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April 9, 2012 CBP Releases ACAS Pilot Strategic Plan On March 30, 2012 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) posted the Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) Pilot Strategic Plan on their website, detailing the new pilot program and the planned implementation schedule. ACAS is a joint air cargo security program developed by CBP and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) following two attempted terrorist attacks in October 2010 in which cargo shipments destined for the U.S. contained explosives capable of bringing down an aircraft. As noted in the document, "ACAS allows CBP and TSA to receive advance security filing cargo data as a means to target cargo shipments inbound to the United States that may be high risk and require additional physical screening under the appropriate regulatory framework and protocols." The pilot program began in 2010 and initially focused only on express carriers as they account for the highest air cargo volume. CBP and TSA have now developed a phased approach to expand ACAS to include passenger air carriers, freight forwarders and cargo air carriers over a 28 month period, contingent on industry resources. According to the Strategic Plan, the phases are: Phase I: Initial Expansion to Passenger Air Carriers and Freight Forwarders and Amend TSA Standard Security Programs (SSPs) Phase V: Expansion to Small/Medium Cargo Volume Passenger Air Carriers and Freight Forwarders
Effective April 12, 2012, Amendment 11 to Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations will come into force. Amendment 11 introduces new minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) on a number of products in addition to increasing the stringency and/or scope of several products already covered. The five new products affected are: 1) Standby for electronic products As with other such regulated products, Canadian Customs notice 12-002 notes that importers and manufacturers must: Amendment 11 also increases the scope of existing energy standards for some currently regulated products, such as electric motors and large air conditioners. Additionally, it includes updates to reflect minor changes stemming from a recent amendment to the Energy Efficiency Act and other relevant standards updates. CBSA Customs Notice 12-002 is available at: Additional details regarding Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations are available at:
NAFTA Commission Joint Statement Released Following the April 3, 2012 meeting of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Commission, trade representatives from the United States, Mexico and Canada released a Joint Statement regarding the discussions and progress made during the meeting. According to a press release issued by the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Commission "discussed ways to enhance competitiveness, expand exports and spur growth among small- and medium-sized businesses in the three countries." In addition to these continued discussions, specific outcomes of the meeting included: - The Working Group on Rules of Origin (WGRO) agreed on a fourth set of changes to the NAFTA rules of origin. The WGRO was also instructed to begin work on a fifth set of changes to the rules of origin, including for areas of interest that were not covered under the fourth set of changes.
The U.S. Trade Representative press release is available at:
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