Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce (JoC) reports that a new House Bill entitled, the Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act (H.R. 32) seeks to close legal loopholes in U.S. trademark protection and impose stronger legal remedies against counterfeiting. Among other things, the new law may help U.S. trade negotiators insert trademark law guarantees in impending free trade agreements (FTAs) with the Andean countries, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. (JoC Pub 01/17/05, www.joc.com)
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1. House Bill Could Strengthen U.S.' Ability to Negotiate More IPR Protections in FTAs, Etc.
2. TSA Begins Second Phase of Hazmat Threat Assessment Program
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a press release announcing that it began its second phase of the Hazmat Threat Assessment Program on January 31, 2005 with the fingerprinting of commercial truck drivers applying to obtain a hazardous materials endorsement (HME) on their state-issued commercial drivers license (CDL). TSA states that during phase one, TSA conducted name-based security threat assessments on all 2.7 million hazmat drivers to determine whether any presented a potential terrorist threat. Phase two augments this effort by adding a FBI fingerprint-based criminal history records check and immigration status check.
The third and final phase of implementation begins May 31, 2005 when drivers, who currently hold HMEs and wish to renew or transfer the HME, must undergo the finger print-based background check. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/27/05 news, 05012720, for BP summary of TSA final rule establishing user fees for security threat assessments for HMEs.) (TSA press release, dated 01/31/04)
3. ITA Public Service List for Receiving Information on AD/CV Duty Cases
According to the Web site of the International Trade Administration's (ITA's) Import Administration (IA), interested parties can request to be included on a Public Service List in order to receive certain information on a specific product/country combination that is subject to an antidumping (AD) or countervailing (CV) duty case. (Information on such Public Service Lists, etc. available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/apo/index.html)
4. FSIS Announces Codex and Advisory Committee Meetings
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued three notices announcing that the following public meetings are being held in College Park, MD in order to prepare for certain upcoming Codex Alimentarius (Codex) Committee sessions:
| Meeting |
|---|
| Preparation for the 37th session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) |
| Preparation for the 19th session of the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO) |
| Preparation for the 27th session of the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery (CCFF) |
(FSIS notices, 1FR Pub 01/18/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-935.pdf, 2FR Pub 01/31/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-1701.pdf, and 3FR Pub 01/31/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-1702.pdf)
5. FSIS Will Not Provide Reimbursable Voluntary Services for Delinquent Accounts
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a notice stating that, effective March 2, 2005, it will not provide reimbursable voluntary inspection, certification, and identification services to persons who have delinquent accounts. (D/N 04-027N, FR Pub 01/31/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-1703.pdf)
6. DHS' Science and Technology Advisory Committee to Hold Closed Meeting
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a notice announcing that the Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee (HSSTAC) will hold a closed meeting on February 23-24, 2005 in Arlington, VA. (D/N DHS-0002-2005, FR Pub 01/31/2005, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-1726.pdf)
7. USDA Procedures for Development, Issuance, & Use of Guidance Documents for Nat'l Organic Program
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a notice which, in order to make the National Organic Program's (NOP's) procedures more clear to the public, sets forth the USDA's NOP procedures for the development, issuance, and use of guidance documents. Written comments must be submitted by April 4, 2005. (D/N TM-03-03, FR Pub 02/01/05) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-1748.pdf)
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