The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) in order to assess the need for continuing the existing mattress/mattress pad flammability standard, which involves a test to determine the ignition resistance of a mattress or mattress pad when exposed to a lighted cigarette.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice announcing that its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program will hold a public meeting on July 14, 2005 in Riverdale, MD in order to exchange information and receive input on the proposed Phytosanitary Certificate Issuance and Tracking System (PCIT).

The FCC unanimously voted to seek comments to streamline the FM table of allotment and AM community of license procedures. The FCC notice of proposed rulemaking aims to streamline procedures for radio licenses and reduce backlogs, the commissioners said at its agenda meeting Thurs. The FCC also put a freeze on filing of new petitions for rulemaking to amend the table of allotments. The Commission announced a one-time settlement window for parties involved in nearly 300 open commercial FM allotment dockets. The window seeks to expedite introduction of improved services as the Commission considers the rulemaking. The rulemaking would: (1) Permit community license a minor change to applications, streamlining the current 2-step procedure. (2) Require simultaneous filing of Form 301 with petitions to add new FM allotments. This would help ensure parties who most value new allotments are the ones seeking to add new FM allotments, the FCC said. (3) Limit the number of modifications to the table to one proceeding. (4) Seek comment on circumstances under which sole local service could become a first local service elsewhere. The FCC action responded to a petition by First Bcstg. Investment Partners seeking changes to FCC radio procedures. Comr. Adelstein said streamlining the process would give radio broadcasters, especially in rural areas, the ability to compete “on equal footing.” Separately, the commissioners welcomed new Media Bureau Chief Donna Gregg, attending her first meeting. Comr. Copps quipped that Gregg “didn’t have her loud ties,” a signature mark of her predecessor Kenneth Ferree.

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has posted to its web site updated preliminary textile and apparel import data for 2005, which now covers the 2005 period from approximately March 2005 to June 4, 2005.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule that would amend 7 CFR Part 319 regarding the importation of wheat and related articles by removing the prohibitions related to foreign strains of flag smut (flag smut) for a specific country or locality (country), if a risk evaluation indicates that such wheat and related articles from that country do not introduce other plant pests.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued its fiscal year (FY) 2003 Final Annual Report under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 (CDSOA, also known as the Byrd Amendment). This report lists in excel format the antidumping (AD) or countervailing (CV) case number, the written description of the order, number of claims, FY 2003 net amount claimed, amount available for disbursement, claimant name, claim number, claimant net amount, percent of total claimed, and amount paid. FY 2003 CDSOA Final Annual Report, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/add_cvd/cont_dump/cdsoa_03/fy03_final_cdsoa.ctt/fy03_final_cdsoa.xls .

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice announcing that it will hold a second series of domestic public meetings to discuss its December 9, 2004 final rule that requires the establishment and maintenance of records by certain persons (unless excepted) who manufacture, import, process, pack, transport, distribute, receive, or hold food in the U.S.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has rejected a Section 301 petition filed by members of Congress on the issue of China's currency, noting that this petition is similar to two previously rejected petitions. The USTR states that it believes that China has undertaken the necessary and appropriate steps to prepare for a move to a more flexible, market-based exchange rate system; therefore, a Section 301 action would not be an appropriate or productive way to achieve that goal. (USTR statement, dated 05/27/05, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Spokesperson_Statements/May_27,_2005_Statement_from_USTR_Spokesperson_Richard_Mills_Regarding_a_Section_301_Petition_on_Chinas_Currency_Regime.html)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Los Angeles/Long Beach has issued an administrative message (dated 05/25/05) which CBP sources state indicates that until a recent Court of International Trade (CIT) decision on chondroitin sulfate (CS) is final, or is appealed and is final, filers and importers must continue to classify CS under 3913.90.2000.

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has issued a notice announcing that on May 27, 2005, the U.S. requested consultations with the government of China with respect to imports of Chinese origin combed cotton yarn in category 301; men's and boys' cotton and manmade fiber shirts, not knit in category 340/640; manmade fiber knit shirts and blouses in category 638/639; and manmade fiber shorts, slacks and trousers in 647/648.