[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3004]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 9, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
 

Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee; Working Group on Product 
Standards and Certification; Request for Public Comment on 
Recommendation to Reduce Barriers to Exports Related to Product 
Standards and Certification

AGENCY: Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee, Working Group on 
Product Standards and Certification.

ACTION: Request for public comment on recommendation to review programs 
in order to reduce regulatory barriers to exports related to product 
standards and certification.

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SUMMARY: The Interagency Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee's 
Working Group on Product Standards and Certification invites written 
comments from the public on a recommendation to review regulatory and 
procurement programs to identify outdated or unnecessary restrictions 
to exports related to product standards and certification.

DATES: Written comments from the public are due on or before May 10, 
1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles M. Ludolph, Director, Office 
of European Community Affairs, room 3036, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
Washington, DC 20230, (202)482-5276.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Government's Trade Promotion 
Coordinating Committee (TPCC) established a working group to implement 
recommendations which would promote U.S. exports and reduce barriers to 
exporting related to product standards and certification. These 
recommendations were included in the TPCC's first report to Congress, 
entitled ``Toward a National Export Strategy'' and dated September 30, 
1993. The working group has determined that public views on the 
implementation of Recommendation Number 8 would be useful. This 
recommendation charges the TPCC member departments and agencies to: 
Review regulatory programs to identify outdated or unnecessary 
restrictions to exports and implement appropriate modifications.
    The TPCC Report explains the purpose of this recommendation as 
follows:
    This review is designed to reduce the impact of regulations on 
exports, while maintaining the domestic level of health and safety 
protection. For example, prior to 1986, the Federal Food, Drug and 
Cosmetic Act did not allow U.S. firms to export pharmaceuticals that 
had not received approval for marketing from the FDA. However, the Drug 
Export Act amendments of 1986 established provisions that permit such 
exports, subject to certain restrictions, including notification by the 
government of the importing country that the products meet its 
requirements.
    Comments from the public should identify any regulatory programs 
dealing with safety, consumer information, environment, and procurement 
which are outdated or are unnecessary restrictions to exports related 
to product standards and certification.
    The TPCC was established pursuant to section 201 of the Export 
Enhancement Act of 1992 (19 U.S.C. para 4727). The TPCC Working Group 
on Product Standards and Certification is an informal working group of 
the TPCC charged with identifying means to implement the 
recommendations embodied in the TPCC report and has no regulatory 
authority. Therefore, any comments received from the public will not be 
construed as a petition for change. No commenter is required to provide 
specific information other than that necessary for self-identification. 
Copies of the TPCC Report can be reviewed in room 3314, Office of 
European Community Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington DC 
20230.
    Comments must be filed by May 10, 1994 with Charles Ludolph, 
Director, Office of European Community Affairs, room 3036, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Washington, 
D.C. 20230.

    Dated: February 3, 1994.
Charles M. Ludolph,
Director, Office of European Community Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-3004 Filed 2-8-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-OA-P