Argentina Files Trade Disputes On 3 September and 30 August 2012 Argentina notified the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Secretariat of a request for consultations with the United States of America on measures applied by the USA to (i) imports of fresh lemons from Argentina, and (ii) imports of Argentinean meat and other products of animal origin. CIPC Office Closure In a Government Gazette dated 03 September 2012 the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) gave notice in terms of and for purposes of the Trade Marks Act, Patents Act, Design Act, Copyright Act, Companies Act, Close Corporations Act, Co-Operatives Act, and Registration of Copyright in Cinematograph Film Act, the CIPC will be closed to the public from Monday, 24 December 2012, to Tuesday, 01 January 2013. The CIPC will also be closed to the public from 14:30 on the following Fridays, 21 September 2012, 26 October 2012, 23 November 2012, and 07 December 2012. On 30 November 2012 the lodgement of documents will be accepted until 11:00. On 21 December 2012 the lodgement of documents will be accepted until 15:30. The days from 24 December 2012 to 01 January 2013 will be regarded as dies non for the purposes of the stated Acts. With regard to name reservations, all reserved names that would have lapsed between 21 December 2012 and 2 January 2013, would now have their reservation dates moved forward to 2 January 2013 and only lapse on that date. National Nuclear Regulator – Oral Hearings In a Government Gazette dated 31 August 2012 the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) gave notice of public hearings relating to the Nuclear Installation Licence Application received from the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) for the Proposed Necsa Smelter Project. Persons wishing to make written comments should do so by no later than 10 October 2012. Persons wishing to make oral presentation at the public hearing must register with the NNR as an intervener and provide details of the oral submissions to be made by 30 September 2012. The NNR will inform registered interveners of the confirmed time for their oral presentation during the hearing by no later than 5 October 2012. Duty Call’s Watch List Comment due by 14 September 2012: Proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on laminated safety glass of size and shape suitable for incorporation in vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft or vessels. Creation of a rebate of the rate of customs duty on sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) in solid, for use in the manufacture of sodium metasilicates. Creation of a rebate of the rate of customs duty on petroleum bitumen for the rebate of the full rate of customs duty. Proposed increase in the “General” rate of customs duty on conical steel drums with a capacity of 235 litres or more, and creation of an additional 8-digit tariff subheading for “conical steel drums with capacity of 235 litres or more”. Comments due by 5 October 2012 in respect of “Guidelines Regarding Applications for Permits in terms of the Provision of Rebate Item 311.18/63.09/01.04 of Schedule No.3 to the Customs and Excise Act”.
