Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

September 14, 2009 |Top News

1. Commerce Secretary Locke Statement on Rising Trade Numbers

The Census Bureau reports that U.S. exports increased by 2.2 percent to $127.6 billion since June 2009, and imports increased 4.7 percent to $159.6 billion. In commenting on the report, Commerce Secretary Locke stated, "July is the third consecutive month that exports of goods and services have increased." (Census fact sheet, dated 09/10/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/s/groups/public/@doc/@os/@opa/documents/content/prod01_008400.pdf and Commerce press release, dated 09/10/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_008401 and

2. Census Customer Service Survey for AES Participants

Census has posted an Automated Export System broadcast inviting AES participants to voice their opinion regarding AES support tools and services in a customer service survey. (AES broadcast 2009039, dated 09/03/09, available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/documentlibrary/broadcasts/2009039.html.)

3. Hearing Transcript Posted on Impact of Trade w. China on New York

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission has posted the transcript from its July 23, 2009 hearing on "The Impact of Trade with China on New York State and Opportunities for Economic Growth." (Transcript available at http://www.uscc.gov/hearings/2009hearings/transcripts/09_07_23_trans/09_07_23_trans.pdf,)

4. State Dept Certification of Colombia with Respect to Human Rights Related Conditions

On September 8, 2009, the State Department determined and certified to Congress that the Colombian Government and Armed Forces are meeting statutory criteria related to human rights and paramilitary groups. This determination and certification, which is pursuant to Section 7046(b) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2009, permits the full balance of FY 2009 funds designated for assistance to the Colombian Armed Forces to be obligated. (Press release, dated 09/11/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/sept/129135.htm.)

5. 4th Plenary Meeting on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia

The State Department has posted a statement from the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia which met at United Nations Headquarters on September 10, 2009. (Press release, dated 09/11/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/sept/129143.htm.)

6. President Continues National Emergency Regarding Terrorist Attacks

Consistent with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1622(d), the President has continued for one year the national emergency declared on September 14, 2001, in Proclamation 7463, with respect to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the continuing and immediate threat of further attacks on the U.S. (Notice, dated 09/10/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Notice-of-continuation-from-the-President-regarding-the-emergency-declared-with-respect-to-the-September-11-2001-terrorist-attacks/.)

7. National Organic Standards Board Meets on November 3-4, 2009

The Agricultural Marketing Service has announced that the National Organic Standards Board will be holding a meeting on November 3-4, 2009 in Washington, DC. Among other things, NOSB committees will present recommendations to the full board for a vote concerning the use or prohibition of 3 petitioned substances and the continued use of 11 of the 12 substances due to expire in September 2011. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/21/08 news, 08032135, for BP summary of AMS advance notice of proposed rulemaking on the sunset review of 12 substances due to expire in 2011.) AMS Federal Register notice (FR Pub 09/09/09) available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5079193&acct=noprulemaking.

8. EPA Proposes New SNUR for Elemental Mercury in Flow Meters, Etc.

EPA is proposing a significant new use rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act for elemental mercury for use in flow meters, natural gas manometers, and pyrometers, except for use in these articles when they are in service as of the effective date of the final rule. This action would require persons who intend to manufacture (including import) or process elemental mercury for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this proposed rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. Comments must be received on or before November 10, 2009. (EPA notice, D/N EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0483, FR Pub 09/11/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-21894.pdf)

9. New NIST Trace Explosives Standard Slated for Homeland Security Use

To aid in searches for explosive materials and persons who have been in contact with them, Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology, with support from the Department of Homeland Security, has developed a new certified reference material, Standard Reference Material (SRM) 2905, Trace Particulate Explosives. Compatible with field and laboratory assay methods, the SRM will be helpful in calibrating, testing and developing standard best operating procedures for trace-explosives detectors. (NIST notice available at http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/techbeat/tb2009_0908.htmsrm)

10. USDA Reports on World Market for Cotton

The USDA's Economic Research Service has issued a report entitled: U.S. Cotton Prices and the World Cotton Market: Forecasting and Structural Change, that analyzes recent structural changes in the world cotton industry and develops a statistical model that reflects current drivers of U.S. cotton prices. (ERS report, dated September 2009, available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/err80/)

11. CBSA Posts Statements of Reason for AD Waterproof Footwear from China/Vietnam, OCTG from China

Canada Border Services Agency posted its Statements of Reason concerning (i) the final determination with respect to the dumping of certain waterproof foootwear originating in or exported from China and Vietnam; (ii) the initiation of an investigation into the dumping of certain oil country tubular goods originating in or exported from China. (CBSA notices, dated 09/10/09 and 09/08/09 available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/i-e/ad1377/ad1377-i08-fd-eng.html and http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/i-e/ad1385/ad1385-i09-de-eng.html)

12. EC Finds Irregularities in 55% of European Consumer Electronics Websites

The European Commission has announced the results of an EU-wide investigation into misleading advertising and unfair practices on websites selling consumer electronic goods. The EC found that 55% of the websites investigated showed irregularities relating to: misleading information about consumer rights; misleading information about the total cost of the product; or incomplete contact details for the trader. The initial checks by national authorities will now be followed by an enforcement phase. (EC press release, dated 09/09/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1292&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

13. China-Pakistan Service Trade Agreement to Take Effect Oct 10th

China's Ministry of Commerce states that the China and Pakistan free trade zone service trade agreement will take effect on Oct. 10, 2009. (Mofcom press release, dated 09/11/09, available at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/commonnews/200909/20090906511164.html)

14. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:

Product: Reason	Company	Release
Children's Animal Masks and Pendants: Risk of Lead Exposure	Team Work Trading (CA)	09-338
Children's Hooded Fleece Sweatshirts: Strangulation Hazard	La Jolla Sport USA Inc. (CA)	09-767
Bandsaws: Shock Hazard	Grizzly Industrial (WA)	09-768
10 Speed SRAM Bicycle Chains with PowerLock connector links: Fall Hazard	SRAM LLC (IL)	09-342