The Food Safety and Inspection Service reports that three Codex electronic working groups (eWG) will be meeting to discuss the evaluation of control systems for food exporters, hygiene recommendations for berry production, and discussion papers regarding the fruits Kava and Nonu.
Brian Feito
Brian Feito is Managing Editor of International Trade Today, Export Compliance Daily and Trade Law Daily. A licensed customs broker who spent time at the Department of Commerce calculating antidumping and countervailing duties, Brian covers a wide range of subjects including customs and trade-facing product regulation, the courts, antidumping and countervailing duties and Mexico and the European Union. Brian is a graduate of the University of Florida and George Mason University. He joined the staff of Warren Communications News in 2012.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a final rule to amend its registration form requirements for durable infant or toddler products. Among other modifications, the CPSC final rule simplifies and clarifies the text of the regulations, adopts changes to the registration form to ensure that consumers register properly, and allows manufacturers to include brand names and third party processors in mailing addresses and contact information.
On February 15, 2012, the Federal Maritime Commission announced that five compromise agreements have been reached for a total of $490,000 in civil penalties for alleged violations of the Shipping Act. The agreements were reached with eight non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) and related companies providing ocean transportation services.
The Federal Maritime Commission will hold a meeting on February 22, 2012, to receive staff recommendations and a draft proposed rule regarding the Rules of Practice and Procedure under 46 CFR Part 502, hear a staff briefing on economic and trade conditions, and discuss the Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) Licensing Requirement.
Effective February 6, 2012, the Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued two general licenses maintaining authorizations that would have been rendered invalid by the recent Executive Order blocking property of the government of Iran and Iranian financial institutions Including the Central Bank of Iran (EO 13599). General License A authorizes almost all transactions that are allowed under existing general and specific licenses, while General License B authorizes non-commercial, personal remittances.
The International Trade Commission has voted to institute an investigation of certain video displays and products using and containing same (337-TA-828).
The Bureau of Industry and Security announced that its Materials Processing Equipment Technical Advisory Committee will be holding a partially open meeting on March 20, 2012, in Washington, DC. The open session will include discussions on results from the last, and proposals for the next, Wassenaar Meeting, and reports on proposed and recently issued changes to the Export Administration Regulations. The open session will be accessible via teleconference to 20 participants on a first come, first serve basis. Requests to join the conference are due by March 13, 2012.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service reports that the United States Codex Office conducted its first colloquium with Coordinating Committee on Asia member countries in Bangkok, Thailand, January 31-February 2. The colloquium provided an opportunity for an exchange of views between the U.S. Delegates and 30 Delegates from the region in preparation for the upcoming meetings of the committees on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF), General Principles (CCGP), and Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF). The colloquium was attended by delegates from the following countries: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Thailand.
The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has affirmed the International Trade Commission’s assessment of civil penalties against Ninestar1 for failure to comply with cease and desist orders and a consent order2 issued in the original investigation of certain ink cartridges and components thereof (337-TA-565).
The International Trade Administration has made a preliminary affirmative antidumping determination that large power transformers from Korea are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value (A-580-867). The ITA found preliminary AD rates of 21.79% to 38.07%, which are officially effective as of February 16, 2012. U.S. Customs is expected to implement these AD cash deposit/bond requirements soon.