Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
1. Washington Becomes Fifth State to Ban BPA in Certain Products
According to Consumer Reports, Washington state has joined Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota and Wisconsin in banning Bisphenol A in certain products. Under Washington's law, plastic containers made with BPA that are designed to hold food or beverages for children under three may not be manufactured, sold, or distributed in the state, effective July 1, 2011. Effective July 1, 2012, the ban will extend to plastic sports bottles. (Notice, posted 03/22/10, available at http://blogs.consumerreports.org/safety/2010/03/washington-bans-bpa-bisphenol-a.html)
2. China Claims Full Compliance in IPR Dispute at WTO DSB Meeting, Etc
The World Trade Organization has posted highlights of the Dispute Settlement Body's March 19, 2010 meeting. China stated it has fully complied with DSB rulings in the intellectual property rights case; the EU announced its agreement with Argentina in the biotech dispute; and the U.S. and Thailand have agreed to a six month "reasonable period of time" for the U.S. to comply in the retail carrier bag dispute. (Notice, dated 03/19/10, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news10_e/dsb_19mar10_e.htm)
3. Export.Gov Announces Asia Pacific Conference in California
Export.Gov has information on the Asia / Pacific Business Outlook Conference, hosted by the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, with the full support of the U.S. Commercial Service, that will be held on April 19-20, 2010. Export.gov states it is the longest running, most successful regional conference of its kind focusing specifically on Asian markets. (Notice, posted 03/22/10, available at http://www.buyusa.gov/pacificsouth/apbo.html)
4. BIS Issues Joint Press Statement on U.S.-India Technology Group Meeting
The Bureau of Industry and Security has posted a joint press statement on the U.S.-India 7th High Technology Cooperation Group Meeting on March 15-16, in which representatives pledged to work together to promote and facilitate bilateral commerce in high technology sectors, including Defense and Strategic Trade, Biotechnology, Civil Aviation, and Nanotechnology. (Press statement, posted 03/22/10, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/pdf/htcg_joint_press_statement_03_15_2010.pdf)
5. BIS Amends EAR Technical Notes, Biological Agent List Pursuant to AG Plenary
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a final rule, effective March 23, 2010, which adds technical notes to the AG "Control List of Dual-Use Chemical Manufacturing Facilities and Equipment and Related Technology and Software" in the EAR, and removes "white pox" virus from the AG "List of Biological Agents for Export Control," pursuant to the 2009 Australia Group plenary. (D/N 100119033-0042-01, FR Pub 03/23/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-6371.pdf)
6. BIS Corrects Two ECCNs in 2008 Wassenaar Arrangement Final Rule
The Bureau of Industry and Security is correcting errors affecting Export Control Classification Numbers 1A004 and 5A001 in its December 11, 2009 final rule which, among other things, amended Commerce Control List entries under Categories 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Part I (telecommunications), and 5 Part II (information security) pursuant to the Wassenaar Arrangement 2008 Plenary. (D/N 0908041218-91220-01, FR Pub 03/23/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-6381.pdf)
7. DDTC Updates List of Statutorily Debarred Parties Through March 2010
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls announces that the Arms Export Control Act list of Statutorily Debarred Parties has been updated for the period of July 1988 through March 2010. The list includes the Federal Register cite for each debarred party. (List, updated 03/22/10, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/compliance/debar.html)
8. WTO's Lamy Opens "Doha Stocktaking" Meeting, Hopes for Conclusion
World Trade Organization Director General Lamy opened the WTO's week of "stocktaking" meetings of the Doha Round by expressing hope that the week would focus the political energy needed to move the Round into the concluding phase. He also outlined the week's schedule which includes Negotiating Chair reports, consultations among members, and expression of views. (Notice, dated 03/22/10, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news10_e/tnc_dg_stat_22mar10_e.htm)
9. DDTC Name Change Notices
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has announced the following entity name change(s) for new DDTC license applications. New license applications received after the listed deadline will be considered for return without action for correction to the new name (notice hyperlinked):
Tenix Datagate (UK), Limited to BAE Systems Datagate Limited - 03/31/10
Seattle Aero International to Seattle Aero LLC - 05/15/10
Defense Technology Corporation of America Changing to Safariland, LLC - 05/15/10
City Centre Archives, Inc. to City Centre Archives, Ltd. - 04/30/10
i-Logistics Corp. of Japan to ITOCHU Logistics Corp. - 03/31/10
GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms (Ottawa) Ltd. of Canada to GE Intelligent Platforms (Ottawa) Limited - 05/05/10
Aeroflex International Limited of the United Kingdom changing to Aeroflex Limited - 05/09/10