Starting in mid-2011, the Federal Trade Commission states that consumers shopping for light bulbs will notice new labeling on packaging designed to help them choose among the different types of bulbs on the market -- traditional incandescent bulbs, and newer high-efficiency compact fluorescent (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. The new labels will enable consumers to save money by selecting the most efficient bulbs that best fit their lighting needs.

The International Trade Administration is correcting its June 8, 2010 Federal Register notice and request for comments on the Import Administration's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (IA ACCESS) Pilot Program to correct the reference to the ITA docket number, and to note that the RIN number need not be included in the comments.

The U.S. Postal Service has issued a final rule, effective August 2, 2010, which revises its mailing standards to treat all cigarettes (including roll-your-own tobacco) and smokeless tobacco products as nonmailable when sent in outbound or inbound international mail.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has targeted a financial network of the 48th Front, a part of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, which prohibits U.S. persons from conducting financial or commercial transactions with these individuals and entities, and freezes any assets they may have under U.S. jurisdiction.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of two individuals in Peru and Mexico whose property and interests in property have been unblocked pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, effective June 10, 2010.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announces a meeting via telephone on July 8, 2010, in which the Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors will continue its work in developing and implementing the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued its Spring CMV Safety Belt Newsletter. The newsletter contains information on the International Registration Plan (IRP). IRP is a registration reciprocity agreement among the 48 contiguous U.S., DC, and provinces of Canada, providing for payment of fees on the basis of total distance operated in all jurisdictions.

The U.S. Trade Representative has posted readouts from days 2-4 of the second round of negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement that took place in San Francisco, CA. On Day 2, topics raised included services and development elements in the TPP, and how USTR will stay in touch with stakeholders beyond the face-to-face meetings in San Francisco. On Day 3, several working groups from the eight TPP partner countries began negotiations on various issue areas (customs cooperation, labor, etc.), while others continued their talks. Day 4 included discussions on how best to address the needs of small- and medium-sized enterprises and supply chains across the Asia-Pacific.

On March 31, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009 (PACT Act). The law goes into effect on June 29, 2010. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is currently working to publish an Interpretive Rule, including a request for comments, in the Federal Register. This website will be updated as further developments occur.