The Consumer Product Safety Commission has posted an April 2010 Overview of the toxicity of dialkyl ortho-phthalates (O-DAPs), a class comprising about 30 commercial products. The overview is accompanied by detailed staff toxicity reviews of the six banned phthalates, as well as a contractor's report summarizing the toxicity of five phthalate substitutes. (Overview, posted 04/16/10, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/phthalover.pdf)
The U.S. International Trade Commission has launched an investigation into the effects of market access measures and conditions of competition for U.S. agricultural exports to China. The investigation, China’s Agricultural Trade: Competitive Conditions and Effects on U.S. Exports, was requested by the Senate Finance Committee on April 1, 2010.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of five individuals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo whose property and interests in property have been blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13413, “Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” effective April 28, 2010. (OFAC notice, FR Pub 05/04/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-10298.pdf)
The Foreign Agricultural Service is withdrawing its January 2005 proposed rule to revise the Refined Sugar Re-export Program, the Sugar-containing Products Re-export Program, and the Polyhydric Alcohol Program under 7 CFR 1530, because market conditions have changed. FAS intends to publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking on trade under the Sugar Re-export Program with Mexico. (FAS notice, FR Pub 05/04/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-10425.pdf)
The Federal Maritime Commission has announced that it will hold confidential hearings on May 11-13, 2010 pursuant to its investigation into current conditions and practices in the U.S. liner trades, including container vessel capacity and equipment availability, as well as potential impediments to the flow of ocean-borne import and export trades.
The Food and Drug Administration has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to request data and information on the food1 transportation industry and its practices. FDA is also requesting data and information on the contamination of transported foods and any associated outbreaks.
On April 28, 2010, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano delivered remarks highlighting the Department’s ongoing efforts to bolster aviation security at the National Chamber Foundation’s Annual Aviation Summit—a forum sponsored by the non-profit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in order to foster public debate on emerging critical aviation issues. (News release, dated 04/28/10, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1272490740438.shtm)
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has released its 2010 “Special 301” annual report on the adequacy and effectiveness of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection by U.S. trading partners.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued updated (April 28, 2010) version of its list of Canada establishments eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S. (List, updated 04/28/10, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Canada_establishments.pdf)