On May 18 and 19, the U.S. Coast Guard will lead full-scale emergency response exercises in and around the Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles. There will be no disruptions to Port operations, but customers, employees and neighbors are likely to witness unusual activities as early as Monday, May 17. (Notice, posted 05/17/10, available at http://www.polb.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=696)
European Parliament has approved an update of the European Union apparel labeling requirements which could make country of origin labeling mandatory for apparel. The EP has asked the European Commission to produce a report within two years, and if necessary a proposal for legislation to impose the new labeling requirements EU-wide. (Press release, dated 05/18/10, available at http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/063-74630-137-05-21-911-20100514IPR74629-17-05-2010-2010-false/default_en.htm)
In the May 18, 2010 edition of the Official Journal of the European Union, the following trade-related Regulations were posted:
The European Chemicals Agency has posted an updated guidance on the preparation of dossiers for harmonized classification and labeling proposals under the CLP Regulation. An important change is that manufacturers, importers and downstream users can now also submit a proposal for harmonized classification and labeling of a substance as well as Member State Competent Authorities. (Press release, dated 05/18/10, available at http://echa.europa.eu/doc/press/na_10_25_guidance_clh_20100518.pdf)
Minnesota's Governor has signed into law a bill to, among other things, prohibit the sale or offer for sale of children's jewelry with cadmium levels above 75 parts per million (ppm).
On March 31, 2010, an “International Donors’ Conference Towards a New Future for Haiti”1 was held at the United Nations to organize international support for the development needs of Haiti in an effort to lay the foundation for Haiti’s long-term recovery.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology posts drafts and changes to foreign technical regulations for manufactured products which may be considered technical barriers to trade and are therefore required to be reported to the World Trade Organization, which distributes the information to WTO Member countries.
The United Nations General Assembly held a informal meeting on May 14, 2010 on piracy, with Assembly President Ali Treki calling for broader international efforts and resources to combat piracy, particularly off the coast of Somalia. In April 2010, the Security Council put forward the possibility of establishing international tribunals to try pirates, with members calling for tougher legislation to prosecute and jail suspects caught off Somalia. (Press release, dated 05/14/10, available at http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=34703&Cr=piracy&Cr1=)
On April 29, 2010, China's Ministry of Commerce and other agencies released a framework for a Foreign Investment Promotion Plan for six central China provinces. The plan specifies that top priority should be given to long-term needs, including industrial development, investment services, and a supportive environment for foreign investors. (News release, posted 05/14/10, available at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/commonnews/201005/20100506913542.html)
On May 17, 2010, the European Union and the CARIFORUM States held the inaugural meeting of their Joint Council, in connection with the EU-Latin America and Caribbean Summit. The two sides took steps to make the institutions of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) fully operational and welcomed Haiti's signature to the EPA. (Notice, dated 05/17/10, available at http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2010/may/tradoc_146156.pdf)