The Canada Border Services Agency states that in accordance with an agreement between the Government of Canada and the provincial governments of Ontario and British Columbia, effective July 1, 2010, CBSA will begin collecting the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on non-commercial goods imported for use in the provinces of Ontario (13 percent) and British Columbia (12 percent).
The World Trade Organization has posted a notice announcing that the Dispute Settlement Panel on U.S. - Measures Concerning the Importation, Marketing and Sale of Tuna and Tuna Products (WT/DS381) will not complete its work within six months from the date of its composition, and expects that it will issue its final report to the parties in February 2011.
The European Chemicals Agency has announced the release of a new guide on how to address specific substance identification issues: evaluation of different crystalline forms. The guide makes clear that inorganic substances with the same chemical composition but different crystalline forms are regarded as different substances under REACH.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada is advising on-line brokers that, effective immediately, all requests for cancellation of permits for RELEASED Agriculture, Steel, Textiles and Clothing shipments are to be submitted by facsimile on the attached Request for Cancellation form.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has issued a reminder that 2010-2011 tariff rate quota for frozen pork from the European Union will be accessible on July 5, 2010, at noon Eastern Daylight Time. Any applications submitted prior to 12:00 hrs EDT on July 5, 2010 will be rejected. The TRQ level established for frozen pork, for the twelve month period August 1, 2010 to July 31, 2011 is 2,970,000 kilograms.
The European Chemicals Agency has announced the release of a new manual on how report the substance identity in IUCLID 5 for registration under REACH. The manual explains how to structure the substance identification information in IUCLID 5 in accordance with REACH-IT. The manual also explains which systematic verifications REACH-IT applies to registration dossiers to ensure coherence of the substance identity related information in the database.
The People´s Bank of China has issued a 12 point Q&A on its decision to further reform the RMB (renminbi or yuan) exchange rate regime and increase the RMB exchange rate flexibility. Highlights of these 12 Q&As include the following:
Canada implemented a “catch-all” control to respond to its Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) commitments in 2002, but a number of concerns expressed by the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations have resulted in a need to revisit this measure. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade consequently seeks to amend the Export Control List (ECL), specifically item 5505 — Goods and Technology for Certain Uses. This proposed amendment will serve to address the concerns of the Standing Joint Committee and update the Regulations to reflect current foreign policy and security considerations.
On June 17, 2010, the European Union adopted a Declaration on Iran underlining its deepening concerns about Iran's nuclear program and welcoming the adoption by the UN Security Council of Resolution 1929 introducing new restrictive measures against Iran.