On August 2, 2011, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano announced the publication of a proposed rule to create an Ammonium Nitrate Security Program to secure potentially dangerous chemicals. Ammonium nitrate is primarily used in fertilizers, first aid products, and regulated commercial explosives in support of the construction and mining industries. However, it has also been used as a main component in powerful explosives for attacks, including terrorism. The proposed program would increase security by working with domestic purchasers to validate legitimate use and require those selling ammonium nitrate to retain records and report theft or loss of ammonium nitrate to federal authorities within 24 hours of discovery.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology posts drafts and changes to foreign technical regulations for manufactured products that may be considered technical barriers to trade. Broker Power delays its publication of these postings in IT Now for 2 - 3 weeks as there is often a delay until NIST makes the text of the regulations available.

The International Trade Administration is publishing notices in the Federal Register on the following AD/CV proceedings (any notices that announce changes to AD/CV duty rates, the scope, affected firms, or effective dates will be detailed in another ITT article):

GENEVA -- A wide range of participants is needed for future talks on Internet governance matters and possible legal frameworks to protect users and help stem international fraud, participants said at a U.S. State Department panel Friday on Internet governance, innovation and economic development. The “multi-stakeholder” model is a key principle for the U.S., an ambassador said.

The International Trade Administration has is terminating the agreement suspending the antidumping duty investigation on solid fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate from Russia (A-821-811) and is issuing an AD order, effective May 2, 2011.

The International Trade Administration has issued the following notices:

Companies interested in the Multilateration Location and Monitoring Service (M-LMS) band asked the FCC to act with caution on a waiver request by Progeny. In March, Progeny filed a petition for waiver of Sections 90.155(e) and 90.353(g) of the commission’s rules related to the band. Progeny said it hoped to satisfy build-out requirements by using a multilateration network configuration that it claims is “more technologically advanced.” “In my opinion, the waiver request is too vague to understand the effect that technology and systems under the proposed waived rules, versus the current rules, would have on unlicensed devices and systems of unlicensed devices operating in the 902-928 MHz band, as well as to determine the impact upon wireless Intelligent Transportation Systems using M-LMS spectrum operating under the current rules,” said Ben Wild, a wireless engineer writing on behalf of Skybridge Spectrum Foundation and Telesaurus Holdings. “The 902-928 MHz band has been a fertile proving ground for an enormous number of different types of products, ranging in nature from hugely successful consumer products like cordless telephones, baby monitors, wireless audio and video equipment, and home security systems, to medical implant products, to devices that have been integrated into critical infrastructure operations involved in the nation’s energy, transportation and utility industries,” said Cellnet Technology. “A waiver that potentially increases the likelihood of interference to Part 15 users would undermine this balance."

In a fact sheet on its radiation detection protocols, U.S. Customs and Border Protection lays out what it does to address radiological risks at ports of entry to detect and resolve any security or safety risks that are identified with inbound travelers and cargo.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology posts drafts and changes to foreign technical regulations for manufactured products which may be considered technical barriers to trade and are therefore required to be reported to the World Trade Organization, which distributes the information to WTO Member countries.

The European Chemicals Agency is seeking comments on proposals submitted by five European Union member countries to identify seven chemicals as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC), which could make them subject to the "authorization" component of the EU’s REACH¹ program.