freight delivery and port issues (see 2109150035).
The Department of Labor is seeking public comments ahead of updates to its Worst Forms of Child Labor report and two lists it maintains about goods made by forced and child labor, it said in a notice. Among other issues, it “is seeking information on current practices of governments to collaborate with private sector actors through public-private partnerships to reduce the likelihood of child labor and forced labor in the production of goods,” the agency said. “Submissions may include policy documents, reports, statistics, case studies, and many other formats.”
Although U.S. traders would widely welcome the U.S. rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, industry officials are disappointed with the country’s lack of urgency on the trade pact and don't expect the Biden administration to prioritize the deal before its term ends. While they said mini trade deals, such as the 2020 agreement with Japan (see 1912050058), can serve as “short-term” bandages, they aren’t nearly enough to make up for the benefits U.S. traders would have received under TPP.
A panel of trade experts said managed trade doesn't have to be a dirty word, but that the conflation of national security and economic security is dangerous. The Washington International Trade Association decided to host a discussion on managed trade after an essay was published by Edward Alden called, "Free Trade Is Dead. Risky ‘Managed Trade’ Is Here."
The Federal Maritime Commission announced the 24 members of its newly formed Shipper Advisory Committee, which will advise FMC on issues in the ocean freight delivery system (see 2106080005). The group -- which includes representatives from Walmart, Target, Ikea, Tyson Foods and Brenntag -- is composed evenly of importers and exporters, the commission said Sept. 9. Members will serve until Dec. 31, 2024. FMC Chairman Daniel Maffei said the shipper committee will give the FMC “rapid access to the perspectives of importers and exporters on the ground dealing with the realities of ocean shipping every day,” adding that their perspective will be “invaluable.”