FTC Approves Amendments to Fur Products Labeling Act Regulations
Federal Trade Commission / http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2014/05/ftc-approves-amendments-fur-products-labeling-act-regulations
The Federal Trade Commission has amended its Regulations under the Fur Products Labeling Act (Fur Rules) to update the Fur Products Name Guide, provide businesses with more flexibility in labeling, incorporate provisions of the Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2010 (TFLA), and conform the Rules’ guaranty provisions to those governing textile products.
In March 2011, as required by the TFLA, the FTC began a review of the Name Guide, sought public comments on the Fur Rules, and announced upcoming changes to the Fur Rules required by Congress. In December 2011, the Commission held a public hearing on all aspects of the Name Guide, including whether the agency should modify, add or delete names for several specific species.
In September 2012, the FTC sought public comment on its proposed changes including those required by Congress under the TFLA and the FTC’s systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides. In June 2013, the agency sought public comment on proposed changes to the guaranty provisions of the Fur Rules that would align the Rules with proposed changes to the guaranty provisions of the Rules under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act. On March 14, 2014, the Commission announced final amendments to the Textile Rules’ guaranty provisions, which are substantively the same as those announced today for the Fur Rules.
In response to comments received, the amended Fur Rules retain “Asiatic Raccoon” in the Name Guide for labeling fur products from the species nyctereutes procyonoides. They also adopt the proposals for more labeling flexibility. The rules will become effective 180 days after publication in the Federal Register.
The Commission vote approving the Federal Register Notice amending its Regulations under the Fur Products Labeling Act was 4-0-1. Commissioner McSweeny was recorded as not participating. The Federal Register Notice is available on the FTC’s website and as a link to this press release and will be published in the Federal Register soon. (FTC File No. P074201; the staff contact is Matthew Wilshire, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2976)
For more information, read How to Comply with the Fur Products Labeling Act and the complete Rules and Regulations Under the Fur Products Labeling Act.
Port Surveillance News: CPSC Stops More Than 12.5 Million Units of Violative Products from Reaching Homes in Fiscal Year 2013
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission / http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Newsroom/News-Releases/2014/Port-Surveillance-News-CPSC-Stops-More-Than-125-Million-Units-of-Violative-Products-from-Reaching-Homes-in-Fiscal-Year-2013/
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) system for targeting certain high-risk cargo continued to net results in the last half of fiscal year 2013 leading to the identification of about 8.2 million units of consumer products that violated U.S. safety rules or that were found to be defective. For all of FY2013, more than 12.5 million units of violative imports were prevented from reaching the hands of consumers.
CPSC’s targeting system, known as the RAM (risk assessment methodology), was deployed as a pilot project in late 2011. Currently, CPSC is proposing to expand the RAM program, so that the program can reach its full potential of actively preventing dangerous imports from entering the stream of commerce, while facilitating compliant trade.
The RAM allows CPSC investigators to analyze certain data provided by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) about shipments of consumer products arriving at U.S. ports of entry, and then make risk-based decisions about which shipments to inspect. The RAM also allows CPSC to recognize low-risk cargo and facilitate its movement through the ports.
Using the RAM, CPSC investigators and their CBP counterparts were able to screen more than 14,000 different imported consumer product shipments during the last two quarters of FY 2013 -- April through September 2013.
During that six-month period, the screenings led to the identification of more than 600 shipments containing violative or defective products, totaling about 8.2 million units -- all of which CPSC and CBP prevented from moving into the U.S. stream of commerce and into the hands of consumers.
About 550 of the 600 product shipments investigators stopped were children’s products totaling about 2.1 million units.
The leading hazards identified in shipments of children’s products from April through September 2013 continued to be lead content or lead in paint in higher than allowable amounts. Additional hazards identified were products that contained phthalates and toys and other articles with small parts that present a choking hazard for children younger than 3 years old.
During the period when retailers imported products for the Memorial Day and Independence Day holidays in 2013, investigators stopped 51 shipments of violative fireworks. The more than 4.1 million units of fireworks made up the bulk of non-children’s products that were stopped in the six-month time frame.
A shipment of 100,000 disposable lighters was also stopped and seized for destruction due to the importer’s failure to demonstrate that the lighters successfully met performance safety requirements, including child resistance. Before cigarette lighters were required to be child-resistant, fire loss data revealed an estimated annual average of 7,250 residential structure fires, 190 deaths and 1,290 injuries that resulted from children younger than 5 playing with lighters.
A significant number of other products were identified for a variety of administrative violations.
Acting CPSC Chairman Bob Adler said the success of the import surveillance mission is a win for both consumers and retailers.
“Every day, our investigators, working with our federal partners in CBP, are focused on keeping U.S. families safe from harmful products,” Acting Chairman Adler said. “Our RAM program is a win-win-win for CPSC, consumers, and industry, which is why we are working to expand our defenses at the ports.”
A complete list of products found in violation of safety requirements enforced by CPSC is at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/Violations.
The RAM was developed to meet the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, which directed CPSC to create a risk assessment methodology to identify products imported into the U.S. that are most likely to violate consumer product safety statutes and regulations.
CPSC has been screening products at ports since the agency began operating in 1973. The agency intensified its efforts in 2008 with the creation of an import surveillance division and again in 2011 with the creation of the Office of Import Surveillance.
USITC Releases Fifth Annual Report on U.S. Textile and Apparel Imports from China
U.S. International Trade Commission / http://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2014/er0508mm1.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today released its annual compilation of reports on textile and apparel imports from China.
The report, Textile and Apparel Imports from China: Statistical Reports, Annual Compilation 2013, was requested by the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Ways and Means.
As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, produced an annual compilation of data that has been posted every two weeks on the USITC website. The data in the report are shown on an annual and quarterly basis, by category and by Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) 10-digit subheadings.
By category, annual data are provided from 2007 through 2013, and quarterly data are provided from first quarter 2012 through fourth quarter 2013. By HTS10 subheading, annual data are provided from 2011 through 2013, and quarterly data are provided from first quarter 2012 through fourth quarter 2013.
The report also will be available on the USITC Internet site in Excel and PDF formats at http://www.usitc.gov/research_and_analysis/What_We_Are_Working_On.htm (scroll down to the bottom of the page). A DVD of the report may be requested by email at pubrequest@usitc.gov, by calling 202-205-2000, or by writing the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.
USITC general factfinding investigations, such as this one, cover matters related to tariffs or trade and are generally conducted at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the House Committee on Ways and Means, or the Senate Committee on Finance. The resulting reports convey the Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in its general factfinding reports. Upon completion of each investigation, the USITC submits its findings and analyses to the requester. General factfinding investigation reports are subsequently released to the public unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.
PRESS RELEASE: International Trade Administration
http://www.trade.gov/press/press-releases/
05/05/2014 Commerce Preliminarily Finds Dumping of Imports of Grain-Oriented Electrical Steel from the People’s Republic of China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Poland, and the Russian Federation
05/05/2014 U.S. Commerce Department Healthcare Trade Mission Launches in Ankara
05/02/2014 Commerce Preliminarily Finds Dumping of Imports of Monosodium Glutamate from the People’s Republic of China and Indonesia
05/01/2014 International Trade Administration Announces Discover Global Markets Forums
CBP Intercepts Over $1 Million in Counterfeit Guitars
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/2014-05-05-000000/cbp-intercepts-over-1-million-counterfeit-guitars
Jersey City, N.J. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the International and CityBulk Mail Center in Jersey City, N.J. discovered more than 185 counterfeit guitars with an estimated retail value of more than $1,000,000.
While examining oversize parcels, CBP officers discovered five guitars bearing the Gibson, Les Paul, Paul Reed Smith, and Martin trademarks, as well as the marking “Made in USA.” The officers immediately suspected the guitars of being counterfeit based on the country of origin, poor craftsmanship, and packaging.
CBP has since identified more than 180 counterfeit guitars bearing additional trademarks of Epiphone, Fender, Taylor, and Ernie Ball—all being shipped through the same facility. Officers discovered business cards within the packaging, all referring to the same website. The website indicated these guitars could be purchased from China for about $200 to $500; but the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for authentic guitars range anywhere from $2,000 for basic models to $54,000 for signature models. The guitars were seized by officers and are scheduled for destruction.
“CBP is on the forefront of protecting the American economy and trademark holders. Counterfeit goods pose a serious threat to the consumer and economic loss to American business,” said Robert E. Perez, director of CBP’s New York Field Operations. “Enforcing intellectual property rights (IPR) remains a priority for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.”
CBP protects businesses and consumers every day through an aggressive IPR enforcement program.
Information about internet purchases is available. Additional information on CBP’s IPR enforcement efforts can be found at CBP IPR. .
Customs and Border Protection Announces Online Tool for Renewal of Trademarks and Copyright Recordation
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/2014-05-08-000000/customs-and-border-protection-announces-online
WASHINGTON — Effective today, the owners of federally registered trademarks and copyrights who recorded their rights with Customs and Border Protection can renew their recordation online through the newly revised Intellectual Property Rights e-Recordation application.
The online tool will enable 32,000 trademark and copyright owners to renew their recordation electronically rather than through paper filings.
The revised application also can be used by trademark and copyright owners to update ownership information, request extensions of time for submitting renewals and to check on the status of pending applications.
For more information, please email the Intellectual Property Rights Branch, Regulations and Rulings, Office of International Trade, at hqiprbranch@dhs.gov, or call Paul Pizzeck at (202) 325-0057, or Charles Steuart at (202) 325-0093.
For more information about CBP’s role in international trade, visit cbp.gov/trade.
FEMA: Less than a Month Until 2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins
U.S. Department of Homeland Security / http://www.dhs.gov/news/2014/05/06/fema-less-month-until-2014-atlantic-hurricane-season-begins
Residents Encouraged to Take Steps Now to be Prepared for Emergencies
WASHINGTON – With less than one month until the start of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season on June 1, now is the time to prepare. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges Americans to prepare their families and businesses for hurricanes and tropical storms by writing a communications plan, making a kit of essential items and being prepared for any potential financial impacts of such events, including reviewing their insurance policies with an insurance agent.
Individuals and families are encouraged to have a family communications plan and make a kit with essential items such as bottled water, non-perishable food and a can opener, spare batteries, and specialty items like medical prescriptions, spare eyeglasses and pet food. They can learn how to prepare for hurricane season at ready.gov/hurricanes, or they can get ready on the go by visiting m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA App for Android, Apple or Blackberry devices.
Business owners and managers should visit ready.gov/business for specific resources on response and continuity plans.
All property owners and renters are encouraged to review insurance coverage, including flood insurance, with an insurance agent to ensure their homes, businesses and possessions are adequately protected from all types of disasters.
Floods are the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States, and flooding can happen far from major bodies of water. As hurricanes and tropical storms move inland, the high winds and storm surge are often accompanied by torrential rains that increase the likelihood of flooding. For example, residents as far inland as West Virginia saw the impacts of Hurricane Sandy two years ago, including flooding.
Flood insurance policies should be viewed as protection against a continuing threat – not something to purchase only if flooding appears imminent. In fact, flood insurance policies typically have a 30-day waiting period from the date of purchase before going into effect, and floods can happen at any time of the year.
Flood insurance is available nationwide through approximately 85 insurance companies in more than 22,000 communities. Homeowners, renters, condo owners and commercial owners/renters can all purchase flood insurance. Costs vary depending on the level of coverage, the type of coverage and the property’s flood risk. More information about flood risk and flood insurance options is available by visiting www.floodsmart.gov or calling 1-800-427-2419.
FEMA will also join NOAA's National Hurricane Center to promote storm readiness this month during Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 25-31.