Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official has recently stated that DHS wants to establish a "gold standard" for supply-chain security that combines regulation and voluntary cooperation between government and business. According to the article, the criteria would comprise security measures enforced through DHS regulation, and cooperative programs like the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), and that combined, they would allow commerce to resume after a terrorist attack. (JoC Online, dated 07/26/04, www.joc.com.)
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1. DHS Official Discusses "Gold Standard" for Supply-Chain Security
2. Keith Thomson is Appointed Assistant Commissioner for CBP's Office of International Affairs
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a press release announcing the appointment of E. Keith Thomson as the Assistant Commissioner for the Office of International Affairs. According to the press release, Thomson previously headed CBP's Office of Trade Relations. (CBP press release dated 07/29/04, available via fax or email by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)
3. Asian Textile Industry Prepares for Quota's End
The Wall Street Journal reports that with the anticipated December 31, 2004 elimination of quota, Asian garment manufacturers with core operations in Latin America have been building up production in China. It is also expected that Chinese textile mills will soon seek to get into the garment-making business themselves, and will cut out the middlemen and higher-cost producers in Hong Kong. (WSJ, dated 07/07/04, www.wsj.com)
4. EPA Settles with One Tijuana & Two San Diego Hazardous Waste Firms
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it has settled with Samex Environmental Services and Hazardous Materials Transportation, Inc., of San Diego, CA, and Servicios Ambientales Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V. of Tijuana, MX, requiring them to pay $25,000 for violations involving improperly characterizing, manifesting and packaging hazardous waste that had been transported from Mexican maquiladoras into the U.S. (EPA news release, dated 07/19/04, available at http://cfpub.epa.gov/compliance/newsroom/index.cfm?templatePage=3&archiveSearch)
5. FDA Final Rule Provides for Safe Use of Color Additive D&C Black No. 2
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final rule, effective August 30, 2004, amending the color additive regulations to provide for the safe use of D&C Black No. 2 (a high-purity furnace black, subject to FDA batch certification) as a color additive in the following cosmetics: eyeliner, brush-on-brow, eye shadow, etc. Objections and requests for a hearing should be submitted by August 27, 2004. (D/N 1987C-0023, FR Pub 07/28/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-17153.pdf)
6. MARAD Issues Interim Final Rule on New Maritime Security Fleet
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) has issued an interim final rule, effective October 1, 2004, to create a new Maritime Security Program that establishes a fleet of active, commercially viable, privately owned vessels to meet national defense and other security requirements, and to maintain a U.S. presence in international commercial shipping. Written comments should be received by August 19, 2004 and applications for enrollment of vessels are due by October 15, 2004. (D/N MARAD-2004-18489, FR Pub 07/20/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-16454.pdf)