On June 1, 2010, Israel formally joined the United Nations-backed international system (Madrid Protocol) which offers trademark owners a cost-effective and easy to access means of protecting and managing their brand names and logos internationally. The Madrid Protocol will become operational in Israel on September 1, 2010.
The European Parliament is expected to vote in July on whether to further assess certain substances, including halogenated flame retardants and PVC, for safe use in electrical and electronic equipment and whether the list of substances banned by the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive should apply to electrical and electronic equipment, unless specifically excluded.
On May 31, 2010, the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates deposited the UAE's instrument of accession to the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (revised Kyoto Convention) with the World Customs Organization.The Convention is regarded as a blueprint for effective and modern Customs procedures.
The Secretary General of the Secretariat for Economic Integration in Central America (SIECA) and the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, signed an MOU in Guatemala on May 25, 2010 on Customs modernization through the adoption and implementation of WCO instruments and tools. SIECA is composed of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service is offering an Export USA Webinar: Starter Kit (or Refresher) for Exporters on June 23, 2010, that will assist Canadian companies in mastering the art of U.S. logistics and trade compliance. This webinar contains the same content as an earlier webinar: U.S. Customs Compliance and Documentation Requirements for Canadian Exporters.
The European Court of Auditors will hold a press briefing on June 7, 2010 on its assessment of whether the European Commission has developed a sound regulatory framework and whether the Member States effectively control simplified customs procedures for imports.
GOV.cn reports that Chinese companies have been told by director-general Lu Shaye of the African affairs department with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to shift their investment focus from infrastructure and energy resources to Africa's agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Lu made the statement at a China-Africa forum held in Beijing on May 28, 2010.
The European Chemicals Agency has announced adopted opinions on the harmonized classification of the chemical substances: gallium arsenide, THF (tetrahydrofuran), and Cryolites (synthetic and natural). Therefore the classification of these substances as carcinogenic, toxic for reproduction, orally toxic, etc. could change. The opinions will be published soon.
After concluding their third round of a trilateral summit on May 30, 2010 in South Korea, leaders from China, South Korea and Japan have agreed to complete a joint research project by 2012 on the feasibility of grouping the three nations into a free trade zone.
The World Customs Organization's Director General attended the Heads of Customs Americas and Caribbean Regional Meeting held in Guatemala May 24-25, 2010. At the meeting, the Heads of Customs discussed the following topical issues: Globally Networked Customs; Risk Management; and the Customs-Business Partnership. They also focused on accessions to the WCO revised Kyoto Convention, and reviewed progress in capacity building.