The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee’s Secure Trade Lanes Subcommittee Export Modernization Working Group issued draft recommendations ahead of the COAC’s Oct. 7 meeting. The group recommends that CBP work with the Census Bureau and others to define a “clerical error versus a material error” for both Electronic Export Information and manifest filings and issue “appropriate guidance” to CBP personnel. When CBP finds clerical errors in the filings, the group said, CBP should contact the filer for a correction before issuing a penalty. The group also recommended that CBP work with Census to “develop and conduct” mandatory export enforcement training for CBP personnel.

The Drug Enforcement Administration permanently placed the synthetic opioid crotonyl fentanyl into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, in a final rule. The substance had already been temporarily listed in Schedule I since 2018. The final rule takes effect Oct. 2, when it is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register.

The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet Oct. 7, remotely, beginning at 1 p.m. EDT, CBP said in a notice. Comments are due in writing by Oct. 6. The COAC will hear from the following subcommittees on the topics listed below and then will review, deliberate and formulate recommendations on how to proceed on those topics:

The Food Safety and Inspection Service is proposing to amend its inspection regulations to expand situations wherein the agency will generically approve the labels of meat, poultry and egg products, it said in a proposed rule issued Sept. 14. If the proposed rule is adopted, FSIS would no longer need labels to be submitted for FSIS approval if they are (1) labels on products for export that deviate from FSIS requirements; (2) labels that list ingredients in the ingredients statement as being certified “organic” (e.g., organic garlic) under the Agricultural Marketing Service National Organic Program; (3) labels that display geographic landmarks, such as a foreign country's flag, monument, or map; (4) labels that make negative claims identifying the absence of certain ingredients or types of ingredients (e.g., statements such as “No MSG Added,” “Preservative Free,” “No Milk,” “No Pork,” or “Made Without Soy”); or (5) labels of products that receive voluntary FSIS inspection. FSIS is also proposing to “cease evaluating labels submitted to FSIS that are eligible for generic approval,” it said. Comments are due Nov. 13.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service seeks comment by Nov. 2 on the reinstatement of its collections of information related to export health certificates for animal products, it said in a notice released Sept. 2. APHIS issues the certificates to satisfy import requirements in other countries for animal products from the U.S., and the certifications must carry the U.S. Department of Agriculture seal and be endorsed by an APHIS representative. APHIS estimates the process takes exporters about 20 minutes. After considering comments, it will submit the information collection to the Office of Management and Budget for approval.

The Environmental Protection Agency is removing the Toxic Substances Control Act significant new use rule (SNUR) on one chemical substance, alpha 1-, 3-polysaccharide, which was the subject of a premanufacture notice. EPA’s final rule, which takes effect Sept. 24, removes new use notification requirements. The revocation is “based on new test data for the chemical substance,” the agency said.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new reporting requirements for three chemical substances under significant new use rules, it said Aug. 25. The proposed SNURs would require notification to EPA at least 90 days in advance of a new use by importers, manufacturers or processors. Importers of chemical substances subject to these proposed SNURs would need to certify their compliance with the SNUR requirements should these proposed rules be finalized, EPA said. Exporters of these chemical substances would become subject to export notification requirements. Comments on the proposed SNURs are due Sept. 24. The SNURs would cover the following chemical substances:

More companies are seeking drawback payments as the economic slowdown has increased the importance of cash on hand, CBP officials and industry executives said during the American Association of Exporters and Importers virtual conference Aug. 20. “In general, I would say COVID's had a major impact on our businesses and it's also made our company even more focused on getting cash in the door,” said Kathleen Palma, senior executive for international trade compliance at GE. “One of the levers that our leadership has been looking at has been drawback.” At the same time, Palma expects that because the company is bringing in fewer shipments, that will be reflected in fewer drawback claims going forward.

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule setting new significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for seven chemical substances subject to premanufacture notices (PMNs). As a result of the SNURs, persons planning to manufacture, import or process any of the chemicals for an activity designated as a significant new use by this rule are required to notify EPA at least 90 days in advance. Importers of chemicals subject to these SNURs will need to certify their compliance with the SNUR requirements, and exporters of these chemicals will now become subject to export notification requirements. The final rule takes effect Oct. 2. The SNURs cover the following chemical substances:

The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing to require reports of thefts or significant losses of controlled substances be submitted electronically. The agency would require electronic submission of DEA Form 106 by importers, exporters and suppliers within 15 days of the theft or loss, and would also add new requirements for the form to be submitted accurately. DEA is accepting comments on the proposal beginning on the proposed rule’s scheduled publication date, July 29, until Sept. 28.