GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN

U.S. Releases Strategy on Critical Minerals

13 June 2019

The U.S. Department of Commerce recently released an inter-agency report setting forth a new federal strategy to ensure secure and reliable supplies of critical minerals. The report contains a government-wide action plan, including recommendations to advance research and development efforts, increase domestic activity across the supply chain, streamline permitting and grow the American critical minerals workforce. More

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Recent Legislative Efforts Target Mainland China, Effectiveness of Federal Regulatory System

27 May 2019

U.S. lawmakers recently introduced several bills of potential interest to Hong Kong and mainland Chinese exporters. Two of these bills are aimed directly at mainland China while two additional pieces of legislation seek to improve the effectiveness of the federal regulatory system. More

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FDA Expedited Review Programme Application Period Extended

22 May 2019

The Food and Drug Administration is extending through 31 July the deadline for applying to participate in the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program for the fiscal year 2020 benefit period, which will begin on 1 October. More

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EU Directive Published on Unfair Trading Practices in the Supply Chain for Foodstuffs

16 May 2019

On 25 April 2019, Directive 2019/633 on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain was published in the Official Journal. The Directive aims to provide protection along the entire agri-food supply chain, to suppliers vis-à-vis their buyers. More

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FDA to Begin “Intentional Adulteration” Inspections in March 2020

23 April 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on 17 April that routine inspections to verify compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act’s intentional adulteration rule will begin in March 2020. The FSMA was signed into law on 4 January 2011 and the FDA has been working to develop a final rule on intentional adulteration to address hazards that may be intentionally introduced to foods, including by acts of terrorism, with the intent to cause widespread harm to public health. More

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Argentina Updates AEO Programme to Facilitate Global Trade

11 April 2019

Argentina has updated its authorised economic operator programme in line with World Customs Organisation parameters in an effort to modernise this scheme and facilitate the signing of mutual recognition agreements with the customs authorities of other countries. More

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FDA Unveils New Strategy for Imported Food

28 February 2019

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced on 25 February changes to his agency’s strategy for ensuring the safety of food imported into the United States. Gottlieb’s statement referenced the growing importance of imported food in the U.S. marketplace, noting that the United States now imports 15 percent of its food from more than 200 countries or territories. More

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CBP to Expand Tests of Blockchain Uses

10 January 2019

U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently completed one test of potential use of blockchain technology and is looking to conduct additional tests this year. For several months in 2018 CBP tested the use of blockchain for the certifications of origin used to qualify goods for preferential treatment under NAFTA and CAFTA-DR, and a report on the agency’s conclusions is expected in the near future. More

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Import Measures Imposed on Mainland Chinese Aluminium Extrusions and Plywood Alleged to Evade AD/CV Duties

07 December 2018

In separate cases, CBP has determined that there is a reasonable suspicion that importers are evading the AD and CV duty orders on aluminium extrusions from mainland China (by not declaring certain door thresholds containing aluminium extrusions as subject to these orders) as well as hardwood plywood from mainland China (by transshipment through Vietnam). More

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Congressional Research Service Examines Aspects of “National Security Exception” under GATT Article XXI

07 December 2018

The non-partisan Congressional Research Service issued a report on 28 November that examines various aspects of the “national security exception” under GATT Article XXI. This analysis is especially relevant in light of the on-going legal challenge by a number of economies at the WTO against the use by the United States of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to impose additional tariffs on steel and aluminium imports on the basis of national security considerations. More

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