Committee meetings are available to the public through the videoconference link above. Any interested member of the public may listen to the meeting. An open comment period will be provided to allow members of the public to make a statement as time allows. Per the Federal Advisory Committee Act, public minutes of the meeting will include a list of persons who are present at the meeting. If joining via phone, callers can expect to incur regular charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, according to their wireless plan. The Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Closed captioning will be available for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have certain cognitive or learning impairments. To request additional accommodations, please email Angelica Trevino, Support Services Specialist, atrevino@usccr.gov at least 10 business days prior to the meeting.

Members of the public are entitled to make comments during the open period at the end of the meeting. Members of the public may also submit written comments; the comments must be received in the Regional Programs Unit within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments can be sent via email to Brooke Peery (DFO) at bpeery@usccr.gov.

Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Coordination Unit Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Records of the meetings will be available via www.facadatabase.gov under the Commission on Civil Rights, Texas Advisory Committee link. Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission's website, https://www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Coordination Unit at atrevino@usccr.gov.

Committee meetings are available to the public through the videoconference link above. Any interested member of the public may listen to the meeting. An open comment period will be provided to allow members of the public to make a statement as time allows. Per the Federal Advisory Committee Act, public minutes of the meeting will include a list of persons who are present at the meeting. If joining via phone, callers can expect to incur regular charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, according to their wireless plan. The Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Closed captioning will be available for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have certain cognitive or learning impairments. To request additional accommodations, please email Angelica Trevino, Support Services Specialist, atrevino@usccr.gov at least 10 business days prior to the meeting.

Members of the public are entitled to make comments during the open period at the end of the meeting. Members of the public may also submit written comments; the comments must be received in the Regional Programs Unit within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments can be sent via email to Brooke Peery (DFO) at bpeery@usccr.gov .

Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Coordination Unit Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Records of the meetings will be available via www.facadatabase.gov under the Commission on Civil Rights, Texas Advisory Committee link. Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission's website, http://www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Coordination Unit at atrevino@usccr.gov .

On July 1, 2024, Commerce published the Preliminary Determination in the Federal Register and invited interested parties to comment. 1 On July 22, 2024, Commerce tolled certain deadlines in this administrative proceeding by seven days. 2 The deadline for the final determination is now January 21, 2025.

A summary of the events that occurred since Commerce published the Preliminary Determination, as well as a full discussion of the issues raised by parties for this final determination, may be found in the Issues and Decision Memorandum. 3 The Issues and Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at http://access.trade.gov. In addition, a complete version of the Issues and Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at https://access.trade.gov/public/FRNoticesListLayout.aspx.

The products covered by this investigation are paper plates from Vietnam. For a complete description of the scope of this investigation, see Appendix I.

We received no comments from interested parties on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in the Preliminary Determination. Therefore, we made no changes to the scope of the investigation.

The subsidy programs under investigation, and the issues raised in the case and rebuttal briefs that were submitted by parties in this investigation, are discussed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum. For a list of the issues raised by interested parties in the Issues and Decision Memorandum, see Appendix II.

Commerce conducted this investigation in accordance with section 701 of the Tariff Act of 1920, as amended (the Act). For each of the subsidy programs found to be countervailable, Commerce determines that there is a subsidy, i.e., a financial contribution by an “authority” that gives rise to a benefit to the recipient, and that the subsidy is specific. 4 For a full description of the methodology underlying our final determination, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

In making this final determination, Commerce relied, in part, on facts otherwise available, including adverse facts available (AFA), pursuant to sections 776(a) and (b) of the Act. For a full discussion of our application of AFA, see the Preliminary Determination, section “Use of Facts Available and Adverse Inferences” in the accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum. 5

As provided in section 782(i) of the Act, between July 15 through July 19, 2024, Commerce conducted verification of the subsidy information reported by Go-Pak Paper Products Vietnam Limited (Go-Pak). 6 We used standard verification procedures, including an examination of relevant accounting records and original source documents provided by Go-Pak.

In accordance with sections 703(e)(1) and 776(a) and 776(b) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.206, Commerce continues to find that critical circumstances exist with respect to imports of paper plates from Vietnam for Xie Li Vietnam International Company Limited (Xie Li), the non-responsive companies, 7 and all other producers and exporters. In addition, we continue to find that critical circumstances do not exist with respect to imports of paper plates from Go-Pak. For a full description of the methodology and results of Commerce's critical circumstances analysis, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

Based on our analysis of the information received during verification, for this final determination, we made certain changes to the countervailable subsidy rate calculations for Go-Pak and for all other producers/exporters. For a discussion of these changes, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

Pursuant to section 705(c)(5)(A)(i) of the Act, Commerce will determine an all-others rate equal to the weighted average countervailable subsidy rates established for those exporters and/or producers individually investigated, excluding any zero and de minimis countervailable subsidy rates and any rates based entirely under section 776 of the Act. In this investigation, Commerce calculated an individual estimated countervailable subsidy rate for Go-Pak that is not zero, de minimis, or based entirely under section 776 of the Act. Because the individual estimated countervailable subsidy rate for Xie Li and the four non-responsive companies is based entirely upon section 776 of the Act, Commerce is using the individual estimated subsidy rate calculated for Go-Pak as the all-others rate.

Commerce determines that the following estimated countervailable subsidy rates exist for the period January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023:

Commerce intends to disclose its calculations and analysis performed in connection with this final determination within five days of its public announcement, or if there is no public announcement, within five days of the date of publication of this notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).

As a result of our Preliminary Determination, and pursuant to sections 703(d)(1)(B) and (d)(2) of the Act, we instructed U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise from Vietnam that were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after July 1, 2024, the date of publication of the Preliminary Determination in the Federal Register for entries produced and/or exported by Go-Pak. Because we preliminarily determined that critical circumstances existed with respect to Xie Li, the four non-responsive companies, and all other producers and/or exporters, we instructed CBP to suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise from Vietnam that were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption, on or after April 2, 2024, which is 90 days prior to the date of the publication of the Preliminary Determination in the Federal Register . In accordance with section 703(d) of the Act, we instructed CBP to discontinue the suspension of liquidation of all entries of subject merchandise entered or withdrawn from warehouse, on or after, October 29, 2024, but to continue the suspension of liquidation of all entries of subject merchandise that were subject to suspension of liquidation between April 2, 2024, and October 28, 2024.

If the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issues a final affirmative injury determination, we will issue a countervailing duty order, reinstate the suspension of liquidation under section 706(a) of the Act, and require a cash deposit of estimated countervailing duties for such entries of subject merchandise. If the ITC determines that material injury, or threat of material injury, does not exist, this proceeding will be terminated, and all estimated duties deposited or securities posted as a result of the suspension of liquidation will be refunded or cancelled.

In accordance with section 705(d) of the Act, we will notify the ITC of our final affirmative determination that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of paper plates from Vietnam. Because the final determination is affirmative, in accordance with section 705(b) of the Act, the ITC will make its final determination as to whether the domestic industry in the United States is materially injured, or threatened with material injury, by reason of imports of paper plates from Vietnam no later than 45 days after our final determination. In addition, we are making available to the ITC all non-privileged and nonproprietary information related to this investigation. We will allow the ITC access to all privileged and business proprietary information in our files, provided the ITC confirms that it will not disclose such information, either publicly or under an administrative protective order (APO), without the written consent of the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. If the ITC determines that material injury or threat of material injury does not exist, this proceeding will be terminated and all cash deposits will be refunded.

If the ITC determines that such injury does exist, Commerce will issue a countervailing duty order directing CBP to assess, upon further instruction by Commerce, countervailing duties on all imports of the subject merchandise that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the effective date of the suspension of liquidation, as discussed above in the “Continuation of Suspension of Liquidation” section.

In the event that the ITC issues a final negative injury determination, this notice will serve as the only reminder to parties subject to an APO of their responsibility concerning the destruction of proprietary information disclosed under APO, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely written notification of the return/destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a violation which is subject to sanction.

This determination is issued and published pursuant to sections 705(d) and 777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.210(c).

On September 25, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated less-than-fair-value (LTFV) investigations of imports of certain corrosion-resistant steel products (CORE) from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, Taiwan, Türkiye, the UAE, and Vietnam. 1 Currently, the preliminary determinations are due no later than February 12, 2025.

Section 733(b)(1)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), requires Commerce to issue the preliminary determination in a LTFV investigation within 140 days after the date on which Commerce initiated the investigation. However, section 733(c)(1)(A)(b)(1) of the Act permits Commerce to postpone the preliminary determination until no later than 190 days after the date on which Commerce initiated the investigation if: (A) the petitioner makes a timely request for a postponement; or (B) Commerce concludes that the parties concerned are cooperating, that the investigation is extraordinarily complicated, and that additional time is necessary to make a preliminary determination. Under 19 CFR 351.205(e), the petitioner must submit a request for postponement 25 days or more before the scheduled date of the preliminary determination and must state the reasons for the request. Commerce will grant the request unless it finds compelling reasons to deny the request.

On January 10, 2025, the petitioners  2 submitted timely requests that Commerce postpone the preliminary determinations in the LTFV investigations of CORE from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, Taiwan, Türkiye, the UAE, and Vietnam. 3 The petitioners stated, “{p}ostponement of the preliminary determinations is necessary and appropriate given the size and complexity of these investigations, the number of participating respondents, and the numerous extensions of time received by respondents to submit responses to Commerce's initial questionnaire,” and that the postponement “will allow Commerce adequate time to issue supplemental questionnaires and develop a comprehensive record in these investigations.”  4

For the reasons stated above, and because there are no compelling reasons to deny the request, in accordance with section 733(c)(1)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(e), Commerce is postponing the deadline for the preliminary determinations by 50 days ( i.e., to 190 days after the date on which these investigations were initiated). As a result, Commerce will issue its preliminary determinations in the above-referenced investigations no later than April 3, 2025. In accordance with section 735(a)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(1), the deadline for the final determinations of these investigations will continue to be 75 days after the date of the preliminary determinations, unless postponed at a later date.

This notice is issued and published pursuant to section 733(c)(2) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(f)(1).

On September 5, 2024, Commerce published in the Federal Register its preliminary affirmative determination in the LTFV investigation of paper plates from Thailand and invited interested parties to comment. 1 For a complete description of the events that followed the Preliminary Determination, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum. 2

The Issues and Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at https://access.trade.gov. In addition, a complete version of the Issues and Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at https://access.trade.gov/public/FRNoticesListLayout.aspx.

The products covered by this investigation are paper plates from Thailand. For a complete description of the scope of this investigation, see Appendix I.

We received no comments from interested parties on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in the Preliminary Determination. Therefore, we made no changes to the scope of the investigation.

Commerce verified the sales and cost information submitted by Thai Paper Co., Ltd. (Thai Paper) for use in our final determination, consistent with section 782(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). 3 We used standard verification procedures, including an examination of relevant sales and accounting records, and original source documents provided by Thai Paper.

All issues raised in the case and rebuttal briefs submitted by interested parties in this investigation are addressed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum. A list of the issues addressed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum is attached to this notice as Appendix II.

Commerce preliminarily determined, in accordance with section 733(e)(1) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.206(c)(1), that critical circumstances exist with respect to imports of paper plates from Thailand for the seven companies  4 that were non-responsive to our quantity and value (Q&V) questionnaire. For the final determination, pursuant to section 735(a)(3)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.206, we continue to find that critical circumstances exist for these seven companies. Further, we continue to find that critical circumstances do not exist with regard to Thai Paper, the companies that responded to the Q&V questionnaire ( i.e., Nirvana Foods & Commerce International Co., Ltd. (Nirvana); Pandora Production Co (Pandora); and SNC Cup Co., Ltd. (SNC Cup)), and all others.

As discussed in the Preliminary Determination, Commerce assigned dumping margins on the basis of AFA, pursuant to sections 776(a) and (b) of the Act, to the seven companies that were non-responsive to the Q&V questionnaire. 5 For this final determination, we continue to find that the application of AFA, pursuant to sections 776(a) and (b) of the Act, is warranted with respect to the seven non-responsive companies.

We made changes since the Preliminary Determination to use Thai Paper's corrected and verified sales databases. For a discussion of these changes, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

Section 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act provides that the estimated weighted-average dumping margin for all other producers and exporters not individually investigated shall be equal to the weighted average of the estimated weighted-average dumping margins established for individually investigated exporters and producers, excluding rates that are zero, de minimis, or determined entirely under section 776 of the Act, i.e., facts otherwise available.

For the final determination of this investigation, Thai Paper was the only individually examined exporter/producer for which Commerce calculated an individual estimated weighted average dumping margin. Because Thai Paper's dumping margin is the only individually calculated dumping margin that is not zero, de minimis, or based entirely on facts otherwise available, the estimated weighted-average dumping margin calculated for Thai Paper is the margin assigned to all other producers and exporters and the non-selected respondents, Nirvana, Pandora, and SNC Cup. 6

Commerce determines that the following estimated weighted-average dumping margins exist:

Commerce intends to disclose the calculations performed in connection with this final determination to interested parties within five days of any public announcement or, if there is no public announcement, within five days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register , in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).

In accordance with section 735(c)(1)(B) of the Act, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to continue to suspend liquidation of all appropriate entries of subject merchandise, as described in Appendix II of this notice, which were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after September 5, 2024, the date of publication of the Preliminary Determination in the Federal Register .

Section 733(e)(2) of the Act provides that, given an affirmative determination of critical circumstances, any suspension of liquidation shall apply to unliquidated entries of subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the later of: (a) the date which is 90 days before the date on which the suspension of liquidation was first ordered; or (b) the date on which notice of initiation of the investigation was published. Commerce finds that critical circumstances exist for imports of subject merchandise produced or exported by the seven non-responsive companies. In accordance with section 733(e)(2)(A) of the Act, the suspension of liquidation shall apply to unliquidated entries of shipments of subject merchandise produced or exported by the seven non-responsive companies that were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after June 7, 2024, which is 90 days before the publication of the Preliminary Determination. These suspension of liquidation instructions will remain in effect until further notice.

Pursuant to section 735(c)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(d), where appropriate, Commerce will instruct CBP to require a cash deposit equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin or the estimated all-others rate, as follows: (1) the cash deposit rate for the companies listed above that exported the subject merchandise will be equal to the company-specific estimated weighted-average dumping margin determined in this final determination; (2) if the exporter is not a company identified above but the producer is, then the cash deposit rate will be equal to the company-specific estimated weighted-average dumping margin established for that producer of the subject merchandise; and (3) the cash deposit rate for all other producers and exporters will be equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin for all other producers and exporters.

In accordance with section 735(d) of the Act, Commerce will notify the ITC of its final affirmative determination of sales at LTFV. Because Commerce's final determination is affirmative, in accordance with section 735(b)(2) of the Act, the ITC will make its final determination as to whether the domestic industry in the United States is materially injured, or threatened with material injury, by reason of imports or sales (or the likelihood of sales) for importation of paper plates no later than 45 days after this final determination. If the ITC determines that such injury does not exist, this proceeding will be terminated, all cash deposits posted will be refunded, and suspension of liquidation will be lifted. If the ITC determines that such injury does exist, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order directing CBP to assess, upon further instruction by Commerce, antidumping duties on all imports of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the effective date of the suspension of liquidation, as discussed in the “Continuation of Suspension of Liquidation” section above.

This notice serves as the only reminder to parties subject to an APO of their responsibility concerning the disposition of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely written notification of the return or destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a sanctionable violation.

This final determination and notice are issued and published in accordance with sections 735(d) and 777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.210(c).

On September 5, 2024, Commerce published in the Federal Register its preliminary affirmative determination in the LTFV investigation of paper plates from Vietnam and invited interested parties to comment. 1 For a complete description of the events that followed the Preliminary Determination, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum. 2

The Issues and Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at https://access.trade.gov . In addition, a complete version of the Issues and Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at https://access.trade.gov/public/FRNoticesListLayout.aspx .

The products covered by this investigation are paper plates from Vietnam. For a complete description of the scope of this investigation, see Appendix I.

We received no comments from interested parties on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in the Preliminary Determination . Therefore, we made no changes to the scope of the investigation.

Commerce verified sales and factors of production information submitted by Go-Pak Paper Products Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Go-Pak Vietnam) for use in our final determination, consistent with section 782(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). 3 We used standard verification procedures, including an examination of relevant sales and accounting records, and original source documents provided by Go-Pak Vietnam.

The issues raised in the case and rebuttal briefs by the parties in this investigation are discussed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum. A list of the issues raised addressed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum is attached to this notice as Appendix II.

Commerce preliminarily determined, in accordance with section 733(e)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), and 19 CFR 351.206(c)(1), that critical circumstances exist with respect to imports of paper plates for the Vietnam-wide entity but not for Go-Pak Vietnam. 4 Further, for the final determination, pursuant to section 735(a)(3)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.206, we continue to find that critical circumstances exist for the Vietnam-wide entity and that critical circumstances do not exist for Go-Pak Vietnam. 5

Based on our review and analysis of the information at verification and comments received from interested parties, we made certain changes to the calculation of Go-Pak Vietnam's estimated weighted-average dumping margin. For a discussion of these changes, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

Consistent with the Preliminary Determination, 6 Commerce continues to find, pursuant to sections 776(a) and (b) of the Act, that the use of facts otherwise available, with adverse inferences, is warranted in determining the dumping rate for the Vietnam-wide entity. For this final determination there is no new information on the record that would cause us to revisit our decision in the preliminary determination. Therefore, as adverse facts available (AFA), we have continued to assign a rate of 165.27 percent, which is the highest dumping margin alleged in the petition, to the Vietnam-wide entity. 7

No interested party commented on Commerce's preliminary separate rate determination  8 and we have no basis to reconsider this determination. Accordingly, we continue to find that Go-Pak Vietnam is the sole respondent eligible for a separate rate.

Consistent with the Preliminary Determination, and Policy Bulletin 05.1, 9 Commerce calculated a producer/exporter combination rate for Go-Pak Vietnam, i.e., the sole respondent eligible for a separate rate.

Commerce determines that the following estimated weighted-average dumping margins exist:

Commerce intends to disclose the calculations performed in this final determination to interested parties within five days of any public announcement or, if there is no public announcement, within five days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).

In accordance with section 735(c)(1)(B) and (C) of the Act, we will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend liquidation of all appropriate entries of subject merchandise, as described in Appendix I of this notice, which were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register for Go-Pak Vietnam.

Section 733(e)(2) of the Act provides that, given an affirmative determination of critical circumstances, any suspension of liquidation shall apply to unliquidated entries of subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the later of: (a) the date which is 90 days before the date on which the suspension of liquidation was first ordered; or (b) the date on which notice of initiation of the investigation was published. Commerce finds that critical circumstances exist for imports of subject merchandise produced or exported by the Vietnam-wide entity. In accordance with section 733(e)(2)(A) of the Act, the suspension of liquidation shall apply to unliquidated entries of shipments of subject merchandise from the producer(s) or exporter(s) identified in this paragraph that were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after June 7, 2024, which is 90 days before the publication of the Preliminary Determination. These suspension of liquidation instructions will remain in effect until further notice.

Pursuant to section 735(c)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(d), upon the publication of this notice, Commerce will instruct CBP to require a cash deposit for estimated antidumping duties for appropriate entries.

Commerce will instruct CBP to require the following cash deposits of estimated antidumping duties for all appropriate entries: (1) for the producer/exporter combinations listed in the table above, the applicable cash deposit rate is listed in the table for that combination; (2) for all combinations of Vietnamese producers/exporters of the merchandise under consideration that have not established eligibility for a separate rates, the cash deposit rate will be equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin established for the Vietnam-wide entity; and (3) for all third-country exporters of the merchandise under consideration not listed in the table above, the cash deposit rate is the cash deposit rate applicable to the Vietnamese producer/exporter combination that supplied that third-country exporter or, if the exporter/producer combination does not have its own rate, the cash deposit rate will be the Vietnam-wide rate. These suspension of liquidation instructions will remain in effect until further notice.

In accordance with section 735(d) of the Act, we will notify the ITC of this final affirmative determination of sales at LTFV. Because Commerce's final determination in this investigation is affirmative, in accordance with section 735(b)(2) of the Act, the ITC will make its final determination as to whether the domestic industry in the United States is materially injured, or threatened with material injury, by reason of imports of paper plates no later than 45 days after this final determination. If the ITC determines that material injury or threat of material injury does not exist, the proceeding will be terminated and all cash deposits will be refunded or canceled, and suspension of liquidation will be lifted. If the ITC determines that such injury does exist, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order directing CBP to assess, upon further instructions by Commerce, antidumping duties on all imports of the subject merchandise that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the effective date of the suspension of liquidation, as discussed above in the “Continuation of Suspension of Liquidation” section.

This notice serves as the only reminder to parties subject to an administrative protective order (APO) of their responsibility concerning the disposition of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely written notification of the return or destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a sanctionable violation.

This determination and this notice are issued and published pursuant to sections 735(d) and 777(i)(1) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.210(c).

Background

On November 18, 2024, Commerce published in the Federal Register notice of the preliminary determination in the CVD investigation of vanillin from China. 1 In that notice, Commerce incorrectly identified the name of the mandatory respondent in the investigation as Jiaxing Guihua Chemical Import and Export Co., Ltd. The correct name of the mandatory respondent is Jiaxing Guihua Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd.

In the Federal Register of November 18, 2024, in FR Doc 2024-26770, at 89 FR 90672, correct the text and the table in the second column of the page, by replacing “Jiaxing Guihua Chemical Import and Export Co., Ltd.” with “Jiaxing Guihua Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd.”

This notice is issued and published in accordance with sections 703(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, and 19 CFR 351.224(e).

On December 31, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) received a countervailing duty (CVD) petition concerning imports of slag pots from the People's Republic of China (China) filed in proper form on behalf of WHEMCO-Steel Castings, Inc. (the petitioner), a U.S. producer of slag pots. 1 The CVD Petition was accompanied by an antidumping duty (AD) petition concerning imports of slag pots from China. 2

On September 5, 2024, Commerce published the Preliminary Determination in the Federal Register and invited interested parties to comment. 1 For a complete description of the events that followed the Preliminary Determination, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum. 2

The Issues and Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at http://access.trade.gov. In addition, a complete version of the Issues and Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at https://access.trade.gov/public/FRNoticesListLayout.aspx.

The products covered by this investigation are paper plates from China. For a complete description of the scope of this investigation, see Appendix I.

We received no comments from interested parties on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in the Preliminary Determination. Therefore, we made no changes to the scope of the investigation.

As provided in section 782(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), between November 12 and 24, 2024, Commerce conducted verification of the sales and factors of production information submitted by Fuzhou Hengli Paper Co., Ltd. (Fuzhou Hengli) and Jinhua P&P Product Co., Ltd (Jinhua). 3 We used standard verification procedures, including an examination of relevant accounting records and original source documents provided by Fuzhou Hengli and Jinhua.

The issues raised in the case and rebuttal briefs by the parties in this investigation are discussed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum. For a list of the issues raised by interested parties and addressed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum, see Appendix II.

In accordance with section 735(a)(3)(B) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.206(h), Commerce finds for the final determination that critical circumstances exist with respect to imports of paper plates for the non-selected companies eligible for a separate rate  4 and continues to find that critical circumstances exist with respect to the China-wide entity. 5 We find for the final determination that critical circumstances exist with respect to Fuzhou Hengli and its unaffiliated producers, but that critical circumstances do not exist for Jinhua. 6 For a full description of the methodology and the results of Commerce's critical circumstances analysis, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

Based on our review and analysis of the information received during verification and comments received from interested parties for this final determination, we made certain changes to the estimated weighted-average dumping margins for Fuzhou Hengli and Jinhua. For a discussion of these changes, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

Consistent with the Preliminary Determination, 7 Commerce continues to find, pursuant to sections 776(a) and (b) of the Act, that the use of facts otherwise available, with adverse inferences, is warranted in determining the dumping rate for the China-wide entity. In addition, for this final determination, we are also assigning a rate based on AFA to Fuzhou Hengli. We are assigning a rate of 515.40 percent, which is the highest calculated individual dumping margin of any respondent in the investigation, to the China-wide entity and Fuzhou Hengli. 8

No interested party commented on Commerce's preliminary separate rate determinations  9 and we have no basis to reconsider those determinations. Accordingly, we continue to find that Fuzhou Hengli, Jinhua, and certain non-individually examined companies that are listed in the rate table below, are eligible for a separate rate.

Consistent with the Preliminary Determination, and Policy Bulletin 05.1, 10 Commerce calculated combination rates for the respondents that are eligible for a separate rate.

Commerce determines that the following estimated weighted-average dumping margins exist for the period July 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023:

Commerce intends to disclose the calculations performed in connection with this final determination within five days of any public announcement or, if there is no public announcement, within five days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).

In accordance with section 735(c)(1)(B) of the Act, we will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to start or continue to suspend liquidation of all appropriate entries of subject merchandise, as described in Appendix I of this notice, which were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption as described below.

Section 733(e)(2) of the Act provides that, given an affirmative determination of critical circumstances, any suspension of liquidation shall apply to unliquidated entries of subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the later of: (a) the date which is 90 days before the date on which the suspension of liquidation was first ordered; or (b) the date on which notice of initiation of the investigation was published. Commerce continues to find that critical circumstances exist for imports of subject merchandise produced or exported by the non-selected separate rate companies and the China-wide entity. In accordance with section 733(e)(2)(A) of the Act, the suspension of liquidation shall apply to unliquidated entries of shipments of subject merchandise from the non-selected separate rate companies and the China-wide entity that were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after June 7, 2024, which is 90 days before the publication of the Preliminary Determination. Provisional measures were not imposed for Fuzhou Hengli following the preliminary determination because of Commerce's preliminary negative determination with respect to it. However, Commerce's final affirmative critical circumstances determination now applies to Fuzhou Hengli as a result of the final affirmative determination of critical circumstances with respect to it. Accordingly, pursuant to section 735(c)(4)(C) of the Act, Commerce will instruct CBP to suspend liquidation of all appropriate entries from Fuzhou Hengli, which were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after 90-days prior to the date of publication of this final determination in the Federal Register . For Jinhua, because Commerce has made a negative final determination with regard to critical circumstances, Commerce will instruct CBP to continue to suspend liquidation of all appropriate entries which were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after September 5, 2024, the date of publication in the Federal Register of the Preliminary Determination and, in accordance with section 735(c)(3) of the Act, Commerce will instruct CBP to terminate any retroactive suspension of liquidation required under section 733(e)(2) of the Act, and release any bond or other security, and refund any cash deposit required, under section 733(d)(1)(B) of the Act, with respect to entries of the merchandise the liquidation of which was suspended retroactively under section 733(e)(2) of the Act before September 5, 2024.

Pursuant to section 735(c)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(d), upon the publication of this notice, Commerce will instruct CBP to require a cash deposit for estimated antidumping duties for appropriate entries.

Commerce will instruct CBP to require the following cash deposits of estimated antidumping duties for all appropriate entries: (1) for the producer/exporter combinations listed in the table above, the applicable cash deposit rate is listed in the table for that combination; (2) for all combinations of Chinese producers/exporters of the merchandise under consideration that have not established eligibility for a separate rate, the cash deposit rate will be equal to the cash deposit rate listed for the China-wide entity in the table above; and (3) for all third-country exporters of the merchandise under consideration that are not listed in the table above, the cash deposit rate is the cash deposit rate applicable to the Chinese producer/exporter combination or the China-wide entity that supplied that third-country exporter. These suspension of liquidation instructions will remain in effect until further notice.

In accordance with section 735(d) of the Act, we will notify the ITC of this final affirmative determination of sales at LTFV. Because the final determination in this investigation is affirmative, in accordance with section 735(b)(2) of the Act, the ITC will make its final determination as to whether the domestic industry in the United States is materially injured, or threatened with material injury, by reason of imports of paper plates no later than 45 days after this final determination. If the ITC determines that material injury or threat of material injury does not exist, the proceeding will be terminated and all cash deposits will be refunded or canceled, and suspension of liquidation will be lifted. If the ITC determines that such injury does exist, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order directing CBP to assess, upon further instructions by Commerce, antidumping duties on all imports of the subject merchandise that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the effective date of the suspension of liquidation, as discussed above in the “Continuation of Suspension of Liquidation” section.

This notice serves as the only reminder to parties subject to an APO of their responsibility concerning the disposition of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely written notification of the return or destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a sanctionable violation.

This determination and this notice are issued and published pursuant to sections 735(d) and 777(i)(1) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.210(c).

Title III of the Export Trading Company Act of 1982 (15 U.S.C. 4011-21) (the Act) authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to issue Export Trade Certificates of Review. An Export Trade Certificate of Review protects the holder and the members identified in the Certificate from State and Federal government antitrust actions and from private treble damage antitrust actions for the export conduct specified in the Certificate and carried out in compliance with its terms and conditions. The regulations implementing title III are found at 15 CFR part 325. OTEA is issuing this notice pursuant to 15 CFR 325.6(b), which requires the Secretary of Commerce to publish a summary of the certification in the Federal Register . Under Section 305(a) of the Act and 15 CFR 325.11(a), any person aggrieved by the Secretary's determination may, within 30 days of the date of this notice, bring an action in any appropriate district court of the United States to set aside the determination on the ground that the determination is erroneous.

NFE amended its Certificate as follows:

The effective date of the amended certificate is August 19, 2024, the date on which NFE's application to amend was deemed submitted.

On June 21, 2019, Commerce published in the Federal Register the AD and CVD orders on glycine from India, China, and Japan and subsequently published the AD order on glycine from Thailand on October 18, 2019. 1 On May 1, 2024, the ITC instituted, 2 and Commerce initiated, 3 the first sunset review of the Orders, pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). As a result of its reviews, Commerce determined that revocation of the Orders would likely lead to the continuation or recurrence of dumping, and countervailable subsidies, and therefore, notified the ITC of the magnitude of the margins of dumping and subsidy rates likely to prevail should the Orders be revoked. 4

On November 29, 2024, the ITC published its determination, pursuant to sections 751(c) and 752(a) of the Act, that revocation of the Orders would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States within a reasonably foreseeable time. 5

The merchandise covered by these Orders is glycine at any purity level or grade. This includes glycine of all purity levels, which covers all forms of crude or technical glycine including, but not limited to, sodium glycinate, glycine slurry and any other forms of amino acetic acid or glycine. Subject merchandise also includes glycine and precursors of dried crystalline glycine that are processed in a third country, including, but not limited to, refining or any other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of these Orders if performed in the country of manufacture of the in- scope glycine or precursors of dried crystalline glycine. Glycine has the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry number of 56-40-6.

Glycine and glycine slurry are classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading 2922.49.43.00. Sodium glycinate is classified in the HTSUS under 2922.49.80.00. While the HTSUS subheadings and CAS registry number are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of these Orders is dispositive.

As a result of the determinations by Commerce and the ITC that revocation of the Orders would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping, countervailable subsidies, and material injury to an industry in the United States, pursuant to section 751(d)(2) of the Act, Commerce hereby orders the continuation of the Orders. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will continue to collect AD and CVD cash deposits at the rates in effect at the time of entry for all imports of subject merchandise.

The effective date of the continuation of the Orders is November 29, 2024. 6 Pursuant to section 751(c)(2) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218(c)(2), Commerce intends to initiate the next five-year reviews of the Orders not later than 30 days prior to fifth anniversary of the date of the effective date of this continuation

This notice also serves as a final reminder to parties subject to an APO of their responsibility concerning the return or destruction of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3), which continues to govern business proprietary information in this segment of the proceeding. Timely written notification of the return or destruction of APO materials, or conversion to judicial protective order, is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a violation which is subject to sanction.

These five-year (sunset) reviews and this notice are in accordance with sections 751(c) and 751(d)(2) of the Act and this notice is published in accordance with section 777(i)(1) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.218(f)(4).

On December 31, 2024, Commerce published in the Federal Register the notice of court decision not in harmony with the final results and amended final results of the 2018-2019 administrative review of the AD order on tapered roller bearings and parts from China. 1 This notice incorrectly stated that “{w}ith respect to all the non-selected companies that do not have a superseding cash deposit rate revised cash deposit instructions will be issued by Commerce to CBP.” We provide the correction below.

In the Federal Register of December 31, 2024, in FR Doc 2024-31412, at 89 FR 107107, in the first and second columns, correct the text in the section entitled, “Cash Deposit Requirements” by replacing the last sentence in the section with the following sentence: “Because the non-selected companies have also received a superseding cash deposit rate in a subsequent administrative review, we will not issue revised cash deposit instructions to CBP. This notice will not affect the current cash deposit rate with respect to these companies.”

This notice is issued and published in accordance with sections 516A(e) and 777(i)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended.

The Petition

On December 31, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) received an antidumping duty (AD) petition concerning imports of slag pots from the People's Republic of China (China) filed in proper form on behalf of WHEMCO-Steel Casting, Inc. (the petitioner), a U.S. producer of slag pots. 1 The AD Petition was accompanied by a countervailing duty (CVD) petition concerning imports of slag pots from China. 2

On January 7 and 14, 2025, Commerce requested supplemental information pertaining to certain aspects of the Petition in supplemental questionnaires. 3 On January 13 and 16, 2025, the petitioner filed timely responses to these requests for additional information. 4

In accordance with section 732(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), the petitioner alleges that imports of slag pots from China are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV) within the meaning of section 731 of the Act, and that imports of such products are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, the slag pots industry in the United States. Consistent with section 732(b)(1) of the Act, the Petition was accompanied by information reasonably available to the petitioner supporting its allegations.

Commerce finds that the petitioner filed the Petition on behalf of the domestic industry, because the petitioner is an interested party, as defined in section 771(9)(C) of the Act. Commerce also finds that the petitioner demonstrated sufficient industry support for the initiation of the requested LTFV investigation. 5

Because the Petition was filed on December 31, 2024, and because China is a non-market economy (NME) country, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.204(b)(1), the period of investigation (POI) for the LTFV investigation is April 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024.

The products covered by this investigation are slag pots from China. For a full description of the scope of this investigation, see the appendix to this notice.

On January 7 and 14, 2025, Commerce requested information and clarification from the petitioner regarding the proposed scope to ensure that the scope language in the Petition is an accurate reflection of the products for which the domestic industry is seeking relief. 6 On January 13 and 16, 2025, the petitioner provided clarifications and revised the scope. 7 The description of merchandise covered by this investigation, as described in the appendix to this notice, reflects these clarifications.

As discussed in the Preamble to Commerce's regulations, we are setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues regarding product coverage ( i.e., scope). 8 Commerce will consider all scope comments received from interested parties and, if necessary, will consult with interested parties prior to the issuance of the preliminary determination. If scope comments include factual information, 9 all such factual information should be limited to public information. To facilitate preparation of its questionnaires, Commerce requests that scope comments be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on February 10, 2025, which 20 calendar days from the signature date of this notice. Any rebuttal comments, which may include factual information, and should also be limited to public information, must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on February 20, 2025, which is 10 calendar days from the initial comment deadline.

Commerce requests that any factual information that parties consider relevant to the scope of this investigation be submitted during that period. However, if a party subsequently finds that additional factual information pertaining to the scope of the investigation may be relevant, the party must contact Commerce and request permission to submit the additional information. All scope comments must be filed simultaneously on the records of the concurrent LTFV and CVD investigations.

All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS), unless an exception applies. 10 An electronically filed document must be received successfully in its entirety by the time and date it is due.

Commerce is providing interested parties an opportunity to comment on the appropriate physical characteristics of slag pots to be reported in response to Commerce's AD questionnaires. This information will be used to identify the key physical characteristics of the subject merchandise in order to report the relevant factors of production (FOP) accurately, as well as to develop appropriate product comparison criteria.

Interested parties may provide any information or comments that they feel are relevant to the development of an accurate list of physical characteristics. In order to consider the suggestions of interested parties in developing and issuing the AD questionnaires, all product characteristics comments must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on February 10, 2025, which is 20 calendar days from the signature date of this notice. Any rebuttal comments must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on February 20, 2025, which is 10 calendar days from the initial comment deadline. All comments and submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically using ACCESS, as explained above, on the record of the LTFV investigation.

Section 732(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on behalf of the domestic industry. Section 732(c)(4)(A) of the Act provides that a petition meets this requirement if the domestic producers or workers who support the petition account for: (i) at least 25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product; and (ii) more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the petition. Moreover, section 732(c)(4)(D) of the Act provides that, if the petition does not establish support of domestic producers or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of the total production of the domestic like product, Commerce shall: (i) poll the industry or rely on other information in order to determine if there is support for the petition, as required by subparagraph (A); or (ii) determine industry support using a statistically valid sampling method to poll the “industry.”

Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines the “industry” as the producers as a whole of a domestic like product. Thus, to determine whether a petition has the requisite industry support, the statute directs Commerce to look to producers and workers who produce the domestic like product. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), which is responsible for determining whether “the domestic industry” has been injured, must also determine what constitutes a domestic like product in order to define the industry. While both Commerce and the ITC apply the same statutory definition regarding the domestic like product, 11 they do so for different purposes and pursuant to a separate and distinct authority. In addition, Commerce's determination is subject to limitations of time and information. Although this may result in different definitions of the like product, such differences do not render the decision of either agency contrary to law. 12

Section 771(10) of the Act defines the domestic like product as “a product which is like, or in the absence of like, most similar in characteristics and uses with, the article subject to an investigation under this title.” Thus, the reference point from which the domestic like product analysis begins is “the article subject to an investigation” ( i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to be investigated, which normally will be the scope as defined in the petition).

With regard to the domestic like product, the petitioner does not offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope of the investigation. 13 Based on our analysis of the information submitted on the record, we have determined that slag pots, as defined in the scope, constitute a single domestic like product, and we have analyzed industry support in terms of that domestic like product. 14

In determining whether the petitioner has standing under section 732(c)(4)(A) of the Act, we considered the industry support data contained in the Petition with reference to the domestic like product as defined in the “Scope of the Investigation,” in the appendix to this notice. To establish industry support, the petitioner provided its own production of the domestic like product in 2023 and compared this to the estimated total production of the domestic like product in 2023 by the U.S. slag pots industry. 15 We relied on data provided by the petitioner for purposes of measuring industry support. 16

Our review of the data provided in the Petition, the First General Issues Supplement, the Second General Issues Supplement, and other information readily available to Commerce indicates that the petitioner has established industry support for the Petition. 17 First, the Petition established support from domestic producers (or workers) accounting for more than 50 percent of the total production of the domestic like product and, as such, Commerce is not required to take further action in order to evaluate industry support ( e.g., polling). 18 Second, the domestic producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry support under section 732(c)(4)(A)(i) of the Act because the domestic producers (or workers) who support the Petition account for at least 25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product. 19 Finally, the domestic producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry support under section 732(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act because the domestic producers (or workers) who support the Petition account for more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the Petition. 20 Accordingly, Commerce determines that the Petition was filed on behalf of the domestic industry within the meaning of section 732(b)(1) of the Act. 21

The petitioner alleges that the U.S. industry producing the domestic like product is being materially injured, or is threatened with material injury, by reason of the imports of the subject merchandise sold at LTFV. In addition, the petitioner alleges that subject imports from China exceed the negligibility threshold provided for under section 771(24)(A) of the Act. 22

The petitioner contends that the industry's injured condition is illustrated by the significant volume and market share of subject imports; underselling and price suppression; lost sales and revenues; and declines in the domestic industry's net sales quantities, employment variables, and financial performance. 23 We assessed the allegations and supporting evidence regarding material injury, threat of material injury, causation, cumulation, as well as negligibility, and we have determined that these allegations are properly supported by adequate evidence and meet the statutory requirements for initiation. 24

The following is a description of the allegations of sales at LTFV upon which Commerce based its decision to initiate a LTFV investigation of imports of slag pots from China. The sources of data for the deductions and adjustments relating to U.S. price and normal value (NV) are discussed in greater detail in the China AD Initiation Checklist.

The petitioner based export price (EP) on a transaction-specific average unit value (AUV) ( i.e., month- and port-specific AUV) derived from official import statistics for imports of slag pots from China during the period of investigation and tied to ship manifest data. 25 The petitioner conservatively did not make any adjustments to U.S. price to calculate a net ex-factory U.S. price. 26

Commerce considers China to be an NME country. 27 In accordance with section 771(18)(C)(i) of the Act, any determination that a foreign country is an NME country shall remain in effect until revoked by Commerce. Therefore, we continue to treat China as an NME country for purposes of the initiation of this LTFV investigation. Accordingly, we base NV on FOPs valued in a surrogate market economy country in accordance with section 773(c) of the Act.

The petitioner claims that Malaysia is an appropriate surrogate country for China because it is a market economy that is at a level of economic development comparable to that of China and is a significant producer of comparable merchandise. 28 The petitioner provided publicly available information from Malaysia to value all FOPs except labor. 29 Consistent with Commerce's recent practice in cases involving Malaysia as a surrogate country, 30 to value labor, the petitioner provided data from another surrogate country, Mexico. Based on the information provided by the petitioner, we believe it is appropriate to use Malaysia as a surrogate country for China to value all FOPs except labor and Mexico to value labor for initiation purposes.

Interested parties will have the opportunity to submit comments regarding surrogate country selection and, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.301(c)(3)(i), will be provided an opportunity to submit publicly available information to value FOPs within 30 days before the scheduled date of the preliminary determination.

Because information regarding the volume of inputs consumed by Chinese producers/exporters was not reasonably available, the petitioner used its own production experience and product-specific consumption rates as a surrogate to value Chinese manufacturers' FOPs. 31 Additionally, the petitioner calculated factory overhead, selling, general, and administrative expenses, and profit based on the experience of a Malaysian producer of comparable merchandise. 32

Based on the data provided by the petitioner, there is reason to believe that imports of slag pots from China are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at LTFV. Based on comparisons of EP to NV in accordance with sections 772 and 773 of the Act, the estimated dumping margin for slag pots from China covered by this initiation is 294.43 percent. 33

Based upon the examination of the Petition and supplemental responses, we find that they meet the requirements of section 732 of the Act. Therefore, we are initiating a LTFV investigation to determine whether imports of slag pots are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at LTFV. In accordance with section 733(b)(1)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we will make our preliminary determination no later than 140 days after the date of this initiation.

In the Petition, the petitioner identified 11 companies in China as producers and/or exporters of slag pots. 34 Our standard practice for respondent selection in AD investigations involving NME countries is to select respondents based on quantity and value (Q&V) questionnaires in cases where Commerce has determined that the number of companies is large, and it cannot individually examine each company based upon its resources. Therefore, considering the number of producers and/or exporters identified in the Petition, Commerce will solicit Q&V information that can serve as a basis for selecting exporters for individual examination in the event that Commerce determines that the number is large and decides to limit the number of respondents individually examined pursuant to section 777A(c)(2) of the Act. Because there are 11 Chinese producers and/or exporters identified in the Petition, Commerce has determined that it will issue Q&V questionnaires to each potential respondent for which there is complete address information on the record.

Commerce will post the Q&V questionnaires along with filing instructions on Commerce's website at https://www.trade.gov/ec-adcvd-case-announcements. Producers/exporters of slag pots from China that do not receive Q&V questionnaires may still submit a response to the Q&V questionnaire and can obtain a copy of the Q&V questionnaire from Commerce's website. Responses to the Q&V questionnaire must be submitted by the relevant Chinese producers/exporters no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on February 4, 2025, which is two weeks from the signature date of this notice. All Q&V questionnaire responses must be filed electronically via ACCESS. An electronically filed document must be received successfully, in its entirety, by ACCESS no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on the deadline noted above.

Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under administrative protective order (APO) in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(b). As stated above, instructions for filing such applications may be found on Commerce's website at https://www.trade.gov/administrative-protective-orders.

In order to obtain separate rate status in an NME investigation, exporters and producers must submit a separate rate application. The specific requirements for submitting a separate rate application in an NME investigation are outlined in detail in the application itself, which is available on Commerce's website at https://access.trade.gov/Resources/nme/nme-sep-rate.html. Note that Commerce recently promulgated new regulations pertaining to separate rates, including the separate rate application deadline and eligibility for separate rate status, in 19 CFR 351.108. 35 Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.108(d)(1), the separate rate application will be due 21 days after publication of this initiation notice. 36 Exporters and producers must file a timely separate rate application if they want to be considered for individual examination. In addition, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.108(e), exporters and producers who submit a separate rate application and have been selected as mandatory respondents will be eligible for consideration for separate rate status only if they fully respond to all parts of Commerce's AD questionnaire and participate in the LTFV proceeding as mandatory respondents. 37 Commerce requires that companies from China submit a response both to the Q&V questionnaire and to the separate rate application by the respective deadlines to receive consideration for separate rate status. Companies not filing a timely Q&V questionnaire response will not receive separate rate consideration.

Commerce will calculate combination rates for certain respondents that are eligible for a separate rate in an NME investigation. The Separate Rates and Combination Rates Bulletin states:

In accordance with section 732(b)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.202(f), copies of the public version of the Petition have been provided to the Government of China via ACCESS. To the extent practicable, we will attempt to provide a copy of the public version of the Petition to each exporter named in the Petition, as provided under 19 CFR 351.203(c)(2).

Commerce will notify the ITC of our initiation, as required by section 732(d) of the Act.

The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 45 days after the date on which the Petition was filed, whether there is a reasonable indication that imports of slag pots from China are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, a U.S. industry. 39 A negative ITC determination will result in the investigation being terminated. 40 Otherwise, this LTFV investigation will proceed according to statutory and regulatory time limits.

Factual information is defined in 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) as: (i) evidence submitted in response to questionnaires; (ii) evidence submitted in support of allegations; (iii) publicly available information to value factors under 19 CFR 351.408(c) or to measure the adequacy of remuneration under 19 CFR 351.511(a)(2); (iv) evidence placed on the record by Commerce; and (v) evidence other than factual information described in (i)-(iv). Section 351.301(b) of Commerce's regulations requires any party, when submitting factual information, to specify under which subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) the information is being submitted  41 and, if the information is submitted to rebut, clarify, or correct factual information already on the record, to provide an explanation identifying the information already on the record that the factual information seeks to rebut, clarify, or correct. 42 Time limits for the submission of factual information are addressed in 19 CFR 351.301, which provides specific time limits based on the type of factual information being submitted. Interested parties should review the regulations prior to submitting factual information in this investigation.

Parties may request an extension of time limits before the expiration of a time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as otherwise specified by Commerce. In general, an extension request will be considered untimely if it is filed after the expiration of the time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as otherwise specified by Commerce. 43 For submissions that are due from multiple parties simultaneously, an extension request will be considered untimely if it is filed after 10:00 a.m. ET on the due date. Under certain circumstances, Commerce may elect to specify a different time limit by which extension requests will be considered untimely for submissions which are due from multiple parties simultaneously. In such a case, we will inform parties in a letter or memorandum of the deadline (including a specified time) by which extension requests must be filed to be considered timely. An extension request must be made in a separate, standalone submission; under limited circumstances we will grant untimely filed requests for the extension of time limits, where we determine, based on 19 CFR 351.302, that extraordinary circumstances exist. Parties should review Commerce's regulations concerning the extension of time limits and the Time Limits Final Rule prior to submitting factual information in this investigation. 44

Any party submitting factual information in an AD or CVD proceeding must certify to the accuracy and completeness of that information. 45 Parties must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR 351.303(g). 46 Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the submitting party does not comply with the applicable certification requirements.

Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Parties wishing to participate in this investigation should ensure that they meet the requirements of 19 CFR 351.103(d) ( e.g., by filing the required letter of appearance). Note that Commerce has amended certain of its requirements pertaining to the service of documents in 19 CFR 351.303(f). 47

This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 732(c)(2) and 777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.203(c).

Background

On July 1, 2024, Commerce published its Preliminary Determination in the Federal Register and invited interested parties to comment. 1 On July 22, 2024, Commerce tolled certain deadlines in this administrative proceeding by seven days. 2 The deadline for the final determination is now January 21, 2025.

A summary of the events that occurred since Commerce published the Preliminary Determination, as well as a full discussion of the issues raised by parties for this final determination, may be found in the Issues and Decision Memorandum. 3 The Issues and Decision Memorandum is a public document and is made available to the public via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at https://access.trade.gov . In addition, a complete version of the Issues and Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at https://access.trade.gov/public/FRNoticesListLayout.aspx .

The products covered by this investigation are paper plates from China. For a complete description of the scope of this investigation, see Appendix I.

We received no comments from interested parties on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in the Preliminary Determination. Therefore, we made no changes to the scope of the investigation.

The subsidy programs under investigation, and the issues raised in the case and rebuttal briefs that were submitted by parties in this investigation, are discussed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum. For a list of the issues raised by interested parties and addressed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum, see Appendix II.

Commerce conducted this investigation in accordance with section 701 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). For each of the subsidy programs found to be countervailable, Commerce determines that there is a subsidy, i.e., a financial contribution by an “authority” that gives rise to a benefit to the recipient, and that the subsidy is specific. 4 For a full description of the methodology underlying our final determination, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

In making this final determination, Commerce relied, in part, on facts otherwise available, including with an adverse inference (AFA), pursuant to sections 776(a) and (b) of the Act. For a full discussion of our application of AFA, see the Preliminary Determination, 5 and the Issues and Decision Memorandum section entitled “Use of Facts Otherwise Available and Application of Adverse Inferences.”

As provided in section 782(i) of the Act, in August and September 2024, we conducted verification of information submitted by Fuzhou Hengli Paper Co., Ltd. (Fuzhou Hengli) and Jinhua P&P Product Co., Ltd. (Jinhua P&P) for use in our final determination. We used standard verification procedures, including an examination of relevant accounting records, and original source documents provided by Fuzhou Hengli and Jinhua P&P. 6

Commerce preliminarily determined, in accordance with sections 703(e)(1)(A) and (B) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.206, that critical circumstances existed with respect to imports of subject merchandise for Fuzhou Hengli, the “all-other” producers and/or exporters, and four companies who did not respond to our quantity and value questionnaire (hereinafter referred to as the “non-responsive companies”), 7 and did not exist for Jinhua P&P. 8 For this final determination, in accordance with section 705(a)(2) of the Act, Commerce continues to find that critical circumstances exist with respect to imports of subject merchandise for Fuzhou Hengli, all-other producers and/or exporters, and the non-responsive companies, and do not exist with respect to imports of subject merchandise for Jinhua P&P. For a full description of the methodology and results of our critical circumstances analysis, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

Based on our analysis of the comments received from interested parties and our verification findings, we made certain changes to the subsidy rate calculations for Fuzhou Hengli and Jinhua P&P. For a discussion of these changes, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

Pursuant to section 705(c)(5)(A)(i) of the Act, Commerce will determine an all-others rate equal to the weighted-average countervailable subsidy rates established for exporters and/or producers individually examined, excluding any rates that are zero, de minimis, or rates based entirely under section 776 of the Act. In this investigation, Commerce calculated total net subsidy rates for Fuzhou Hengli and Jinhua P&P that are not zero, de minimis, or based entirely on the facts otherwise available. Because Commerce calculated individual estimated countervailable subsidy rates for Fuzhou Hengli and Jinhua P&P that are not zero, de minimis, or based entirely on the facts otherwise available, we have calculated the all-others rate using a weighted-average of the individual estimated subsidy rates calculated for the examined respondents using each company's publicly-ranged sales values.

Commerce determines that the following estimated countervailable subsidy rates exist:

Commerce intends to disclose its calculations and analysis performed in connection with this final determination within five days of its public announcement, or if there is no public announcement, within five days of the date of publication of this notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).

As a result of our Preliminary Determination and pursuant to sections 703(d)(1)(B) and (d)(2) of the Act, we instructed U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise from China that were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption, on or after July 1, 2024, the date of publication of the Preliminary Determination in the Federal Register . 9 Because we preliminarily determined that critical circumstances existed with respect to Fuzhou Hengli, the non-responsive companies, and companies covered by the all-others rate, we instructed CBP to suspend such entries on or after April 2, 2024, which is 90 days prior to the date of the publication of the Preliminary Determination in the Federal Register . In accordance with section 703(d) of the Act, we instructed CBP to discontinue the suspension of liquidation of all entries of subject merchandise entered or withdrawn from warehouse, on or after October 29, 2024, but to continue the suspension of liquidation of all entries of subject merchandise that were subject to suspension of liquidation between April 2, 2024, and October 28, 2024.

If the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issues a final affirmative injury determination, we will issue a countervailing duty order, reinstate the suspension of liquidation under section 706(a) of the Act, and require a cash deposit of estimated countervailing duties for entries of subject merchandise in the amounts indicated above. If the ITC determines that material injury, or threat of material injury, does not exist, this proceeding will be terminated, and all estimated duties deposited or securities posted as a result of the suspension of liquidation will be refunded or canceled.

In accordance with section 705(d) of the Act, we will notify the ITC of our final affirmative determination that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of paper plates from China. Because the final determination is affirmative, in accordance with section 705(b) of the Act, the ITC will make its final determination as to whether the domestic industry in the United States is materially injured, or threatened with material injury, by reason of imports of paper plates from China no later than 45 days after our final determination. In addition, we are making available to the ITC all non-privileged and nonproprietary information related to this investigation. We will allow the ITC access to all privileged and business proprietary information in our files, provided the ITC confirms that it will not disclose such information, either publicly or under an administrative protective order (APO), without the written consent of the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

If the ITC determines that material injury or threat of material injury does not exist, this proceeding will be terminated and all cash deposits will be refunded. If the ITC determines that such injury does exist, Commerce will issue a CVD order directing CBP to assess, upon further instruction by Commerce, countervailing duties on all imports of the subject merchandise that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the effective date of the suspension of liquidation, as discussed above in the “Suspension of Liquidation” section.

In the event that the ITC issues a final negative injury determination, this notice will serve as the only reminder to parties subject to an APO of their responsibility concerning the destruction of proprietary information disclosed under APO, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely written notification of the return/destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a violation which is subject to sanction.

This determination is issued and published pursuant to sections 705(d) and 777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.210(c).

The following items are on the agenda, although agenda items may be addressed out of order, (changes will be noted on the Council's website when possible).

Review Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) membership applications.

Introduction to the purpose of this framework and review the range of alternatives that may be considered.

Consider requesting that NOAA Fisheries publish control dates for recreational for-hire permits for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish.

Updates on the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow Bottom Trawl Operations and Contingency Plans.

Recent developments related to the Industry-Based Survey Pilot Project.

Overview of Council project to develop searchable collection of literature on impacts of fishing gear on the marine fish habitats throughout the United States and U.S. Territories.

Presentation on the LOC-NESS project focused on marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR).

Council staff will summarize the required 3-year review (covers SBRM performance from July 2019 through June 2022).

Committee Reports—SSC, NTAP; Executive Director's Report—Review and appoint SSC membership; Organization Reports; Liaison Reports.

Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c).

These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aid should be directed to Shelley Spedden, (302) 526-5251, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) administers the NWPL for the United States (U.S.) and its territories. Responsibility for the NWPL was transferred to USACE from the FWS in 2006. The NWPL has undergone several revisions since its inception in 1988. Additions or deletions to the NWPL represent new records, range extensions, nomenclatural and taxonomic changes, and newly proposed species. The latest review process began in 2024 and included review by Regional Panels (RPs) and the National Panel (NP).

On the NWPL, there are five categories of wetland indicator status ratings used to indicate a plant's likelihood for occurrence in wetlands versus non-wetlands: Obligate Wetland (OBL), Facultative Wetland (FACW), Facultative (FAC), Facultative Upland (FACU), and Upland (UPL). These rating categories are defined by the NP as follows: OBL—almost always occur in wetlands; FACW—usually occur in wetlands but may occur in non-wetlands; FAC—occur in wetlands and non-wetlands; FACU—usually occur in non-wetlands but may occur in wetlands; UPL—almost always occur in non-wetlands. These category definitions are qualitative descriptions that better reflect the qualitative supporting information, rather than numeric frequency ranges. The percentage frequency categories used in the older definitions are only used for testing problematic or contested species being recommended for indicator status changes. All other previously utilized indicator designations are no longer used on the NWPL. More information on the specifics of how to use these ratings is available on the NWPL website at https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/.

The NWPL is utilized in conducting wetland determinations under the authority of section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) and section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 401 et seq. ) and wetland determinations under the authority of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq. ). For the purposes of determining how often a species occurs in wetlands, wetlands are defined as either (1) those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions (33 CFR 328.3) or (2) “except when such term is part of the term `converted wetland,' means land that has a predominance of hydric soils; is inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support a prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions; and under normal circumstances does support a prevalence of such vegetation, except that this term does not include lands in Alaska identified as having a high potential for agricultural development and a predominance of permafrost soils.” (16 U.S.C. 3801(a)(27) and 7 CFR 12.2). Because each plant species being evaluated occurs as part of a vegetation assemblage, examining all species present in relation to their assigned wetland fidelity may be useful in assessing hydrophytic vegetation.

For the 2024 NWPL update, requested wetland indicator status rating changes were submitted by the public. One member of the public submitted a request to change the wetland indicator status rating for Cicendia quadrangularis to FAC in the Arid West region. However, the submitter's requested change is already reflected on the NWPL. Since the requested indicator status rating of FAC is the same wetland indicator status rating already contained in the NWPL, no change is being proposed by the NWPL NP for this species. The NWPL NP and pertinent RPs reviewed the proposed changes for two other species, Alnus incana and Amaranthus tuberculatus, and made recommendations for the proposed 2024 wetland indicator status ratings for these species detailed below.

For the 2024 NWPL update, the Alaska RP requested an evaluation of the wetland indicator status ratings for eight species in the Alaska region which have different wetland indicator status ratings for certain subregions within Alaska. The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, in collaboration with the Alaska RP, evaluated the subregional wetland indicator status ratings for those eight species using repeatable methods for assignment of wetland indicator status rating, including multiple correspondence analysis, analysis of similarity, non-metric multidimensional scaling, principal component analysis, and machine learning techniques. Based on the results of this research (Whitecloud et al., 2024 ), as well as input from the NWPL NP and the Alaska RP, we propose the following changes, which are summarized in the table below. A copy of this report can be reviewed at the following link: http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/49509. Note: no changes are being proposed to the overall Alaska regional wetland indicator status ratings. Subregion acronyms are defined below the recommendations table.

1. Andromeda polifolia —for the two examined subregions with adequate sample size (IAL, UKK), change wetland indicator status rating from OBL to FACW. The wetland indicator status rating remains OBL in IAM. For the two examined subregions without adequate sample size (CRB, IBR), the wetland indicator status rating will remain OBL, as there was not sufficient data to support an indicator status change.

2. Arctous rubra —change the wetland indicator status rating for all subregions examined (WBR, NBR, NSL, SPH) to match the state wetland indicator status rating of FAC.

3. Carex canescens —no change to the subregion wetland indicator status rating of FAC, as none of the five subregions examined (IAL, IAM, CRB, IBR, UKK) had adequate sample size to support a different indicator.

4. Rhododendron tomentosum —change the wetland indicator status rating for the subregion examined (PDA) to match the state wetland indicator status rating of FACW.

5. Rubus arcticus —no change to the subregion wetland indicator status rating of FACU. Retention of FACU is supported by the analyses for three subregions (IAH, IAM, CRB), but two subregions (IAL and IBR) did not have enough data for analysis, so remain unchanged. Salix arctica —remains FAC in ACP (supported by analyses) and NSL (not enough data to support change). WBR and SPH are reassigned from FAC to FACU to match the state.

6. Salix pulchra —change the wetland indicator status rating for all subregions examined (WBR, PDA) to match the state wetland indicator status rating of FACW.

7. Viola palustris —change the rating for AKI from FAC to FACW. For the purposes of this proposed change, the change from FAC to FACW for Viola palustris will apply to Major Land Resource Areas (MLRA) 230 (Yukon-Kuskokwim Highlands) and 232 (Yukon Flats Lowland). Under this proposal, the other NWPL subregions ( i.e., MLRAs) found in AKI (CBR, IAH, IAL, IAM, IBR, PDA) will remain FAC. Retention of FAC for IAH and IAM is supported by analyses; the remaining subregions did not have enough data.

USACE encourages public input in the form of data, comments, literature references, or field experiences, to help clarify the status of the species reviewed for this update. Comments on these proposed changes should be emailed to nwpl@usace.army.mil. Users are encouraged to submit literature citations, herbaria records, experiential references, monitoring data, photographic documentation, and other relevant information. Specific knowledge of, or studies related to, individual species are particularly helpful. When providing input or information on the draft changes to the 2024 NWPL update, commenters should use their regional botanical and ecological expertise, field observations, reviews of the most recent indicator status information, appropriate botanical literature, floras, herbarium specimens with notation of habitat and associated species, habit data, relevant studies, and historic list information. Providing ratings without supporting documentation or information is not recommended. All submitted comments and information will be compiled and sent to the NP for their review and consideration.

Detailed information on the update process, protocol, and technical issues can be found in the following documents, which are available on the “References/Resources” web page:

• Lichvar, Robert W. and Paul Minkin. Concepts and Procedures for Updating the National Wetland Plant List. 2008. ERDC/CRREL TN-08-3. Hanover, NH: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory.

• Lichvar, Robert W. and Jennifer J. Gillrich. Final Protocol for Assigning Wetland Indicator Status Ratings during National Wetland Plant List Update. 2011. ERDC/CRREL TN-11-1. Hanover, NH: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory.

• Lichvar Robert W., Norman C. Melvin, Mary L. Butterwick, and William N. Kirchner. 2012. National Wetland Plant List Indicator Rating Definitions. ERDC/CRREL TN-12-1. Hanover, NH: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development, Center Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory.

• Whitecloud, Simone W., Philley, Kevin D., Minkin, J. Paul, Antrim, Anna K., Lichtner, Franz J., Wuerslin, Nicole A., Barker, Natalie. D., Gong, Ping., Campellone, Estrella F., Gordon, Kyle B., and Wilson, Matthew S. (2024). Assessing the validity and accuracy of Wetland Indicator Status Ratings for eight species in Alaska subregions. ERDC TR- 24-26. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.

Submissions throughout the review period will be compiled and reviewed prior to each NWPL update and any resulting proposed changes will be reflected in the subsequent notice of an updated list. Future updates to the NWPL will occur on a to be determined schedule. A change in indicator status for a given species, or a proposed species addition may be requested at any time at https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/ under “Submit NWPL Change Request.”

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, and to comply with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-17-12, “Preparing for and Responding to a Breach of Personally Identifiable Information”, January 3, 2017, this notice has one (1) updated routine use (routine use 13) and twelve (13) new routine uses, including two routine uses that will permit FERC to disclose information as necessary in response to an actual or suspected breach that pertains to a breach of its own records or to assist another agency in its efforts to respond to a breach that was previously published separately at 87 FR 35543 (June 10, 2022).

The following sections have been updated to reflect changes made since the publication of the last notice in the Federal Register : dates; addresses; for further information contact; system location; system manager(s); purpose(s) of the system; categories of records in the system; record source categories; routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories of users and the purpose of such; policies and practices for storage of records; policies and practices for retention and disposal of records; administrative, technical, physical safeguards; record access procedures; contesting record procedures; notification procedures; and history.

Title of Collection: Labeling Requirements for Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fueled Vehicles (Alternative Fuels Rule), 16 CFR part 309.

OMB Control No.: 3084-0094.

Type of Review: Extension without change of currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Private Sector: Businesses and other for-profit entities.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 2,900 hours.

Estimated Annual Labor Costs: $103,337.

Non-Labor Costs: $1,350.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 established federal programs to encourage the development of alternative fuels and alternative fueled vehicles (AFVs). Section 406(a) of the Act directed the Commission to establish uniform labeling requirements for alternative fuels and AFVs. 42 U.S.C. 13232(a). Such labels must provide “appropriate information with respect to costs and benefits [of alternative fuels and AFVs], so as to reasonably enable the consumer to make choices and comparisons.” The required labels must be “simple and, where appropriate, consolidated with other labels providing information to the consumer.”

Pursuant to the Act, the Commission published the Alternative Fuels Rule in 1995, and the Rule was later amended in 2013. 1 The Rule requires disclosure of specific information on labels posted on fuel dispensers for non-liquid alternative fuels. To ensure the accuracy of these disclosures, the Rule also requires that sellers maintain records substantiating product-specific disclosures they include on these labels. In addition, the Rule requires that distributors of non-liquid alternative vehicle fuel provide certifications of the fuel rating in each transfer to anyone who is not a consumer.

As required by section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., the FTC is providing this opportunity for public comment before requesting that OMB extend the existing clearance for the information collection requirements contained in the Alternative Fuels Rule.

I. Annual Hours Burden: 2,900 hours.

FTC staff estimates that approximately 9,092 industry participants  2 are subject to the Rule's information collection requirements. The burden estimates for covered entities are detailed below. 3

Labeling: Staff estimates that approximately 1,776 covered retailers must revise covered labels annually. 4 Staff estimates that affected retailers require approximately one hour each per year for labeling their fuel dispensers for a total of 1,776 hours (1,776 respondents × 1 hour per year).

Recordkeeping: FTC staff estimates that approximately 9,092 industry participants are subject to the Rule's recordkeeping requirements. Staff estimates that covered entities require approximately one-tenth of an hour each per year to comply with these requirements. This yields a burden of approximately 910 hours per year (9,092 respondents × 0.1 hours).

Certification: Staff estimates that the Rule's fuel rating certification requirements will affect approximately 214 industry members (producers, importers, and refiners of CNG, LNG, and hydrogen, and distributors and manufacturers of electric vehicle fuel dispensing systems). Staff anticipates that covered industry participants will spend approximately one hour per year to comply with this requirement for a total of 214 hours (214 respondents × 1 hour per year).

Accordingly, the estimated annual burden under the Rule is 2,900 hours (1,776 + 910 + 214).

Labor Costs: $103,337.

FTC staff derive labor costs by applying appropriate hourly wage figures to the burden hours described above. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, 5 the average compensation for fuel system operators is $42.36 per hour; and $16.60 per hour for automotive service attendants. These are factored into the FTC's estimates and assumptions below.

Labeling: Staff assumes that labeling is performed by fuel system operators. Applying relevant labor cost figures to the estimated burden hours for labeling yields an estimated annual labor cost of $75,232 (1,776 hours × $42.36).

Recordkeeping: Staff estimates that approximately 1/6 of the total recordkeeping hours are performed by fuel system operators ( 1/6 of 910 hours = approximately 152 hours; 152 hours × $42.36 = $6,439) and that automotive service attendants account for the remaining 5/6 of recordkeeping hours ( 5/6 of 910 hours = approximately 759 hours; 759 hours × $16.60 = $12,600). Accordingly, staff estimates that the total labor cost for recordkeeping for affected industry is approximately $19,039 ($6,439 + $12,600).

Certification: Staff assumes that certification is performed by fuel system operators. Estimated associated labor costs would be $9,066 (214 hours × $42.36).

Accordingly, the estimated annual labor cost under the Rule is $103,337 ($75,232 + $19,039 + $9,066).

II. Non-Labor Costs: $1,350.

Staff believes there are no current start-up costs associated with the Rule, which has been in effect since 1995. Industry members have in place the capital equipment and means necessary to determine automotive fuel ratings and comply with the Rule. Industry members, however, incur the cost of procuring fuel dispenser labels to comply with the Rule.

The estimated annual fuel labeling cost, based on estimates of approximately 8,000 fuel dispensers (assumptions: an estimated 20% of 8,878 total fuel retailers need to replace labels in any given year with an approximate five-year life for labels— i.e., 1,776 retailers—multiplied by an average of two dispensers per retailer) at thirty-eight cents for each label (per industry sources), is $1,350 ($0.38 × 1,776 × 2).

Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, the FTC invites comments on: (1) whether the disclosure and recordkeeping requirements are necessary, including whether the information will be practically useful; (2) the accuracy of our burden estimates, including whether the methodology and assumptions used are valid; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information.

For the FTC to consider a comment, we must receive it on or before March 31, 2025. Your comment, including your name and your state, will be placed on the public record of this proceeding, including the https://www.regulations.gov website.

You can file a comment online or on paper. Due to heightened security screening, postal mail addressed to the Commission will be subject to delay. We encourage you to submit your comments online through the https://www.regulations.gov website.

If you file your comment on paper, write “Alternative Fuels Rule, PRA Comment, P085405,” on your comment and on the envelope, and mail it to the following address: Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite CC-5610 (Annex J), Washington, DC 20580.

Because your comment will become publicly available at https://www.regulations.gov, you are solely responsible for making sure that your comment does not include any sensitive or confidential information. In particular, your comment should not include any sensitive personal information, such as your or anyone else's Social Security number; date of birth; driver's license number or other state identification number, or foreign country equivalent; passport number; financial account number; or credit or debit card number. You are also solely responsible for making sure that your comment does not include any sensitive health information, such as medical records or other individually identifiable health information. In addition, your comment should not include any “trade secret or any commercial or financial information which . . . is privileged or confidential”—as provided by section 6(f) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 46(f), and FTC Rule 4.10(a)(2), 16 CFR 4.10(a)(2)—including, in particular, competitively sensitive information, such as costs, sales statistics, inventories, formulas, patterns, devices, manufacturing processes, or customer names.

Comments containing material for which confidential treatment is requested must (1) be filed in paper form, (2) be clearly labeled “Confidential,” and (3) comply with FTC Rule 4.9(c). In particular, the written request for confidential treatment that accompanies the comment must include the factual and legal basis for the request, and must identify the specific portions of the comment to be withheld from the public record. See FTC Rule 4.9(c). Your comment will be kept confidential only if the General Counsel grants your request in accordance with the law and the public interest. Once your comment has been posted publicly at www.regulations.gov, we cannot redact or remove your comment unless you submit a confidentiality request that meets the requirements for such treatment under FTC Rule 4.9(c), and the General Counsel grants that request.

The FTC Act and other laws that the Commission administers permit the collection of public comments to consider and use in this proceeding as appropriate. The Commission will consider all timely and responsive public comments that it receives on or before March 31, 2025. For information on the Commission's privacy policy, including routine uses permitted by the Privacy Act, see https://www.ftc.gov/site-information/privacy-policy.

The Commission has received an amended complaint and a submission pursuant to § 210.8(b) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure filed on behalf of Razor USA LLC and Shane Chen on January 21, 2025. The original complaint was filed on January 3, 2025 and a notice of receipt of complaint; solicitation of comments relating to the public interest published in the Federal Register on January 10, 2025. The amended complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1337) in the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain motorized self-balancing vehicles. The amended complaint names as respondents: Golabs Inc. d/b/a Gotrax of Carrollton, TX; Dongguan Saibotan Nengyuan Keji Co., Ltd. d/b/a “Gyroor US” of China; Unicorn Network, LLC d/b/a/Sisigad c/o A Registered Agent, Inc. of Dover, DE; Gyroor Technology (CHINA) Co., Ltd. d/b/a Gyroor of China; and Shenzhen Chitado Technology Co., Ltd. d/b/a Gyroor of China. The complainant requests that the Commission issue a limited exclusion order, cease and desist orders and impose a bond upon respondents' alleged infringing articles during the 60-day Presidential review period pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1337(j).

Proposed respondents, other interested parties, members of the public, and interested government agencies are invited to file comments on any public interest issues raised by the amended complaint or § 210.8(b) filing. Comments should address whether issuance of the relief specifically requested by the complainant in this investigation would affect the public health and welfare in the United States, competitive conditions in the United States economy, the production of like or directly competitive articles in the United States, or United States consumers.

In particular, the Commission is interested in comments that:

(i) explain how the articles potentially subject to the requested remedial orders are used in the United States;

(ii) identify any public health, safety, or welfare concerns in the United States relating to the requested remedial orders;

(iii) identify like or directly competitive articles that complainant, its licensees, or third parties make in the United States which could replace the subject articles if they were to be excluded;

(iv) indicate whether complainant, complainant's licensees, and/or third party suppliers have the capacity to replace the volume of articles potentially subject to the requested exclusion order and/or a cease and desist order within a commercially reasonable time; and

(v) explain how the requested remedial orders would impact United States consumers.

Written submissions on the public interest must be filed no later than by close of business, eight calendar days after the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register . There will be further opportunities for comment on the public interest after the issuance of any final initial determination in this investigation. Any written submissions on other issues must also be filed by no later than the close of business, eight calendar days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register . Complainant may file replies to any written submissions no later than three calendar days after the date on which any initial submissions were due, notwithstanding § 201.14(a) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. No other submissions will be accepted, unless requested by the Commission. Any submissions and replies filed in response to this Notice are limited to five (5) pages in length, inclusive of attachments.

Persons filing written submissions must file the original document electronically on or before the deadlines stated above. Submissions should refer to the docket number (“Docket No. 3801”) in a prominent place on the cover page and/or the first page. ( See Handbook for Electronic Filing Procedures, Electronic Filing Procedures  1 ). Please note the Secretary's Office will accept only electronic filings during this time. Filings must be made through the Commission's Electronic Document Information System (EDIS, https://edis.usitc.gov .) No in-person paper-based filings or paper copies of any electronic filings will be accepted until further notice. Persons with questions regarding filing should contact the Secretary at EDIS3Help@usitc.gov .

Any person desiring to submit a document to the Commission in confidence must request confidential treatment. All such requests should be directed to the Secretary to the Commission and must include a full statement of the reasons why the Commission should grant such treatment. See 19 CFR 201.6. Documents for which confidential treatment by the Commission is properly sought will be treated accordingly. All information, including confidential business information and documents for which confidential treatment is properly sought, submitted to the Commission for purposes of this Investigation may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits, reviews, and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission including under 5 U.S.C. appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. Government employees and contract personnel  2 , solely for cybersecurity purposes. All nonconfidential written submissions will be available for public inspection at the Office of the Secretary and on EDIS  3 .

This action is taken under the authority of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1337), and of §§ 201.10 and 210.8(c) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.10, 210.8(c)).

The Commission instituted this investigation on November 27, 2023, based upon a complaint filed on behalf of Eli Lilly and Company of Indianapolis, Indiana (“Lilly”). 88 FR 82914, 82914-15 (Nov. 27, 2023). The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 based upon the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain products containing tirzepatide or purporting to contain tirzepatide by reason of false designation of source and false and misleading advertising, the threat or effect of which is to destroy or substantially injure an industry in the United States, and by reason of infringement of U.S. Trademark No. 6,809,369. Id. The complaint also alleges that a domestic industry exists pursuant to subsection (a)(2) of section 337. Id. The Commission's notice of investigation named as respondents: (1) Arctic Peptides LLC of Akeny, Iowa (“Arctic Peptides”); (2) Audrey Beauty Co. of Hong Kong, China (“Audrey Beauty”); (3) Biolabshop Limited of Lancaster, United Kingdom (“Biolabshop”); (4) Mew Mews Company Limited of Hong Kong, China (“Mew Mews”); (5) Strate Labs LLC of Spring, Texas (“Strate Labs”); (6) Steroide Kaufen of Bialystok, Poland (“Steroide Kaufen”); (7) Super Human Store of Barcelona, Spain (“SHS”); (8) Supopeptide of Cedar Grove, New Jersey (“Supopeptide”); (9) Triggered Supplements LLC (d/b/a The Triggered Brand) of Clearwater, Florida (“Triggered Brand”); (10) Unewlife of Cedar Grove, New Jersey (“Unewlife”); and (11) Xiamen Austronext Trading Co., Ltd. (d/b/a AustroPeptide) of Fujian, China (“AustroPeptide”). Id. at 82915. The Office of Unfair Import Investigations (“OUII”) is also named as a party in this investigation. Id.

On March 21, 2024, the investigation terminated in part, based on withdrawal of the related allegations in the complaint, as to respondents Unewlife, Supopeptide, and Steroide Kaufen. Order No. 8 (Mar. 7, 2024), unreviewed by Comm'n Notice (Mar. 21, 2024).

On May 15, 2024, the Commission found Arctic Peptides, Audrey Beauty, Biolabshop, Mew Mews, Strate Labs, SHS, Triggered Brand, and AustroPeptide in default. Order No. 13 (Apr. 22, 2024), unreviewed by Comm'n Notice (May 15, 2024).

On May 21, 2024, the complaint was amended to add as respondents Fibonacci Sequence LLC (d/b/a GenX Peptides) of Houston, Texas (“GenX Peptides”); and Paradigm Peptides of Michigan City, Indiana (“Paradigm Peptides”). Order No. 12 (Apr. 22, 2024), unreviewed by Comm'n Notice (May 21, 2024), available at 89 FR 46159, 46159-60 (May 28, 2024).

On June 13, 2024, the complaint was further amended to add as a respondent Total Compounding Pharmaceuticals of Australia (“Total Compounding”). Order No. 16 (May 8, 2024), unreviewed by Comm'n Notice (June 13, 2024), available at 89 FR 5149, 51549-50 (June 18, 2024).

On October 16, 2024, the Commission found GenX Peptides in default. Order No. 23 (Aug. 27, 2024), unreviewed by Comm'n Notice (Oct. 16, 2024).

On July 12, 2024, Lilly moved for summary determination on violation based on allegations of trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and/or false advertising against (1) Arctic Peptides, (2) Audrey Beauty, (3) Biolabshop, (4) Mew Mews, (5) Strate Labs, (6) SHS, (7) Triggered Brand, (8) AustroPeptide, (9) GenX Peptides, (10) Paradigm Peptides, and (11) Total Compounding. On December 6, 2024, the ALJ issued the subject ID, which partially granted the motion. Order No. 26 (Dec. 6, 2024). The ID granted Lilly's motion regarding trademark infringement as to respondents Audrey Beauty, Mew Mews, SHS, and Triggered Brand, but denied the motion as to GenX Peptides, Total Compounding, Paradigm Peptides, and Strate Labs. E.g., ID at 134 (including n.61). The ID granted Lilly's motion regarding false designation of origin as to respondents Audrey Beauty, Mew Mews, SHS, Triggered Brand, and Strate Labs, but denied the motion as to GenX Peptides, Total Compounding, Paradigm Peptides, and Biolabshop. E.g., id. (including n. 62). And the ID granted Lilly's motion as to false advertising as to respondents SHS, AustroPeptide, and Arctic Peptides. E.g., id. The ID additionally found that Lilly is entitled to summary determination as to the domestic industry requirement. E.g., id. No petitions for review of the ID were filed.

The subject ID included the ALJ's Preliminary Recommended Determination on Remedy and Bond (“RD”), should a violation be found. The RD recommended: (1) a general exclusion order directed to certain products containing tirzepatide and products purporting to contain tirzepatide imported, sold for importation, and/or sold after importation for the asserted trademark infringement and false designation of origin allegations; (2) in the alternative to a general exclusion order for the asserted trademark infringement and false designation of origin allegations, limited exclusion orders directed to Audrey Beauty, Mew Mews, SHS, Triggered Brand, Strate Labs, and AustroPeptide; (3) limited exclusion orders directed to SHS and AustroPeptide for the false advertising allegations; and (4) in addition to either a general exclusion order or limited exclusion orders, cease and desist orders directed to Arctic Peptides, Triggered Brand, and Strate Labs. The Commission notes that only the portions of Order No. 26 that correspond to a grant of a summary determination of violation for a particular respondent and claim are ripe for review at this time.

Having reviewed the record of the investigation, including the ID and the parties' submissions to the ALJ, the Commission has determined not to review the ID.

In connection with the final disposition of this investigation, the statute authorizes issuance of, inter alia, (1) an exclusion order that could result in the exclusion of the subject articles from entry into the United States; and/or (2) cease and desist orders that could result in the respondents being required to cease and desist from engaging in unfair acts in the importation and sale of such articles. Accordingly, the Commission is interested in receiving written submissions that address the form of remedy, if any, that should be ordered. If a party seeks exclusion of an article from entry into the United States for purposes other than entry for consumption, the party should so indicate and provide information establishing that activities involving other types of entry either are adversely affecting it or likely to do so. For background, see Certain Devices for Connecting Computers via Telephone Lines, Inv. No. 337-TA-360, USITC Pub. No. 2843, Comm'n Op. at 7-10 (Dec. 1994).

The statute requires the Commission to consider the effects of that remedy upon the public interest. The public interest factors the Commission will consider include the effect that an exclusion order and cease and desist orders would have on: (1) the public health and welfare, (2) competitive conditions in the U.S. economy, (3) U.S. production of articles that are like or directly competitive with those that are subject to investigation, and (4) U.S. consumers. The Commission is therefore interested in receiving written submissions that address the aforementioned public interest factors in the context of this investigation.

If the Commission orders some form of remedy, the U.S. Trade Representative, as delegated by the President, has 60 days to approve, disapprove, or take no action on the Commission's determination. See Presidential Memorandum of July 21, 2005, 70 FR 43251 (July 26, 2005). During this period, the subject articles would be entitled to enter the United States under bond, in an amount determined by the Commission and prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. The Commission is therefore interested in receiving submissions concerning the amount of the bond that should be imposed if a remedy is ordered.

Written Submissions: Parties to the investigation, interested government agencies, and any other interested parties are encouraged to file written submissions on the issues of remedy, the public interest, and bonding. Such submissions should address the recommended determination by the ALJ on remedy and bonding.

In its initial submission, Complainant is also requested to identify the remedy sought and Complainant and OUII are requested to submit proposed remedial orders for the Commission's consideration. Complainant is further to provide the HTSUS subheadings under which the accused products are imported, and to supply the identification information for all known importers of the products at issue in this investigation. The initial written submissions and proposed remedial orders must be filed no later than close of business on February 5, 2025. Reply submissions must be filed no later than the close of business on February 12, 2025. No further submissions on these issues will be permitted unless otherwise ordered by the Commission. No further submissions on any of these issues will be permitted unless otherwise ordered by the Commission.

Persons filing written submissions must file the original document electronically on or before the deadlines stated above. The Commission's paper filing requirements in 19 CFR 210.4(f) are currently waived. 85 FR 15798 (Mar. 19, 2020). Submissions should refer to the investigation number (Inv. No. 337-TA-1377) in a prominent place on the cover page and/or the first page. ( See Handbook for Electronic Filing Procedures, https://www.usitc.gov/documents/handbook_on_filing_procedures.pdf ). Persons with questions regarding filing should contact the Secretary, (202) 205-2000.

Any person desiring to submit a document to the Commission in confidence must request confidential treatment by marking each document with a header indicating that the document contains confidential information. This marking will be deemed to satisfy the request procedure set forth in Rules 201.6(b) and 210.5(e)(2) (19 CFR 201.6(b) & 210.5(e)(2)). Documents for which confidential treatment by the Commission is properly sought will be treated accordingly. Any non-party wishing to submit comments containing confidential information must serve those comments on the parties to the investigation pursuant to the applicable Administrative Protective Order. A redacted non-confidential version of the document must also be filed with the Commission and served on any parties to the investigation within two business days of any confidential filing. All information, including confidential business information and documents for which confidential treatment is properly sought, submitted to the Commission for purposes of this investigation may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits, reviews, and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission including under 5 U.S.C. appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. Government employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity purposes. All contract personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure agreements. All nonconfidential written submissions will be available for public inspection on EDIS.

The Commission vote for this determination took place on January 22, 2025.

The authority for the Commission's determination is contained in section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1337), and in part 210 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR part 210).

Background. —On December 9, 2024, the Commission determined that the domestic interested party group response to its notice of institution (89 FR 71419, September 3, 2024) of the subject five-year reviews was adequate and that the respondent interested party group response was inadequate. The Commission did not find any other circumstances that would warrant conducting full reviews. 1 Accordingly, the Commission determined that it would conduct expedited reviews pursuant to section 751(c)(3) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1675(c)(3)). 2

For further information concerning the conduct of these reviews and rules of general application, consult the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, part 201, subparts A and B (19 CFR part 201), and part 207, subparts A, D, E, and F (19 CFR part 207).

Staff report. —A staff report containing information concerning the subject matter of the reviews has been placed in the nonpublic record, and will be made available to persons on the Administrative Protective Order service list for these reviews on February 12, 2025. A public version will be issued thereafter, pursuant to § 207.62(d)(4) of the Commission's rules.

Written submissions. —As provided in § 207.62(d) of the Commission's rules, interested parties that are parties to the reviews and that have provided individually adequate responses to the notice of institution, 3 and any party other than an interested party to the reviews may file written comments with the Secretary on what determination the Commission should reach in the reviews. Comments are due on or before February 20, 2025 and may not contain new factual information. Any person that is neither a party to the five-year reviews nor an interested party may submit a brief written statement (which shall not contain any new factual information) pertinent to the reviews by February 20, 2025. However, should the Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) extend the time limit for its completion of the final results of its reviews, the deadline for comments (which may not contain new factual information) on Commerce's final results is three business days after the issuance of Commerce's results. If comments contain business proprietary information (BPI), they must conform with the requirements of §§ 201.6, 207.3, and 207.7 of the Commission's rules. The Commission's Handbook on Filing Procedures, available on the Commission's website at https://www.usitc.gov/documents/handbook_on_filing_procedures.pdf, elaborates upon the Commission's procedures with respect to filings.

In accordance with §§ 201.16(c) and 207.3 of the rules, each document filed by a party to the reviews must be served on all other parties to the reviews (as identified by either the public or BPI service list), and a certificate of service must be timely filed. The Secretary will not accept a document for filing without a certificate of service.

Determination. —The Commission has determined these reviews are extraordinarily complicated and therefore has determined to exercise its authority to extend the review period by up to 90 days pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1675(c)(5)(B).

Authority: These reviews are being conducted under authority of title VII of the Act; this notice is published pursuant to § 207.62 of the Commission's rules.

In accordance with 21 CFR 1301.34(a), this is notice that on October 4, 2024, Vici Health Sciences, LLC, 6655 Amberton Drive, Suite O, Elkridge, Maryland 21075-6202 applied to be registered as an importer of the following basic class(es) of controlled substance(s):

The company plans to import the listed controlled substance as part of a manufacturing process supporting research and clinical trial efforts. No other activity for this drug code is authorized for this registration.

Approval of permit applications will occur only when the registrant's business activity is consistent with what is authorized under 21 U.S.C. 952(a)(2). Authorization will not extend to the import of Food and Drug Administration-approved or non-approved finished dosage forms for commercial sale.

In accordance with 21 CFR 1301.34(a), this is notice that on October 9, 2024, Aveva Drug Delivery Systems, Inc., 3250 Commerce Parkway, Miramar, Florida 33025-3907, applied to be registered as an importer of the following basic class(es) of controlled substance(s):

The company plans to import the listed controlled substance for analytical purposes only. No other activity for this drug code is authorized for this registration.

Approval of permit applications will occur only when the registrant's business activity is consistent with what is authorized under 21 U.S.C. 952(a)(2). Authorization will not extend to the import of Food and Drug Administration-approved or non-approved finished dosage forms for commercial sale.

We are publishing notice of records schedules in which agencies propose to dispose of records they no longer need to conduct agency business. We invite public comments on these records schedules, as required by 44 U.S.C. 3303a(a), and list the schedules at the end of this notice by agency and subdivision requesting disposition authority.

In addition, this notice lists the organizational unit(s) accumulating the records or states that the schedule has agency-wide applicability. It also provides the control number assigned to each schedule, which you will need if you submit comments on that schedule.

We have uploaded the records schedules and accompanying appraisal memoranda to the regulations.gov docket for this notice as “other” documents. Each records schedule contains a full description of the records at the file unit level as well as their proposed disposition. The appraisal memorandum for the schedule includes information about the records.

We will post comments, including any personal information and attachments, to the public docket unchanged. Because comments are public, you are responsible for ensuring that you do not include any confidential or other information that you or a third party may not wish to be publicly posted. If you want to submit a comment with confidential information or cannot otherwise use the regulations.gov portal, you may contact request.schedule@nara.gov for instructions on submitting your comment.

We will consider all comments submitted by the posted deadline and consult as needed with the Federal agency seeking the disposition authority. After considering comments, we may or may not make changes to the proposed records schedule. The schedule is then sent for final approval by the Archivist of the United States. After the schedule is approved, we will post on regulations.gov a “Consolidated Reply” summarizing the comments, responding to them, and noting any changes we made to the proposed schedule. You may elect at regulations.gov to receive updates on the docket, including an alert when we post the Consolidated Reply, whether or not you submit a comment. If you have a question, you can submit it as a comment, and can also submit any concerns or comments you would have to a possible response to the question. We will address these items in consolidated replies along with any other comments submitted on that schedule.

We will post schedules on our website in the Records Control Schedule (RCS) Repository, at https://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/rcs, after the Archivist approves them. The RCS contains all schedules approved since 1973.

Each year, Federal agencies create billions of records. To control this accumulation, agency records managers prepare schedules proposing retention periods for records and submit these schedules for NARA's approval. Once approved by NARA, records schedules provide mandatory instructions on what happens to records when no longer needed for current Government business. The records schedules authorize agencies to preserve records of continuing value in the National Archives or to destroy, after a specified period, records lacking continuing administrative, legal, research, or other value. Some schedules are comprehensive and cover all the records of an agency or one of its major subdivisions. Most schedules, however, cover records of only one office or program or a few series of records. Many of these update previously approved schedules, and some include records proposed as permanent.

Agencies may not destroy Federal records without the approval of the Archivist of the United States. The Archivist grants this approval only after thorough consideration of the records' administrative use by the agency of origin, the rights of the Government and of private people directly affected by the Government's activities, and whether or not the records have historical or other value. Public review and comment on these records schedules is part of the Archivist's consideration process.

1. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Vaccine Bank Records (DAA-0463-2024-0007).

2. Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Records of Director Operational Test and Evaluation (DAA-0330-2024-0003).

3. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, HRSA Data Mart and Data Lakehouse (DAA-0512-2025-0001).

4. Department of Justice, Office of Access to Justice, Civil Legal Empowerment Access and Reentry Project Files (DAA-0060-2024-0019).

5. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA Real Estate and Asset Management System (DAA-0237-2023-0010).

IMLS is particularly interested in public comments that help the agency to:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques, or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

IMLS is the primary source of Federal support for the Nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grant making, research, and policy development. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov .

To administer the IMLS processes associated with grants and cooperative agreements, IMLS uses standardized application forms, guidelines, and reporting forms for eligible libraries, museums, and other organizations to apply for its funding and to report on performance of funded projects. The forms submitted for public review in this Notice are the Interim Performance Report and the Final Performance Report, with the instructions associated with each one. The collection of information using these forms is core to IMLS grant performance reporting requirements and monitoring processes.

This action is to renew the content, forms, and instructions for the next three years.

Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Title: 2025-2027 Grant Performance Report Forms.

OMB Control Number: 3137-0100.

Agency Number: 3137.

Respondents/Affected Public: Library and Museum grant program awardees.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 1200.

Frequency of Response: Once per request.

Estimated Average Burden Hours per Response: 12.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 14,400.

Total Annual Cost Burden: $482,688.

Total Annual Federal Costs: $103,200.

Public Comments Invited: Comments submitted in response to this Notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB's clearance of this information collection.

Title of Collection: DUE Project Data Form.

OMB Control No.: 3145-0201.

Abstract: The Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) Project Data Form is a component of all grant proposals submitted to NSF's Division of Undergraduate Education. This form collects information needed to direct proposals to appropriate reviewers and to report the estimated collective impact of proposed projects on institutions, students, and faculty members. Requested information includes the discipline of the proposed project, collaborating organizations involved in the project, the academic level on which the project focuses ( e.g., lower-level undergraduate courses, upper-level undergraduate courses), characteristics of the organization submitting the proposal, special audiences (if any) that the project would target ( e.g., women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities), strategic foci (if any) of the project ( e.g., research on teaching and learning, international activities, integration of research and education), and the number of students and faculty at different educational levels who would benefit from the project.

Respondents: Investigators who submit proposals to NSF's Division of Undergraduate Education.

Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 2,550.

Burden on the Public: 20 minutes (per response) for an annual total of 850 hours.

Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

By letter dated October 7, 2022, Cimarron Environmental Response Trust (CERT) submitted to the NRC an application (ADAMS Accession No. ML22284A145) to amend Special Nuclear Materials License No. SNM-928, which authorizes the possession of byproduct, source, and special nuclear material. The amendment requests approval of Revision 3 of the proposed facility decommissioning plan (DP) for the Cimarron facility in Guthrie, Oklahoma, and incorporation of DP, Revision 3, into its license, by license amendment. Revision 3 of the DP details the active groundwater remediation plans that specifically target areas for groundwater remediation where the concentration of uranium in groundwater exceeds the NRC criterion in License Condition 27.b. for unrestricted release. In addition, this amendment also revises the license to authorize the possession of Technetium-99 (TC-99) as a contaminant in groundwater, and to distinguish between the possession limit for “in-process” Uranium-235 (U-235) and U-235 in packaged waste that complies with fissile exemption criteria. The license amendment also clarifies the authorized place of use to include subsurface areas where the groundwater exceeds the NRC criterion, and areas where such licensed material will be transported or managed.

After receiving the application, the NRC published a notice of opportunity to request a hearing and to petition for leave to intervene, and in accordance with section 20.1405 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), requested comments (88 FR 33932). No comments or request for a hearing were submitted. Prior to issuing the amendment (ADAMS Package Accession No. ML24339A701), the NRC performed a review of the application with the determination documented in the Safety Evaluation Report (SER) (ADAMS Accession No. ML24264A155). The NRC also issued an environmental review of the application and published a Federal Register notice of the Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (89 FR 103880).

Upon completing its review of the application, the staff determined the request complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, as well as the NRC's rules and regulations. The NRC approved and issued Amendment 22 to SNM-928, held by CERT to incorporate the DP, Revision 3, into the CERT license. Pursuant to 10 CFR 2.106(a)(1), the NRC is providing notice of the action taken. Amendment 22 was effective as of the date of issuance, December 22, 2024.

Pursuant to 39 CFR 3041.405, the Commission gives notice that the Postal Service filed request(s) for the Commission to consider matters related to Competitive negotiated service agreement(s). The request(s) may propose the addition of a negotiated service agreement from the Competitive product list or the modification of an existing product currently appearing on the Competitive product list.

The public portions of the Postal Service's request(s) can be accessed via the Commission's website ( http://www.prc.gov ). Non-public portions of the Postal Service's request(s), if any, can be accessed through compliance with the requirements of 39 CFR 3011.301. 1

Section II identifies the docket number(s) associated with each Postal Service request, if any, that will be reviewed in a public proceeding as defined by 39 CFR 3010.101(p), the title of each such request, the request's acceptance date, and the authority cited by the Postal Service for each request. For each such request, the Commission appoints an officer of the Commission to represent the interests of the general public in the proceeding, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505 and 39 CFR 3000.114 (Public Representative). Section II also establishes comment deadline(s) pertaining to each such request.

The Commission invites comments on whether the Postal Service's request(s) identified in Section II, if any, are consistent with the policies of title 39. Applicable statutory and regulatory requirements include 39 U.S.C. 3632, 39 U.S.C. 3633, 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR part 3035, and 39 CFR part 3041. Comment deadline(s) for each such request, if any, appear in Section II.

Section III identifies the docket number(s) associated with each Postal Service request, if any, to add a standardized distinct product to the Competitive product list or to amend a standardized distinct product, the title of each such request, the request's acceptance date, and the authority cited by the Postal Service for each request. Standardized distinct products are negotiated service agreements that are variations of one or more Competitive products, and for which financial models, minimum rates, and classification criteria have undergone advance Commission review. See 39 CFR 3041.110(n); 39 CFR 3041.205(a). Such requests are reviewed in summary proceedings pursuant to 39 CFR 3041.325(c)(2) and 39 CFR 3041.505(f)(1). Pursuant to 39 CFR 3041.405(c)-(d), the Commission does not appoint a Public Representative or request public comment in proceedings to review such requests.

1. Docket No(s).: MC2025-1147 and K2025-1147; Filing Title: USPS Request to Add Priority Mail & USPS Ground Advantage Contract 598 to the Competitive Product List and Notice of Filing Materials Under Seal; Filing Acceptance Date: January 22, 2025; Filing Authority: 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR 3035.105, and 39 CFR 3041.310; Public Representative: Jennaca Upperman; Comments Due: January 30, 2025.

2. Docket No(s).: MC2025-1148 and K2025-1148; Filing Title: USPS Request to Add Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail & USPS Ground Advantage Contract 1320 to the Competitive Product List and Notice of Filing Materials Under Seal; Filing Acceptance Date: January 22, 2025; Filing Authority: 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR 3035.105, and 39 CFR 3041.310; Public Representative: Elsie Lee-Robbins; Comments Due: January 30, 2025.

3. Docket No(s).: MC2025-1149 and K2025-1149; Filing Title: USPS Request to Add Priority Mail & USPS Ground Advantage Contract 599 to the Competitive Product List and Notice of Filing Materials Under Seal; Filing Acceptance Date: January 22, 2025; Filing Authority: 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR 3035.105, and 39 CFR 3041.310; Public Representative: Christopher Mohr; Comments Due: January 30, 2025.

4. Docket No(s).: MC2025-1150 and K2025-1150; Filing Title: USPS Request to Add Priority Mail & USPS Ground Advantage Contract 600 to the Competitive Product List and Notice of Filing Materials Under Seal; Filing Acceptance Date: January 22, 2025; Filing Authority: 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR 3035.105, and 39 CFR 3041.310; Public Representative: Kenneth Moeller; Comments Due: January 30, 2025.

None. See Section II for public proceedings.

This Notice will be published in the Federal Register .

Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Request for Comments III. Ordering Paragraphs I. Introduction

Each year the Postal Service must submit to the Commission its most recent annual performance plan and annual performance report. 1 On December 30, 2024, the Postal Service filed its FY 2024 Annual Report to Congress in Docket No. ACR2024. 2 The FY 2024 Annual Report consists of four reports that include the Postal Service's FY 2024 annual performance report (FY 2024 Report) and FY 2025 annual performance plan (FY 2025 Plan). 3

The FY 2025 Plan reviews the Postal Service's plans for FY 2025. The FY 2024 Report discusses the Postal Service's progress during FY 2024 toward its four performance goals:

Each year, the Commission must evaluate whether the Postal Service met the performance goals established in the annual performance plan and annual performance report. 39 U.S.C. 3653(d). The Commission may also “provide recommendations to the Postal Service related to the protection or promotion of public policy objectives set out in” Title 39. Id.

Since Docket No. ACR2013, the Commission has evaluated whether the Postal Service met its performance goals in reports separate from the Annual Compliance Determination. 4 The Commission continues this current practice to provide a more in-depth analysis of the Postal Service's progress toward meeting its performance goals and plans to improve performance in future years. To facilitate this review, the Commission invites public comment on the following issues:

• Did the Postal Service meet its performance goals in FY 2024?

• Do the FY 2024 Report and the FY 2025 Plan meet applicable statutory requirements, including 39 U.S.C. 2803 and 2804?

• What recommendations should the Commission provide to the Postal Service that relate to protecting or promoting public policy objectives in Title 39?

• For the Excellent Customer Experience performance goal, are there any customer experience (CX) metrics the Postal Service should add to measure CX?  5

• What recommendations or observations should the Commission make concerning the Postal Service's strategic initiatives?  6

• What other matters are relevant to the Commission's analysis of the FY 2024 Report and the FY 2025 Plan under 39 U.S.C. 3653(d)?

Comments by interested persons are due no later than March 14, 2025. Reply comments are due no later than March 28, 2025. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Kenneth R. Moeller is appointed to serve as Public Representative to represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding with respect to issues related to the Commission's analysis of the FY 2024 Report and the FY 2025 Plan.

It is ordered:

1. The Commission invites public comment on the Postal Service's FY 2024 Report and FY 2025 Plan.

2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, the Commission appoints Kenneth R. Moeller to serve as Public Representative to represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding with respect to issues related to the Commission's analysis of the FY 2024 Report and the FY 2025 Plan.

3. Comments are due no later than March 14, 2025.

4. Reply comments are due no later than March 28, 2025.

5. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Order in the Federal Register .

For Applicants' representations, legal analysis, and conditions, please refer to Applicants' second amended and restated application, dated December 16, 2024, which may be obtained via the Commission's website by searching for the file number at the top of this document, or for an Applicant using the Company name search field, on the SEC's EDGAR system. The SEC's EDGAR system may be searched at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch. You may also call the SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy at (202) 551-8090.

Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for FAA's performance; (b) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for FAA to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (d) ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB's clearance of this information collection.

OMB Control Number: 2120-0684.

Title: Fractional Aircraft Ownership Programs.

Form Numbers: There are no FAA forms associated with this collection.

Type of Review: This is a renewal of an existing information collection.

Background: Each fractional ownership program manager and each fractional owner must comply with the requirements of 14 CFR part 91, subpart K. Information is used to determine if these entities are operating in accordance with the minimum safety standards of these regulations. The FAA will use the information it reviews and collects to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and make improvements as needed, and ensure compliance with and adherence to regulations.

Respondents: Eleven fractional ownership operators with 1,187 aircraft.

Frequency: On occasion.

Estimated Average Burden per Response: 1 hour, 20 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: Approximately 18,000 hours.

Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for FAA's performance; (b) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for FAA to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (d) ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB's clearance of this information collection.

OMB Control Number: 2120-0607

Title: Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996/Pilot Record Database

Form Numbers:

Web Based Forms & API Upload:

Type of Review: Renewal of an information collection.

Background: The Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996 (PRIA) as amended, was enacted to ensure that part 121, 125 and 135 air carriers and air operators adequately investigate a pilot's background before allowing that pilot to conduct commercial air carrier flights for their company. Under PRIA, a hiring employer cannot place a pilot into service until they obtain, review and approve the pilot's background and other safety-related records for the past 5 year period as specified in PRIA. The FAA information disclosed under PRIA are medical and airman certificate verifications and any closed enforcement and revocation data. The air carrier information disclosed under PRIA are those concerning pilot performance and training, disciplinary and removal from service, and drug and alcohol testing records. Records from the Department of Motor Vehicles of any particular State would include records of drug and alcohol convictions. Other records collections such as financial statements, fingerprints and failed check rides may be requested and received but they are outside the purview and scope of PRIA and would be requested using other vehicles than the PRIA forms. PRIA request forms can be received by fax or mail; however, the most common method is by email attachment, one pilot/applicant per one form. As set forth in 49 U.S.C. 44703(i)(1), under the Pilot Records Database (PRD), a hiring employer cannot place a pilot into service until the employer has evaluate all the relevant information in the PRD. PRD relies on a digital and centralized repository containing the pilot information. It also expands on the types of operators that must participate in the sharing of information than that of PRIA. The following official FAA-Records about a pilot are collected; airman certificates and associated ratings, accident and incident information, enforcement information, and drug and alcohol testing. There is also industry collected information about pilots which include; training, qualification, and proficiency Records, final disciplinary records, employment history, and the Motor Vehicle Driving record evaluation date. The PRD facilitates the sharing of pilot records among pilot employers in a clearinghouse managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In accordance with part 111, all 14 CFR part 121, 125, 135 certificate holders, 91K operators, air tour operators, and other specific entities operating under part 91 are required to access the PRD to either evaluate a pilot candidate prior to making a hiring decision or to report records. The PRD contains employer and FAA records on an individual's performance as a pilot for the life of the individual. Records contained within the database would only be permitted to be used as a hiring aid in an operator's decision-making process for pilot employment. The pilot has full control of who they release their PRD information to and for how long. Disclosure of their information can only be initiated by the pilot.

Respondents: Regarding PRIA, the PRIA representative at each part 121, 125 and 135 air carrier is responsible for completing, forwarding, receiving and providing the air carrier with the completed PRIA report so the air carrier can make a more informed hiring decision concerning each pilot/applicant. One complete PRIA package is required for every pilot/applicant. As of December 7, 2021, the FAA no longer processes PRIA requests via Form 8060-10, as this function became available through PRD. Prior to December 7, 2021, the FAA processes approximately 24,120 PRIA packages per year from respondents. Regarding PRD, the PRD representative at each certificate holder operating under part 121, 125, 135, 91K operators, air tour operators, and other specific entities operating under part 91 is responsible for completing and submitting the PRD employer records to PRD, for each pilot, through the Web based forms or API. Pilots who hold commercial, airline transport, or remote pilot certificates can access PRD and complete web-based forms concerning Employment History records reporting (#8) and Pilot Consent form (#10). If the pilot is unable to access the PRD, the pilot can submit hardcopies of FAA Forms 8060-14 and 8060-15 to prdsupport@faa.gov for processing by the FAA on their behalf. The FAA processes approximately 1,853 FAA forms 8060-14 and five FAA forms 8060-15 per year from respondents.

Frequency: On occasion.

Estimated Average Burden per Response: 0.07181 hours

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 385,367.92 hours.

DOT collects information regarding flight performance and mishandled baggage, wheelchairs, and scooters from the largest U.S. air carriers under 14 CFR part 234. The air carriers required to provide this information to DOT consist of the U.S. air carriers that accounted for at least half of one percent of domestic scheduled-passenger revenues (Reporting Carriers) as most recently determined by the DOT's Office of Airline Information. An air carrier that is not a Reporting Carrier may voluntarily submit the flight performance and mishandled baggage, wheelchairs, and scooters information to the Department pursuant to 14 CFR 234.7.

Specifically, Reporting Carriers must submit Part 234 On-time Performance reports to DOT with information on domestic flight operations and performance as described in 14 CFR 234.4. 1 In addition, under 14 CFR 234.6, Reporting Carriers must submit Part 234 Mishandled Baggage reports to DOT that include the following information for covered domestic flights: (1) the number of bags mishandled in its custody, (2) the number of bags enplaned into the aircraft cargo compartment, (3) the number of mishandled wheelchairs and scooters mishandled in its custody, and (4) the number of wheelchairs and scooters enplaned into the aircraft cargo compartment. 2 Each Reporting Carrier is required to report the flight performance and mishandled baggage, wheelchair, and scooter information to DOT on a monthly basis for the covered flights it operates and for any covered flights held out under the Reporting Carrier's code (as the only U.S. carrier code) and operated by a codeshare partner of the Reporting Carrier.

DOT uses the information reported by airlines to provide airline performance information and statistics on the BTS website and in the Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR), a monthly publication of DOT's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP). Air transportation consumers and other stakeholders use the information DOT publishes to understand and compare airlines' service quality performance, including airlines' rates of on-time performance and cancellation and rates of baggage and wheelchair and scooter mishandling.

DOT's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) uses data reported by airlines in Part 234 On-time Performance reports to analyze air traffic delays. Wheels-up and wheels-down times are used by the FAA in conjunction with departure and arrival times to show the extent of ground delays. Actual elapsed flight time (wheels-down minus wheels-up time) is compared by the FAA to scheduled elapsed flight time to identify airborne delays. The reporting of the aircraft tail number allows the FAA to track an aircraft through the air network, which enables the FAA to study the ripple effects of delays at hub airports. The data can be analyzed by the FAA for airport design changes, new equipment purchases, and the planning of new runways or airports based on current and projected airport delays and traffic levels. The identification of the reason for delays allows the FAA, airport operators, and air carriers to pinpoint delays under their control.

DOT is publishing this notice to announce its intent to request extension of the previously approved information collections described above under OMB Control Number 2138-0041. Without further action, OMB authorization of the information collections would expire March 25, 2025.

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, require Federal agencies to issue two notices seeking public comment on information collection activities before OMB may approve paperwork packages. A Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to monetary penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if the collection of information does not display a valid OMB Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.

For each of these information collections, the title, a description of the respondents, and an estimate of the annual recordkeeping and periodic reporting burden are set forth below.

Respondents: Certificated air carriers that account for at least half of one percent of the domestic scheduled-service passenger revenues are required to report flight performance data for flights that they operate as described in 14 CFR 234.4; Certificated air carriers that account for at least half of one percent of domestic scheduled-service passenger revenues that market code-share flights carrying the carrier's code as the only U.S. carrier code are required to report flight performance data for these code-share flights as described in 14 CFR 234.4; Air carriers may voluntarily report flight performance data pursuant to 14 CFR 234.7.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 15 air carriers (4 of which market codeshare flights).

Frequency: Monthly.

Estimated Average Burden per Response: 10 hours for each respondent to report for the flights operated by the respondent plus an additional 16 hours if the respondent reports for flights operated by code-share partners.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 2,568 hours (15 air carriers reporting the flight performance information for the flights they operate × 10 hours per response × 12 months = 1,800 hours) + (4 air carriers reporting the flight performance information for flights operated by their codeshare partners × 16 hours per response × 12 months = 768 hours). This estimate is based on the following information: 15 carriers reported the flight performance data for the flights they operated to DOT in calendar year 2019, 2020, and 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. Currently, 4 carriers report flight performance data to DOT for their codeshare operations.

DOT estimates that respondents will encounter on average a 10-hour burden per month to report flight performance data to DOT for the flights they operate. DOT estimates the respondents that market codeshare flights will encounter on average an additional burden of 16 hours per month to report flight performance data to DOT for their codeshare operations. The burden estimates include staff time to manage and process the data and to submit the report through DOT's electronic submission system.

Respondents: Certificated air carriers that account for at least half of one percent of the domestic scheduled-service passenger revenues are required to report mishandled baggage and wheelchairs and scooters data for flights that they operate as described in 14 CFR 234.6; Certificated air carriers that account for at least half of one percent of domestic scheduled-service passenger revenues that market code-share flights carrying the carrier's code as the only U.S. carrier code are required to report mishandled baggage and wheelchairs and scooters data for these code-share flights as described in 14 CFR 234.6; Air carriers may voluntarily report mishandled baggage and wheelchairs and scooters data pursuant to 14 CFR 234.7.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 15 air carriers (4 that market codeshare flights).

Frequency: Monthly.

Estimated Average Burden per Response: 10 hours for each respondent to report for the flights operated by the respondent plus an additional 16 hours if the respondent reports for flights operated by code-share partners.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 2,568 hours (15 air carriers reporting the mishandled baggage and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters information for flights they operate × 10 hours per response × 12 months = 1,800 hours) + (4 air carriers reporting the mishandled baggage and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters information for flights operated by their codeshare partners × 16 hours per response × 12 months = 768 hours) + (.00138 hours for manual data entry related to wheelchair or scooters × 12,000 manual entries = 17 hours). This estimate is based on the following information: 17 carriers reported mishandled baggage and wheelchair and scooter information to DOT in calendar year 2019, 2020, and 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. Currently, 4 carriers report mishandled baggage and wheelchair and scooter information to DOT for their codeshare operations.

DOT estimates that respondents will encounter on average 10-hours burden per month to report the mishandled baggage and wheelchair and scooter data to DOT for the flights they operate. DOT estimates that respondents that market codeshare flights will encounter on average an additional burden of 16 hours per month to report the mishandled baggage and wheelchair and scooter data to DOT for their codeshare operations. The burden estimates include staff time to manage and process the data and to submit the report through DOT's electronic submission system.

In addition, the estimated total annual burden is based on the assumption that most respondents employ automated processes to record that an item enplaned is a wheelchair or scooter for the purposes of reporting data on wheelchairs and scooters to DOT. For a carrier that manually records this information, such as by having their agent type information describing a wheelchair or scooter into the airline's system, DOT estimates that the airline would spend approximately 5 seconds (.00138 hours) per item to manually enter the data. 3 DOT estimates that 12,000 Wheelchairs and scooters total are recorded manually per year.

The Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501) requires a statistical agency to clearly identify information it collects for non-statistical purposes. BTS hereby notifies the respondents and the public that BTS uses the information it collects under this OMB approval for non-statistical purposes including, but not limited to, publication of both respondent's identity and its data, submission of the information to agencies outside BTS for review, analysis and possible use in regulatory and other administrative matters.

We invite comments on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of DOT, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of DOT's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents.

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record on the docket.

The SDN List and additional information concerning OFAC sanctions programs are available on OFAC's website: https://ofac.treasury.gov.

On January 17, 2025, OFAC determined that the property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of the following person are blocked under the relevant sanctions authority listed below.

The IRS is currently seeking comments concerning the following information collection tools, reporting, and record-keeping requirements:

Title: Distilled Spirits Credit.

OMB Number: 1545-1982.

Form Number: Form 8906.

Abstract: Form 8906, Distilled Spirits Credit, was developed to carry out the provisions of IRC section 5011(a). This section allows eligible wholesalers and persons subject to IRC section 5055 an income tax credit for the average cost of carrying excise tax on bottled distilled spirits. The form provides a means for the eligible taxpayer to compute the amount of credit. The burden for this information collection represents estate and trust filers and tax-exempt filers. The burden for individual filers is covered under 1545-0074, and the burden for business filers is covered under 1545-0123.

Current Actions: There is no change to the existing collection. However, the burden for individual filers and business filers is being removed to avoid duplication.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Individuals and households, and Not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Number of Responses: 5.

Estimated Time per Respondent: 1 hour, 52 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 9.

The following paragraph applies to all of the collections of information covered by this notice:

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103.

Request for Comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

1. Title: Survey of Foreign-Residents' Holdings of U.S. Securities.

OMB Control Number: 1505-0123.

Type of Request: Extension without change of a currently approved collection.

Description: The survey collects information on foreign resident's holdings of U.S. securities, including selected money market instruments. The data is used in the computation of the U.S. balance of payments accounts and U.S. international investment position, in the formulation of U.S. financial and monetary policies, to satisfy 22 U.S.C. 3101, and for information on foreign portfolio investment patterns. Respondents are primarily the largest banks, securities dealers, and issuers of U.S. securities.

Form: SHL/SHLA, Schedules 1 and 2.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profits.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 347.

Frequency of Response: Annual.

Estimated Total Number of Annual Responses: 347.

Estimated Time per Response: 155 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 54,088.

2. Title: Survey of U.S. Ownership of Foreign Securities.

OMB Control Number: 1505-0146.

Type of Request: Extension without change of a currently approved collection.

Description: The survey collects information on U.S. holdings of foreign securities. The information is used in the computation of the U.S. balance of payments accounts and international investments position, as well as in the formulation of U.S. financial and monetary policies. This survey is also part of an international effort coordinated by the IMF to improve worldwide balance of payments statistics. Respondents are primarily the largest custodians of securities, banks, securities dealers, and investors.

Form: TIC-SHC/SHCA.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profits.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 336.

Frequency of Response: Annual, On occasion.

Estimated Total Number of Annual Responses: 457.

Estimated Time per Response: 140 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 64,146.

3. Title: Treasury International Capital (TIC) Form D: Report of Holdings of, and Transactions in, Financial Derivatives Contracts with Foreign Residents.

OMB Control Number: 1505-0199.

Type of Request: Extension without change of a currently approved collection.

Description: Form D is required by law and is designed to collect timely information on International portfolio capital movements, including U.S. residents' holdings of, and transactions in, financial derivatives contracts with foreign residents. The information is used in the computation of the U.S. balance of payments accounts and international investment position, as well as in the formulation of U.S. International financial and monetary policies.

Form: TIC Form D.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profits.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 31.

Frequency of Response: Quarterly.

Estimated Total Number of Annual Responses: 124.

Estimated Time per Response: 30 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,720.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

Title: CARES Act Loan and Payroll Support Programs for Air Carriers and Other Eligible Businesses.

OMB Control Number: 1505-0263.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Description: On March 27, 2020, the President signed the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” or the “CARES Act” (Pub. L. 116-136), which provides emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides emergency appropriations to support executive branch agency operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to make loans, loan guarantees, and other investments that do not exceed $500 billion in the aggregate to provide liquidity to eligible businesses, States, and municipalities related to losses incurred as a result of coronavirus. Section 4003(b)(1)-(3) authorized the Secretary to make loans and loan guarantees available to passenger air carriers and cargo air carriers, as well as certain related businesses, and businesses critical to maintaining national security. Section 4112 authorized the Secretary to provide payroll support totaling $32 billion to air carriers and certain contractors (PSP1). While Treasury is no longer accepting loan program or PSP1 applications, both programs include ongoing compliance reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

On December 27, 2020, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 or the “Appropriations Act,” which provides additional emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Subtitle A of Title IV of Division N of the Appropriations Act (the PSP Extension Law) authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance totaling $16 billion to passenger air carriers and certain contractors (PSP2).

On March 11, 2021, the President signed the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021, which provided additional emergency assistance and economic relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Subtitle C of Title VII of the American Rescue Plan Act authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance totaling $15 billion to passenger air carriers and certain contractors that received financial assistance under PSP2 (PSP3).

As part of the loan, PSP1, PSP2, and PSP3 agreements, applicants will need to maintain records for a period of five years or more, depending on the agreement type and period of performance, as well as submit quarterly compliance reports and other documentation as requested to ensure funding is used in accordance with the agreements, aid statutory reporting requirements, and respond to audit requests.

Form: Applications, Agreements, and associated Forms; Compliance Reporting Forms.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profits.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 691.

Frequency of Response: Quarterly; as requested.

Estimated Total Number of Annual Responses: 2,764.

Estimated Time per Response: 4.25 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 11,747.

Request for Comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services required to provide information.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

Title: IRS Customer Satisfaction Surveys.

OMB Number: 1545-2250.

Abstract: Surveys conducted under this clearance are used by the Internal Revenue Service to determine levels of customer satisfaction as well as determining issues that contribute to customer burden. This information will be used to make quality improvements to products and services. Collecting, analyzing, and using customer opinion data is a vital component of IRS's Balanced Measures Approach, as mandated by Internal Revenue Service Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 and Executive Order 12862.

Current Actions: This is a renewal request. There are currently no changes planned. Any updates will be included with the submission package. It is estimated that 60,000 burden hours will be used over the course of the next three years.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Individuals or households, businesses, and other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Responses: 118,000.

Estimated Time per Respondent: 7 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 13,913.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

Title: Survey of Healthcare Experiences of Patients—Dental Care Patient Satisfaction Survey (DPSS) (VA Form 10-10070).

OMB Control Number: 2900-0764. https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRASearch .

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: The mission of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is to provide high quality medical and dental care to eligible veterans. Executive Order 12862, dated September 11, 1993, calls for the establishment and implementation of customer service standards, and for agencies to “survey customers to determine the kind and quality of services they want and their level of satisfaction with current services.” The overall purpose of the Dental Care Patient Satisfaction Survey (DPSS) is to systematically obtain information from patients, which can be used to identify problems or complaints that need attention and to improve the quality of dental health care services.

This information will be collected through the DPSS, VA Form 10-10070, and may be submitted either on paper or electronically by Veterans. The DPSS questions have minor changes, to include updates to the Race and Ethnicity data collection fields to reflect current requirements. VHA also is prepared to implement an additional mode of collecting the information utilizing a web-based access system for Veterans to submit the survey responses. Information obtained from this dental survey will be made readily available to VA Central Office (VACO), Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), VHA field staff, and stakeholders as part of the Network Performance Report and via the VA Intranet. This data will be used to demonstrate that VA is providing timely, high quality dental health care services to patients and to measure improvement toward performance goals.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published at 89 FR 92740, November 22, 2024.

Affected Public: Individuals or Households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 12,600 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 15 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Once annually.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 50,400.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.