Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The National Nuclear Security Administration states that the United Arab Emirates will join the U.S. Megaports Initiative, a cooperative effort to detect, deter, and interdict illicit maritime smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive material. As part of the agreement, the NNSA will work with the UAE to install radiation detection equipment and associated infrastructure (and provide training) at the ports of Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The Megaports Initiative is currently operational at 28 ports worldwide. (Press release, dated 12/16/09, available at http://nnsa.energy.gov/2760.htm)
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1. UAE Agrees to Join U.S. Megaports Initiative
2. CPSC Requests Comments on Petition to Allow Spray Sampling, Etc. When Testing Lead in Paint
The Consumer Product Safety Commission posted a notice seeking comments on a petition it received from Intertek Consumer Goods NA and the American Apparel & Footwear Association for CPSC to authorize test procedures for "spray sampling, multiple stamping and finished component testing" when testing products for lead in paint. Comments are due 60 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register. (Notice, posted 12/17/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/frintertek.pdf)
3. CPSC Accepting Registration for Jan 11-12, 2010 Workshop on Public Incident Database
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has posted registration information on a public workshop it will hold January 11-12, 2010 on establishment of a public Consumer Product Safety Incident Database. The workshop seeks input from stakeholders on five aspects of the public database: data analysis and reporting; reports of harm; manufacturer notification and response; additional database content, and materially inaccurate information. (Notice, posted 12/17/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/meetingsignup.html)
4. FSIS Issues Proposed Rule on Nutrition Labeling for Major Cuts of Meat and Poultry
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a supplemental proposed rule that, if finalized, will amend the Federal meat and poultry products inspection regulations to require nutrition labeling of the major cuts of single-ingredient, raw meat and poultry products, unless an exemption applies. Comments are due by February 16, 2010. (D/N FSIS-2005-0018, FR Pub 12/18/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-29323.pdf)
5. USDA Asks States to Suggest New Opportunities to Bring Agricultural Products to Market
The Department of Agriculture has invited state departments of agriculture, state agricultural experiment stations and other state agencies to submit proposals that help to market, transport and distribute U.S.-produced food and agricultural products domestically and internationally. Selected proposals will be funded through the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP). (News release, dated 12/15/09, available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateU&navID=&page=Newsroom&resultType=Details&dDocName=STELPRDC5081441&dID=124166&wf=false&description=USDAInvitesStateParticipationinNationalEfforttoCreateNewOpportun)
6. Food Defense Tool from FDA and APHIS Helps Farmers, Producers Assess Vulnerabilities
The Food and Drug Administration and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service have created a free online tool, called Agriculture CARVER Shock, to help farmers and producers understand how someone intending to disrupt agriculture might think. Producers will be able to easily identify weak spots in their operation and receive practical advice on countermeasures they can put in place. (News release, dated 12/04/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2009/12/carver.shtml)
7. China to Reduce Tariff on Natural Rubber, Maintain Tax Rate for Other Raw Materials
According to China's Ministry of Commerce, China's Ministry of Finance stated that China will lower the import tariff of natural rubber to RMB2000 per ton (from RMB2600) in 2010 and maintain the interim tax rate for anthracite, coking coal, other soft coal and coke at zero with that of polysilicon being 1%. (News release, dated 12/18/09, available at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/commonnews/200912/20091206680228.html)
8. European Chemical Agency Posts Public Database of Chemicals Registered Under REACH
On December 18, 2009, the European Chemicals Agency published hazard and safe-use information on chemical substances that have been registered under EU's REACH program. The information, provided by companies who manufacture or import these substances, will permit citizens to make well informed decisions about the use of chemicals or articles containing chemicals they purchase. (Press release, dated 12/18/09, available at http://echa.europa.eu/doc/press/pr_09_17_dissemination%20_information_20091218.pdf)
9. EU and Canada Sign Air Transport Agreement
The European Union and Canada have signed an Air Transport Agreement that removes all restrictions on routes, prices, or the number of weekly flights between Canada and the EU. The agreement also envisages mutual recognition of standards and one-stop security which would mean that transfer passengers, luggage and cargo would be exempted from any additional security measures when travelling to or from Canada. (Press release, dated 12/17/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1963&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)
10. CBSA Posts Evaluation of Four Remote Border Location Programs
Canada Border Services Agency has posted an evaluation study of four of Canada's Remote Border Location Programs (the CANPASS Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) program, the CANPASS Remote Ports program (RPP), the CANPASS Private Boats Plus program and the Q19 program). The findings address the continued relevance of the four programs, as well as the effectiveness and efficiency of the programs' design, delivery and management. (Study, posted 12/17/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/agency-agence/reports-rapports/ae-ve/2009/rblp-ppfe-eng.html)
11. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Notices and Actions
FTZ 202. Application for Reorganization/Expansion; Los Angeles, CA
12. Agency Seeks Comments on Information Collections
Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
Agency Information Collection Comments Due
| Sapphire Cargo Movers, Inc. (Philippines) | 11/01/09 |
(Notices, FR Pub 12/17/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-29993.pdf and http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-29994.pdf)