The International Trade Commission is beginning a Section 337 investigation on imports of cochlear implant systems from MED-EL that allegedly infringe patents held by Advanced Bionics (ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-1418), the ITC said in a notice released Sept. 20. According to the underlying complaint (see 2408220042), MED-EL is importing Austrian-made devices that incorporate infringing sound processors, including the Sonnet 2 and Rondo 3. The ITC will consider whether to issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders banning import and sale of infringing devices from MED-EL.
The Commerce Department published notices in the Federal Register Sept. 20 on the following AD/CV duty proceedings (any notices that announce changes to AD/CV duty rates, scope, affected firms or effective dates will be detailed in another ITT article):
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the following voluntary recalls Sept. 19:
On Sept. 19, the FDA posted new and revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:
USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is making changes to its list of Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes the agency plans to implement Phase VII of the Lacey Act provisions.
The Foreign-Trade Zones Board issued the following notices on Sept. 20:
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements is adding a two-way stretch woven polyester, rayon, spandex fabric to the "short supply list" in Annex 3.25 of the Dominican Republic-Central America-U.S. Free Trade Agreement for items not commercially available in a timely manner, it said in a notice. CFI Textiles requested the additions in August. The fabric, classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading 5515.11.00, is being added in unrestricted quantities. Under short supply provisions of CAFTA-DR, fibers, yarns and fabrics listed in Annex 3.25 are provided with tariff preferences under the trade agreement.
The Bureau of Industry and Security has completed a round of interagency review on an Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS) supply chain proposed rule involving “connected vehicles.” The rule, sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Aug. 20 and completed Sept. 19, could propose import restrictions on certain Chinese connected vehicles as part of a rulemaking begun in February (see 2402290034).
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative asked Peru to verify that five timber shipments exported from Peru to the U.S. complied with Peruvian law and regulations. "[D]espite improvements in some areas, there are still serious concerns about illegal logging in Peru," it said, explaining the action.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will open a docket for comments on Sept. 23 for views on proposed new Section 301 tariffs on 8101.94.00 (Tungsten, unwrought); 8101.99.10 (Tungsten bars, rods, plates, sheets, strip and foil); 8101.99.80 (Tungsten, articles nesoi); 2804.61.00, Silicon; and 3818.00.00 (Chemical elements doped for use in electronics.