Legislative Update: Shipping, UK, China, Kazakhstan, Cosmetics, Supply Chains

Subscribe to daily updates

For more information on pursuing trade policy interests through the legislative process, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson at (202) 730-4956 or via email.

Shipping. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted May 24 to approve the Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act (H.R. 1836, introduced March 28 by Reps. Johnson, R-S.D., and Garamendi, D-Calif.), which includes the following provisions.

- establishes a formal process to report complaints against shipping exchanges to the Federal Maritime Commission for investigation

- bans U.S. port authorities from using the Chinese state-sponsored National Transportation Logistics Public Information Platform and similar state-sponsored malware

- codifies the definition of "controlled carrier" under the Shipping Act to encompass state-controlled enterprises in non-market economies like China

- authorizes the FMC to streamline data standards for maritime freight logistics and use existing data standards or industry best practices

- authorizes the Bureau of Transportation Statistics to collect more information on port operations, such as the total of incoming and outgoing containers and yard capacity

- clarifies that the FMC may stipulate additional minimum requirements for service contracts by ocean common carriers

- establishes reciprocal trade as part of the FMC's mission in enforcing the Shipping Act

- prohibits the FMC from requiring ocean carriers to report information already reported to other federal agencies

The committee also voted to approve H.R. 3395 (introduced May 17 by Rep. Auchincloss, D-Mass.), which would direct the FMC to seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center to evaluate foreign ownership of marine terminals at the 15 largest U.S. container ports.

United Kingdom. The Undertaking Negotiations on Investment and Trade for Economic Dynamism Act (H.R. 3653, introduced May 24 by Reps. Smith, R-Neb., and Himes, D-Conn.) would provide the president with authority to enter into a comprehensive trade agreement with the United Kingdom.

China. H.R. 3597 (introduced May 23 by Rep. Santos, R-N.Y.) would direct the president to impose sanctions on China.

Kazakhstan. H.R. 3611 (introduced May 23 by Rep. Panetta, D-Calif.) would authorize the extension of normal trade relations treatment to the products of Kazakhstan.

Cosmetics. Rep. Schakowsky, D-Ill., introduced May 24 (1) the Toxic-Free Beauty Act (H.R. 3619), which would ban 11 of the most toxic chemicals (including mercury, formaldehyde, parabens, phthalates, and phenylenediamines) in cosmetic products, and (2) the Cosmetic Supply Chain Transparency Act (H.R. 3622), which would require suppliers of raw materials, ingredients, and private-label products to provide full ingredient disclosure and safety data to cosmetic companies.

Supply chains. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted May 24 to approve H.R. 3365, which would direct the Department of Transportation to give priority consideration for certain DOT grant programs to eligible projects that improve or build resiliency in the supply chain.

Copyright © 2023 Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.; WorldTrade Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved.

Since 1977, we have set the standard for international trade lawyers and consultants, providing comprehensive and effective customs, import and export services to clients worldwide.