On January 20, 2009, the Senate confirmed the following nominations:
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration, has issued a final rule, effective March 16, 2009, amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations to prescribe enhanced safety measures for rail transportation of poison inhalation hazard (PIH) materials, including interim design standards for railroad tank cars. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/08/09 news, 09010825, for BP summary of the Transportation Security Administration's recent extension of certain rail security requirements.) (FR Pub 01/13/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E8-31056.pdf)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a memorandum on the 2009 duty-free U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) tariff preference level for certain non-originating Nicaragua apparel of cotton or man-made fiber (MMF), or subject to cotton or MMF restraints, as provided for in HTS Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 15. The 2009 Nicaragua TPL was scheduled to open on Friday, January 2, 2009, with a TPL limit of 100,000,000 square meter equivalents (SME).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Port of Los Angeles has issued a Public Bulletin on several inquiries from the trade community regarding a potential longshore labor disruption at British Columbia, Canada seaports. The bulletin provides guidance to carriers to ensure compliance with advance manifest requirements, as outlined in the Trade Act of 2002, for vessels that are diverted from Canadian ports to U.S. ports to discharge cargo. This bulletin only pertains to vessels directly impacted by the potential labor disruption. (Public Bulletin No. LA09-001, dated 01/06/09, available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice announcing that beginning February 1, 2009, it will put in place a "standard inspection protocol" for Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables.
The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a notice announcing the filing of Agreement No. 011223-043, an amendment to the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement. The amendment would provide authority for the members to discuss cost savings and more efficient use of vessel and equipment assets and networks. Comments are due within ten days of December 29, 2008. (FR Pub 12/29/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-30791.pdf)
The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a notice announcing that it has formally requested that the parties to Agreement No. 201199 (the Port Fee Services Agreement) provide additional information. This action prevents the agreement from becoming effective as originally scheduled. Interested parties have 15 days after publication of the notice to file further comments on the agreement. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/19/08 news, 08121910, for BP summary of FMC's reqeust for additional information on Agreement No. 201199.) (Notice, FR Pub 12/24/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-30633.pdf.)
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is joining Target in announcing a new notification system for communicating product recalls in Target stores nationwide. Target's safety and recall notification program involves posting signs throughout its stores that direct guests to gift registry kiosks near the Guest Service desk to learn about recalled products. Through the kiosk system, guests in Target stores will have easy access to notices of new or past recalls for all product categories and can print copies of safety and recall notices to take with them. (CPSC press release, dated 12/18/08, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09070.html)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced a recent update and clarification on APHIS' policy and procedures concerning transit permits for plant materials (plants and plant products).
The Bureau of Industry and Security has posted a statement from Under Secretary of Commerce Mancuso regarding inaccuracies in the Washington Times article, "U.S. to Tighten Export Rules on 5 Firms in China." Mancuso discussed the Validated End User Program and the U.S.-China relationship. (Press release, dated 12/17/08, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2008/bis_press12172008.htm.)