Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. CPSC Delays Vote on Component Testing, “15 Month” Rule to April 28

2. Canada Seeks Comments on Reducing NAFTA Regulatory Barriers

Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is seeking the views of Canadians to identify areas where increased cooperation between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico could reduce significant regulatory-based differences that pose actual or potential barriers to Canadian competitiveness. (Notice, dated 03/20/10, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2010/2010-03-27/html/notice-avis-eng.html#d102)

3. EC Launches First Phase of EU Customs Procedures Portal

The European Commission has launched the first phase of a new web portal to help businesses understand and follow the customs procedures for importing goods into and exporting goods from the EU. Designed as a single point of access, the portal includes scenarios to explain each step of the import, export and transit procedures. Q & A document is available herehttp://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/index_en.htm). Portal is available here. (Notice, posted 04/19/10, available at http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/index_en.htm)

4. EC Posts Proposal on Facilitation of Int'l Freight Rail Border Procedures

The European Commission has posted a proposal for a Council Decision on the position to be taken by the European Union within the Administrative Committee established by the International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods on the proposal to amend that Convention with a new Annex on the facilitation of border crossing procedures for international rail freight. (Proposal, dated 04/14/10, available at http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/common/legislation/proposals/customs/com(2010)148_en.pdf)

5. WTO Arbitration Meeting on U.S.-EC Zeroing Dispute Open to Public

The World Trade Organization has announced that at the request of the parties in the dispute “US - Zeroing (EC) (DS294), the Arbitrator has agreed to start its meeting with the parties on May 20, 2010 with a session open to public viewing at the WTO Headquarters in Geneva. (News item, dated 04/19/10, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news10_e/hear_ds294_16apr10_e.htm)

6. WTO Posts Proposed Agenda for April 20 DSB Meeting

The World Trade Organization has posted the proposed agenda for the April 20, 2010 meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body. Among other things, the agenda includes discussion of various U.S. "zeroing" disputes, the U.S. panel request on Philippines' taxes on distilled spirits, and EU antidumping measures on certain footwear from China. (Agenda, posted 04/16/10, available at http://docsonline.wto.org/DDFDocuments/t/WT/DSB/W425.doc)

7. Commerce Issues Report on Exports and Job Creation

The Department of Commerce has issued a report which states that in 2008, exports accounted for a record 12.7 percent of U.S. gross domestic product, and during a period of relatively flat job growth, supported a record number of jobs - more than 10 million. Additionally, the report links success in supporting U.S. manufacturing with a successful export policy. (Press release, dated 04/15/10, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_009122)

8. EPA Proposes Cutting Mercury Emissions from Gold Production

The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a news release announcing that it is issuing a proposed rule to cut emissions from gold ore processing and production facilities, the sixth largest source of mercury air emissions in the U.S. EPA’s proposal would reduce annual mercury emissions to about 1,390 pounds a year -- a 73% reduction from 2007 levels. (News release, dated 04/16/10, available at http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/e77fdd4f5afd88a3852576b3005a604f/0adc34b66affb71f8525770700652833!OpenDocument)

9. CG Imposes Conditions of Entry on Vessels that Visited Sao Tome and Principe

The Coast Guard has issued a Port Security Advisory announcing that ports in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe are not maintaining effective anti-terrorism measures and that it is imposing conditions of entry on vessels that visited ports in Sao Tome and Principe during their last five port calls. (Notice, dated 04/16/10, available at http://homeport.uscg.mil/mycg/portal/ep/home.do )

10. FDA Issues Guidance on Safety Rules for Shell Eggs

The Food and Drug Administration has published guidance for industry for small egg producers to help them comply with a 2009 federal egg safety regulation designed to prevent Salmonella Enteritidis in shell eggs during production, transportation, and storage. (Press announcement, dated 04/15/10, available at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm208752.htm)

11. DHS Council to Meet to Review Counter-Extremism Recommendations

The Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Advisory Council will meet via teleconference on May 13, 2010 for the purpose of reviewing the findings and recommendations of the HSAC’s Countering Violent Extremism Working Group. (D/N DHS-2010-0030, FR Pub 04/19/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-8953.pdf)

12. Quarterly IRS Interest Rates for CBP Overpayments/Underpayments

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announces the quarterly Internal Revenue Service interest rates used to calculate interest on overdue accounts for overpayments will be 3% for corporations and 4% for non-corporations; and 4% for underpayments for the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2010. (FR Pub 04/19/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-8961.pdf)

13. CPSC to Vote on Accrediting 4 Manufacturer Labs as Firewalled

The Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission are scheduled to vote by April 22, 2010 on a staff recommendation that CPSC accredit four laboratories owned, managed or controlled by a manufacturer or private labeler as firewalled third party laboratories. Two Mattel testing labs are among the ones being considered. (Notice, dated 04/16/10, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia10/brief/firewall.pdf)

14. Intl Shipsuppliers & Services Assn Discusses Supply Chain Security

The International Shipsuppliers & Services Association held its Board Meeting at WCO headquarters on April 15, 2010. During the meeting, the Board discussed the synergy between ISSA’s Quality and Industry Standard and the WCO Authorized Economic Operator concept. (Report, dated 04/15/10, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/speeches/?v=1&lid=1&cid=2&id=221)

15. EC Initiates CV Investigation of Coated Paper from China

The European Commission has issued a notice of initiation of a countervailing duty investigation concerning imports of coated fine paper from China. (Notice, dated 04/17/10, available at http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2010/april/tradoc_146023.AS-init.en.C99-2010.pdf)

16. USCBC Suggests Revisions to China's Catalogue on Foreign Investment

The U.S.-China Business Council has submitted recommended revisions to China's State Council on its Catalogue Guiding Foreign Investment in Industry; the State Council announced in December 2009 it was revising to open more sectors to foreign investment. (Revisions, posted 04/16/10, available at http://www.uschina.org/public/documents/2010/04/foreign_invest_recommendations.pdf)

17. Xinhuanet.com Reports on Second BRIC Summit

Xinhuanet.com issued a summary of the second summit of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China), noting that China has canceled debts of 49 heavily indebted poor countries and least-developed countries, is providing zero-tariff treatment to imports from over 40 least-developed countries, and has announced eight new measures aimed at promoting development in Africa. (Notice, dated 04/16/10, available at http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-04/16/c_13254919.htm)

18. OFAC Publishes Names of 2 Blocked Persons Under Kingpin Act

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of two individuals whose property and interests in property have been blocked pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, effective April 8, 2010. (FR Pub 04/19/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-8915.pdf)