Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
On February 15, 2005, Judge Michael Chertoff was sworn in as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after being confirmed by the Senate. Chertoff formerly served as U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. (DHS press release available at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/biography/biography_0116.xml.
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1. Michael Chertoff Sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security
2. COAC Gives Only "Qualified Support" to CBP's 'Final' New C-TPAT Security Standards for Importers
Shippers NewsWire reports that the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection and Related Functions (COAC) could give only "qualified support" to U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) "final" version of its new Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) security standards for importers. According to the article, COAC expressed concerns about how the new criteria will be implemented by importers, how CBP intends to administer or ensure compliance with the new criteria, the consequences for non-compliance, and the specific benefits importers can expect to receive based on participation. (SNW dated 02/16/05, www.americanshipper.com.)
3. Secretary of State Announces U.S. Will Rejoin Int'l Coffee Organization
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rica has announced that the U.S. has acceded to the 2001 International Coffee Agreement and has become a member of the International Coffee Organization (ICO). According to Rice, the U.S. had withdrawn from the organization in 1993 citing concerns over quota policies, but ICO reforms have led the U.S. to rejoin. (State Department Announcement, 02/05/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=February&x=20050207123858aawajuk0.3692285&t=xarchives/xarchitem.html)
4. DOE Seeks Comments on Stakeholders' Proposed Energy Standards for Certain Air Conditioners & Heat Pumps
The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a notice requesting comments by April 1, 2005 on "Joint Stakeholders Comments" that were filed in response to its July 29, 2004 advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) concerning possible energy efficiency standards for certain commercial unitary air conditioners and heat pumps with rated cooling capacities of 65,000 Btu/h and greater, but less than 240,000 Btu/h. (D/N EE-RM/STD-01-375, FR Pub 02/15/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-2875.pdf; ANPR, FR Pub 07/29/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-16575.pdf)
5. Federal Register Publication of FMC Order Denying ISA & AISA Petitions for Reconsideration of NSA Final Rule
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has published in the Federal Register its order denying the petitions filed by the International Shippers' Association (ISA) and the American Institute for Shippers' Associations (AISA) seeking reconsideration of and a stay on the FMC's final rule on non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) Service Arrangements (NSAs). (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/11/05 news, 05021115, for BP summary of the FMC's order.) (D/N 04-12, FR Pub 02/14/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-2796.pdf)