Utah Implements New Sterilization and Labelling Requirements for Quilted Clothing - Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt LLP
The state of Utah is implementing new sterilization and labelling requirements for quilted apparel (filled with feather and down, wool, or animal hair). The new rules require specific sterilization processes and advance licensing of sterilization facilities. Additionally, the sterilization license number and type of fill must be included on a permanent label. The new rules are effective January 1, 2022 without any lay period exceptions.
Please do not hesitate to contact John A. Schoenig or one our other attorneys with any questions or to obtain program details.
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Temporary Revision to PierPass to Take Effect - Federal Maritime Commission
The Commission granted a request for expedited review of this amendment to the West Coast MTO Agreement, under which authority the PierPass program was established.
The Federal Maritime Commission is permitting a temporary revision to the PierPass program to go into effect, allowing “off-peak” users of marine terminal gates at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to be exempted from paying the Traffic Mitigation Fee. The exemption lasts from December 1, 2021, through January 31, 2022.
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Federal Register Notices:
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Strontium Chromate From Austria: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2019-2020
• Certain Tissue Paper Products From the People's Republic of China: Continuation of the Antidumping Duty Order
• Certain Uncoated Paper From Brazil: Notice of Initiation and Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Changed Circumstances Review
• Magnesium Metal From the People's Republic of China: Continuation of Antidumping Duty Order
• Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp From India: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2019-2020
• Oil Country Tubular Goods From the People's Republic of China: Final Affirmative Determinations of Circumvention
• Large Residential Washers From Mexico: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2019-2020
• Large Residential Washers From Mexico: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2019-2020
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Oil Country Tubular Goods From Argentina, Mexico, Russia, and South Korea
• Certain Audio Players and Controllers, Components Thereof, and Products Containing the Same; Commission Determination To Review In Part a Final Initial Determination Finding a Violation of Section 337; Schedule for Filing Written Submissions on Remedy, the Public Interest, and Bonding; Extension of the Target Date
• Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Circular Welded Carbon Steel Pipes and Tubes From the Republic of Turkey: Final Results and Rescission, in Part, of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; Calendar Year 2019
• Strontium Chromate From France: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2019-2020
• Certain Steel Nails From the Sultanate of Oman: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2019-2020
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Electric Shavers and Components and Accessories Thereof Notice of Request for Submissions on the Public Interest
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Diamond Sawblades and Parts Thereof From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Final Determination of No Shipments; 2019-2020
• Monosodium Glutamate From the Republic of Indonesia: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2019-2020
• Oil Country Tubular Goods From the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation: Postponement of Preliminary Determinations in the Countervailing Duty Investigations
• Finished Carbon Steel Flanges From India: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2019
• Fresh Garlic From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results, Preliminary Rescission, and Final Rescission, In Part, of the 26th Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2019-2020
• Heavy Walled Rectangular Welded Carbon Steel Pipes and Tubes From the Republic of Korea, Mexico, and the Republic of Turkey: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Reviews of the Antidumping Duty Orders
• Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations: Certain Superabsorbent Polymers From the Republic of Korea: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Distributional Effects of Trade and Trade Policy on U.S. Workers
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity To Request Administrative Review
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Advance Notification of Sunset Review
• Multilayered Wood Flooring From the People's Republic of China: Notice of Amended Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2018
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-to-Length Plate From Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, South Africa, Taiwan, and Turkey; Institution of Five-Year Reviews
• Certain Coated Paper Suitable for High-Quality Print Graphics Using Sheet-Fed Presses From China and Indonesia; Institution of Five-Year Reviews
• Heavy Forged Hand Tools From China; Institution of Five-Year Reviews
• Stainless Steel Plate From Belgium, South Africa, and Taiwan; Institution of Five-Year Review
• Iron Construction Castings From Brazil, Canada, and China; Institution of Five-Year Reviews
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Softwood Lumber Products From Canada: Final Results of the Countervailing Duty Administrative Review, 2019
• Certain Softwood Lumber Products From Canada: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2019
• Multilayered Wood Flooring From the People's Republic of China: Notice of Initiation of Changed Circumstances Review
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Potassium Permanganate From China
• Hot-Rolled Steel Flat Products From Turkey; Request for Comments Regarding the Institution of a Section 751(b) Review Concerning the Commission's Affirmative Determination
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ATTENTION Holiday Shoppers: CBP Just Seized Over $30 Million Worth of Fake Designer Products - U.S. Customs & Border Protection
CBP Officers at the LA/Long Beach Seaport seized more than 13,500 Counterfeit Products in a Shipment arriving from China
LOS ANGELES — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers assigned to the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport in coordination with Import Specialists from the Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising (CPMM) Center of Excellence and Expertise intercepted 13,586 counterfeit designer products arriving in a containerized cargo shipment from China.
CBP officers discovered handbags, tote bags, shoulder bags, crossbody bags, backpacks, shirts, and pants bearing numerous registered and recorded trademarks, such as Gucci, Chanel, Fendi, YSL and Louis Vuitton.
CBP officers, in cooperation with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agents seized the shipment on November 9, 2021. If genuine, the seized merchandise would have a combined estimated Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $30,437,775.
“CBP commits substantial law enforcement resources to keep counterfeit and pirated goods out of U.S. supply chains, markets, and streets,” said Carlos C. Martel, Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “Now more than ever, CBP officers remain vigilant, committed, and focused on disrupting these smuggling operations.”
Historically, counterfeit products have been sold on illegitimate websites and in underground outlets. The rise of e-commerce offers a haven for criminals who are now able to hide behind seemingly legitimate listings on well-known websites. The sale of counterfeit commodities multiplies the illegal profits of smugglers and traffickers who reinvest the proceeds from such sales into further criminal enterprises.
“Bad actors exploit e-commerce operations by selling counterfeit and unsafe goods through online platforms, particularly during the holiday season when shoppers are looking for deals,” said Donald R. Kusser, Port Director of the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport. “If the price of the product seems too good to be true, it probably is. Counterfeit goods are often of poor quality and can even be unsafe for you and your family.”
Consumers can take simple steps to protect themselves and their families from counterfeit goods:
• Purchase goods directly from the trademark holder or from authorized retailers.
• When shopping online, read seller reviews and check for a working U.S. phone number and address that can be used to contact the seller.
• Review CBP’s E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers.
• Remember that if the price of a product seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• Counterfeit apparel, footwear, and handbags are often of inferior quality and may feature poor or uneven stitching, fragile fabrics, and improperly sized or designed logos. Peeling labels, low-quality ink or printing errors on the packaging are also signs that products may not be legitimate.
Trade in counterfeit and pirated goods threatens America’s innovation economy, the competitiveness of businesses, and, in some cases, national security and the health and safety of consumers.
To deter the importation of illicit goods and protect U.S. consumers and businesses, CBP has developed a proactive, aggressive and dynamic enforcement approach to Intellectual Property Right (IPR) enforcement.
In Fiscal Year 2020, CBP personnel nationwide seized 26,503 shipments containing counterfeit goods estimated to be worth nearly $1.3 billion had they been genuine.
For more information about the risks associated with purchasing counterfeit goods, visit CBP’s Fake Goods, Real Dangers website and read CBP’s e-Commerce Awareness Guide. Additional tips for protecting your family from counterfeit goods are available at StopFakes.gov. Right holders wishing to protect their brand from infringing imports should record their trademarks and copyrights with CBP at https://iprr.cbp.gov/.
Suspected IPR violations, fraud, or illegal trade activity can be reported by contacting CBP through the e-Allegations Online Trade Violations Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT. Violations can also be reported to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center at
https://www.iprcenter.gov/referral/ or by telephone at 1-866-IPR-2060.
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Op-ed by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai: What new steel and aluminum deals mean for American families - Department of Commerce
Steel and aluminum are critical components of the American economy. From cars and trucks to our appliances and beer cans, Americans depend on steel and aluminum for everyday items. Many Americans also rely on the steel and aluminum industries for good-paying jobs. The steel industry supports nearly 2 million Americans who, on average, earn 27% more than the median earnings for men and 58% more than the median for women, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
But for too long, China has been flooding global markets with its cheap steel and aluminum, artificially lowering prices, and making it impossible for America’s steel and aluminum industries to compete. The effects of this reality have rippled through the American economy, harming manufacturers, workers and consumers. Between January 2015 and October 2016, America lost 16,000 steel jobs. The American Iron and Steel Institute says that the biggest factor for those losses was unfair trade practices like the ones being carried out by China. An excess of subsidized steel and aluminum from China made it impossible for U.S. industries to compete, and American workers paid the price. And all of us also paid the price because the production of Chinese steel — some of the world’s dirtiest — pumped tons of carbon into the atmosphere.
The previous administration imposed steep tariffs on steel and aluminum not just from China, but from our allies and partners. These tariffs were a huge irritant for our allies and stood in the way of us working together to counter cheap steel being dumped into our markets. The European Commission planned to hike retaliatory tariffs by 50% on iconic American companies like Harley Davidson, Levi’s Jeans and the Kentucky Bourbon industry, set to take effect on Dec. 1, threatening millions of jobs across the country. No business could have survived that. When President Joe Biden came into office, he was clear that we had to find a solution that would protect the U.S. steel and aluminum industries and the American workers they employ, while also repairing and strengthening our relationship with the European Union — one of our most trusted partners — and supporting the export of American-made products.
Last month, President Biden and European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen announced a major breakthrough in our approach to steel and aluminum trade that will protect American jobs and American industry, address the existential threat of climate change and lower costs for middle-class families at home. The United States will allow a sustainable amount of steel and aluminum to enter from the EU, ensuring that these products are produced entirely in the EU. This agreement is a huge win for American workers, farmers, businesses, families, and the environment. It will protect good-paying union jobs, lower prices for consumers, maintain our competitiveness, and reduce emissions.
Many Americans are experiencing the pinch of price increases — from the department store to the used car lot — due to COVID-19 related supply-chain disruptions. The steel industry was not immune to these effects either. Over the last 12 months, the cost of steel used by American manufacturers more than tripled. And those price increases were passed down to consumers from washing machines and houses to televisions and beer cans. These quotas will help drive down some of those price increases for American consumers, while protecting America’s industries and workers at the same time.
Going forward, we will continue our whole of government approach to identify and address issues in the global supply chain and use every available tool to reduce inflationary pressures.
And there’s more to it. Not only does this deal remove one of the largest, bilateral irritants in the U.S.- EU relationship, it transforms it into joint, forward progress on two of the largest problems we face: the threat of climate change and the economic threat posed by unfair competition by China.
Through this deal, we will begin negotiations between the U.S. and our partners in the European Union to create the world’s first carbon-based sectoral agreement on steel and aluminum trade. The United States produces some of the cleanest steel in the world, while China produces some of the dirtiest. By updating the rules of trade for the 21st century in a way that rewards the production of cleaner steel and aluminum, we can both promote decarbonization and ensure that our steel industry and workers reap the benefits of their cleaner production, ensuring a competitive American steel and aluminum industry for decades to come.
By agreeing to this framework, we are not only protecting American workers, but we are also showing the entire world that clean manufacturing will benefit our companies and workers, as well as consumers. Because of this deal, we are safer today, our economy will be stronger tomorrow and our planet will be cleaner for years to come. As President Biden laid out since day one, our economic policies — from these steel and aluminum agreements to the Build Back Better agenda — are about strengthening and protecting American industries, American workers and American families. This is just the beginning, and we will continue to make our country more competitive, level the playing field for working families and position the U.S.to win the 21st century.
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Santa Says Don’t Aim Holiday Laser-Light Displays at the Sky - FAA
WASHINGTON - The holiday season is here and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wants to make sure your laser-light displays are aimed at your house, not at the sky. Each year, we receive reports from pilots who are distracted or temporarily blinded by residential laser-light displays.
You might not realize this, but a well-meaning attempt to spread holiday cheer has the potential to create a serious safety risk to pilots and passengers on airplanes that fly overhead. So please make sure all laser lights are directed at your house and not pointing towards the sky. The extremely concentrated beams of laser lights reach much farther than you might realize.
If we become aware that your laser-light display affects pilots, we’ll ask you to adjust them or turn them off. If your laser-light display continues to affect pilots, despite our warnings, you could face a civil penalty.
The FAA works with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to pursue civil and criminal penalties against individuals who purposely aim a laser at an aircraft. We may impose civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation. Civil penalties of up to $30,800 have been imposed by the FAA against individuals for multiple laser incidents.
Laser strikes against aircraft continue to increase each year. As of November 22, the FAA received 8,550 laser strike reports for 2021, exceeding the 2020 total of 6,852. This marks the highest number of laser strike incidents since FAA began tracking statistics in 2010.
Intentionally aiming a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety risk and violates federal law. Many high-powered lasers can completely incapacitate pilots who are trying to fly safely to their destinations and may be carrying hundreds of passengers.
To identify laser strike trends, the FAA developed a visualization tool, using the Tableau software platform that shows laser strike data from 2010 to 2020 and highlights trends by geographic area, per capita data, time of day and year. The FAA shares the information to draw attention to the dangerously high rate of laser strikes on airplanes. Laser report data by year can be downloaded on the FAA’s website.
The FAA remains vigilant to raise awareness about the dangers of pointing lasers at aircraft and encourages the public to report laser strikes to the FAA and local law enforcement agencies.
Please watch our video about the dangers of lasers, learn more and get the facts about laser strikes hazards.