[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 2, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39419-39420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18996]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation 332-364]
Certain Miscellaneous Products: Probable Effect of Certain
Modifications to the North American Free Trade Agreement Rules of
Origin
AGENCY: International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: July 24, 1995.
SUMMARY: Following receipt on July 17, 1995, of a request from the
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted
investigation No. 332-364, Certain Miscellaneous Products: Probable
Effect of Certain Modifications to the North American Free Trade
Agreement Rules of Origin, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of
1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information may be obtained from David
Lundy, Office of Industries (202-205-3439) or Donita Marakovits, Office
of Industries (202-205-3430); and on legal aspects, from William
Gearhart, Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091). The media
should contact Margaret O'Laughlin, Office of Public Affairs (202-205-
1819). Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on
this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD terminal (202-205-
1810).
BACKGROUND: Chapter 4 and Annex 401 of the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA), which entered into force on January 1, 1994, contain
the rules of origin for application of the tariff provisions of the
NAFTA to trade in goods.
Section 202(q) of the North American Free Trade Agreement
Implementation Act (the Act) authorizes the President, subject to the
consultation and layover requirements of section 103 of the Act, to
proclaim such modifications to the rules as may from time to time be
agreed to by the NAFTA countries. One of the requirements set out in
section 103 of the Act is that the President obtain advice, regarding
any proposed modification in the Rules contained in Annex 401 of the
Act, from the United States International Trade Commission.
In its report the Commission will, as requested by the USTR in his
letter received on July 17, 1995, provide advice on the probable effect
of the proposed modifications to the rules of origin that are attached
to the letter. As requested, the Commission will provide such advice by
September 15, 1995. Copies of the proposed revised rules, which cover
certain goods described in Chapters 1 through 97 of the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States, will be available from the Office
of the Secretary at the Commission or from the Commission's Internet
server (http://www.usitc.gov or ftp://ftp.usitc.gov).
In a previous request dated May 5, 1995, the USTR requested the
Commission to provide advice on the probable effect of modifications to
the NAFTA rules of origin pertaining to certain chemicals and chemical
products. In response, the Commission instituted investigation No. 332-
363, Chemicals and Chemical Products: Probable Effect of Certain
Modifications to North American Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin
Pertaining to Such Products; the Commission's report on that
investigation will be provided to the USTR by September 5, 1995.
PUBLIC HEARING: A public hearing in connection with the investigation
will be held at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E
Street SW., Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on August 16, 1995.
All persons shall
[[Page 39420]]
have the right to appear, by counsel or in person, to present
information and to be heard. Requests to appear at the public hearing
should be filed with the Secretary, United States International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15
p.m. on August 7, 1995. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies)
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., August 9, 1995; the deadline
for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., August 21,
1995. In the event that, as of the close of business on August 7, 1995,
no witnesses are scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing will
be canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an
observer or non-participant may call the Secretary to the Commission
(202-205-2000) after August 7, 1995, to determine whether the hearing
will be held.
WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS: In lieu of or in addition to participating in the
hearing, interested parties are invited to submit written statements
(original and 14 copies) concerning the matters to be addressed by the
Commission in its report on this investigation. Commercial or financial
information that a submitter desires the Commission to treat as
confidential must be submitted on separate sheets of paper, each
clearly marked ``Confidential Business Information'' at the top. All
submissions requesting confidential treatment must conform with the
requirements of section Sec. 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of
Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). All written submissions, except
for confidential business information, will be made available in the
Office of the Secretary of the Commission for inspection by interested
parties. To be assured of consideration by the Commission, written
statements relating to the Commission's report should be submitted to
the Commission at the earliest practical date and should be received no
later than the close of business on August 21, 1995. All submissions
should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436.
Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance
in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the
Secretary at 202-205-2000.
Issued: July 25, 1995.
By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-18996 Filed 8-1-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P