Powering Performance

After four decades in law enforcement, Commissioner Chris Magnus maintains an enthusiasm for learning new things from other people. CBP photo by Glenn Fawcett. Graphic by Janice Swan-Jones

Sitting down with U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Chris Magnus to discuss his first 100 days at the helm of the nation’s largest federal law enforcement agency, the conversation quickly focused on the importance of working with people to get things done. “Everything I feel has been a successful accomplishment has been the result of a team that I’ve been part of.”

Signed into law by President Biden in December 2021, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA, or “the Act”) establishes a rebuttable presumption that all goods manufactured (in whole or in part) in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) are the product of forced labor, and not permitted entry into the United States. This rebuttable presumption will go into effect on June 21, 2022.

As one of the industries most substantially impacted by dramatic rule changes when USMCA replaced NAFTA in July 2020, many automotive companies are still working to gain a full understanding of the trade agreement’s new and enhanced requirements.

Developed jointly by AIAG and Odette, the revised M-17 publication contains operational guidelines for the development of an Automotive Supply Chain Management Agreement (ASCMA) to be used between parties in the global automotive industry.

Mike Sturgeon, executive director of ECG – The Association of European Vehicle Logistics, says that the combination of the ongoing war in Ukraine — coupled with the semi-conductor and other part shortages, exploding fuel prices, and inflation — are bringing automotive production to a stop in many places around the world.

AIAG recently participated in the Mexico Supplier Day in Puebla, Mexico, giving a presentation on AIAG’s Supply Chain Security Program, which addresses not only CTPAT, but also Mexico’s OEA program and others. Hosted by CANACINTRA Puebla y CLAUZ Automotriz Puebla on March 24, 2022, the event brings together OEMs and auto parts suppliers as well as representatives from the metalworking and plastic sectors. The purpose is to generate collaborations and networking opportunities between the participating companies. 

As our industry continues to evolve and expand, it’s become more critical than ever for companies to establish comprehensive human rights due diligence. Along with a growing, global demand to uncover all human rights abuses within the supply chain, recent and emerging legislation in both the U.S. and EU has also increased – further emphasizing the necessity of identifying and addressing these violations.

On 10 August 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Proposed Revision to the 2023 and Later Model Year Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking functions as a revision to the regulations for the model years (MY) 2023-2026, which the Trump Administration’s Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicle Rules established for Model Years 2021-2026. As with the previous rulemaking, the EPA welcomed comments from relevant industries and organizations. The comment period for the Proposed Rule lasted until 27 September 2021 and included a virtual public hearing held on 25 August 2021. The EPA is expected to announce a final rule by the end of 2021.

A new free trade agreement (FTA) between the United Kingdom and Australia should come into effect this year after both nations committed to passing the necessary legislation.

The deal was signed on December 16th 2021 following an agreement in principle having been made in June, marking Britain's first from scratch since its departure from the European Union.

Ready to see what’s on our training schedule for April? Check out the following list for a comprehensive look at what’s coming soon – and be sure to click the course links to learn more!