29 September 2011
Trade Controls to be Imposed on 91 Hardwood Species as of Dec. 22 - (Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.)

The secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora has announced that as of Dec. 22 nearly 100 species of ebony wood and rosewood will be added to CITES Appendix III in an effort to curb an increase in illegal timber trade. An Appendix III listing means that all international trade in logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets of these species will need to be accompanied by CITES documentation confirming the country of 
origin. Appendix III includes all species that any CITES member identifies as being subject to regulation within its jurisdiction for the purposes of preventing or restricting exploitation and as needing the cooperation of other members in the control of trade.

According to the press release, Madagascar requested the inclusion of five species of rosewood and 84 species of ebony wood after illegal trade increased 25% in 2009. Rosewood is extensively used for high-end furniture, housing and musical instruments. In addition, Panama requested help in controlling trade in its national population of black rosewood, also known as cocobolo. This wood is exceptionally good for marine use and is also used for gun grips, butts of billiard cues, chess pieces, jewelry boxes, inlay and veneer, the handles of high-quality hair brushes, bowling balls, marimbas, clarinets and xylophones.

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At their first-ever consumer product safety summit in Washington, D.C., Sept. 27, the U.S., Canada and Mexico agreed to closer cooperation on strengthening the safety of consumer goods. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Health Canada and the Mexico's Consumer Protection Federal Agency issued a joint statement committing themselves to undertake specific work together during the next two years in six areas: consultation on proposed regulations and voluntary standards, cooperation on risk assessment, cooperation on import and market surveillance, cooperation on training and outreach within and outside North America, coordinated consumer awareness campaigns, and consultation on potential joint recalls or corrective actions.

According to a CPSC press release, imports from Mexico and Canada account for the second- and third-largest shares, respectively, of imported consumer products likely to be under CPSC jurisdiction. The joint statement adds that the increasing share of global consumer products coming from other countries into North American markets, along with the high levels of trade and connectivity among the NAFTA partners, require closer trilateral cooperation to address common product safety issues and challenges more effectively. By promoting the alignment of product safety requirements at a high level of safety, the three countries may achieve improved consumer confidence, regulatory and economic efficiencies and other stakeholder benefits.

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The following is excerpted from a 15 September 2011 release by the International Chamber of Commerce.

New protection for Internet users and detailed standards for marketers selling to them are highlighted in a newly revised code of global marketing practice. The Consolidated ICC Code of Advertising and Marketing Communications, launched today and made globally available online, serves as the foundation for national self-regulatory systems that monitor marketing practices and provide consumers with easy access to make complaints and redress problems.

The Code was unveiled today at an international conference on responsible advertising, hosted by CONARED, the Latin American Association of Advertising Self-Regulatory Organizations...

This release is available in its entirety on the International Chamber of Commerce website at:

http://www.iccwbo.org/policy/marketing/index.html?id=45716

The following is a 14 September 2011 press release from the World Customs Organization.

On 13 September 2011, the Bahamas deposited with the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization its instrument of accession to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System).

Considering that more than 98% of international merchandise trade is classified in terms of the Harmonized System, the World Customs Organization is pleased to welcome the Bahamas as the 140th Contracting Party to the Harmonized System Convention and looks forward to Bahamas’ active participation with respect to Harmonized System matters.

Bahamas has been a Member of the World Customs Organization since 16 August 1974. Bahamas is a chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba. Its principal export commodities are mineral products and salt, animal products, rum, chemicals, fruit and vegetables. The country’s main import commodities are machinery and transport equipment, manufactured products, chemicals, mineral fuels, food and live animals.

The Harmonized System Convention will enter into force in the Bahamas on 3 October 2011.

5 May 2011
China rules U.S car makers guilty of dumping

China has found some U.S.-made passenger cars benefited from unfair subsidies, damaging its car makers, although Beijing side-stepped a potential trade row with the United States by not hitting them with duties.
That decision could ease fractious U.S.-China relations, already strained by tensions over the appreciation of the yuan and criticisms from the United States that Beijing is favouring giant state-owned enterprises by keeping borrowing costs low...

This article is available in its entirety on The Globe and Mail website at: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/china-rules-us-car-makers-guilty-of-dumping/article2010897/

The ATA Carnet System is set to expand on 16 May, when Mexico will join this international system, which reduces paperwork and costs for businesses travelling with goods, following new members such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the United Arab Emirates.
Mexico has long been identified as one of the priority target countries by the network of organizations already affiliated with the ATA guarantee chain, administered by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The addition will bring to 71 the number of countries accepting ATA Carnets, which work like passports for goods...

This release is available in its entirety on the International Chamber of Commerce website at: http://www.iccwbo.org/wcf/index.html?id=42986