The European Commission published a regulation in the March 10, 2011 Official Journal to adapt regulation No. 1272/ 2008 on the classification, labeling and packaging (CLP) of substances and mixtures to account for changes made to the United Nation's Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. Among other things, it contains amendments to provisions on the allocation of hazard statements and for the labeling of small packaging, new sub-categories for respiratory and skin sensitization, the revision of the classification criteria for long-term hazards (chronic toxicity) to the aquatic environment and a new hazard class for substances and mixtures hazardous to the ozone layer. For substances, the regulation applies from December 1, 2012 and for mixtures from June 1, 2015.
Latest Harmonized System updates
This ITT update provides more details on the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act’s expansion of U.S.’ Iran petroleum sanction provisions, including their application to certain non-U.S. individuals and companies and more details on CISADA’s penalties. Also included in this update are other provisions not covered in ITT’s previous summaries of CISADA, including its requirements on the investigation of Iran petroleum violations, waivers, diversion of products, and licensing.
CBP has issued a CSMS message announcing recent changes to the 2011 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HS Update No. 1101). This update contains 1,094 ABI records and 190 harmonized tariff records. The changes made are required by the verification of the 2011 HTS. The modified records are currently available to all ABI participants and can be retrieved electronically via the procedures indicated in the CATAIR.
During a recent interview with Broker Power, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials provided an update on ACE, including Cargo Release, the 24 groups of high priority ACE entry summary edits wanted by the trade, Post Summary Correction functionality, the deployment of M1, the document imaging system, etc.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s fiscal year 2012 budget request is for $122 million, a 3.2% increase over the FY 2010 enacted funding level. CPSC states that this request level will allow it to continue work implementing and enforcing the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), administer the public database of consumer product safety incidents, and fund other CPSC priorities.
U.S. Customs and Border protection has posted a document providing a February 2011 update on the status of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) program, including the use of document imaging for the Food and Drug Administration, a final CATAIR PGA message set, and web services to send data to PGA data systems.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an updated version of its frequently asked questions document regarding containers considered to be instruments of international traffic (IIT) that are imported into the U.S. with residual cargo (such as chemicals or other bulk goods1). Among other things, the updated FAQs state that on July 17, 2011, CBP will begin enforcing the requirement that residual cargo imported in IIT be manifested, classified, and entered (i.e., formal entry, informal entry, or Section 321 entry).
According to the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), Taiwan's Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) has issued a proposal for comment on its intention to conduct inspections and conformity assessment for most apparel, made-up goods, etc. that are domestically produced or imported, before they can be placed on the market in Taiwan. The proposed date of implementation is January 1, 2012.
According to a January 19, 2011 Census Automated Export System broadcast, effective immediately, the Schedule B and Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) tables in AES have been updated to accept the changes to the 2011 codes.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has issued a final rule which amends the Hazardous Materials Regulations to maintain alignment with international standards by incorporating various amendments, including changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport limited quantities, and vessel stowage requirements.