[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 2, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39419-39420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18996]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-364]


Certain Miscellaneous Products: Probable Effect of Certain 
Modifications to the North American Free Trade Agreement Rules of 
Origin

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 24, 1995.

SUMMARY: Following receipt on July 17, 1995, of a request from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-364, Certain Miscellaneous Products: Probable 
Effect of Certain Modifications to the North American Free Trade 
Agreement Rules of Origin, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 
1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information may be obtained from David 
Lundy, Office of Industries (202-205-3439) or Donita Marakovits, Office 
of Industries (202-205-3430); and on legal aspects, from William 
Gearhart, Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091). The media 
should contact Margaret O'Laughlin, Office of Public Affairs (202-205-
1819). Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on 
this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD terminal (202-205-
1810).

BACKGROUND: Chapter 4 and Annex 401 of the North American Free Trade 
Agreement (NAFTA), which entered into force on January 1, 1994, contain 
the rules of origin for application of the tariff provisions of the 
NAFTA to trade in goods.
    Section 202(q) of the North American Free Trade Agreement 
Implementation Act (the Act) authorizes the President, subject to the 
consultation and layover requirements of section 103 of the Act, to 
proclaim such modifications to the rules as may from time to time be 
agreed to by the NAFTA countries. One of the requirements set out in 
section 103 of the Act is that the President obtain advice, regarding 
any proposed modification in the Rules contained in Annex 401 of the 
Act, from the United States International Trade Commission.
    In its report the Commission will, as requested by the USTR in his 
letter received on July 17, 1995, provide advice on the probable effect 
of the proposed modifications to the rules of origin that are attached 
to the letter. As requested, the Commission will provide such advice by 
September 15, 1995. Copies of the proposed revised rules, which cover 
certain goods described in Chapters 1 through 97 of the Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States, will be available from the Office 
of the Secretary at the Commission or from the Commission's Internet 
server (http://www.usitc.gov or ftp://ftp.usitc.gov).
    In a previous request dated May 5, 1995, the USTR requested the 
Commission to provide advice on the probable effect of modifications to 
the NAFTA rules of origin pertaining to certain chemicals and chemical 
products. In response, the Commission instituted investigation No. 332-
363, Chemicals and Chemical Products: Probable Effect of Certain 
Modifications to North American Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin 
Pertaining to Such Products; the Commission's report on that 
investigation will be provided to the USTR by September 5, 1995.

PUBLIC HEARING: A public hearing in connection with the investigation 
will be held at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E 
Street SW., Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on August 16, 1995. 
All persons shall 

[[Page 39420]]
have the right to appear, by counsel or in person, to present 
information and to be heard. Requests to appear at the public hearing 
should be filed with the Secretary, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 
p.m. on August 7, 1995. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) 
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., August 9, 1995; the deadline 
for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., August 21, 
1995. In the event that, as of the close of business on August 7, 1995, 
no witnesses are scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing will 
be canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an 
observer or non-participant may call the Secretary to the Commission 
(202-205-2000) after August 7, 1995, to determine whether the hearing 
will be held.

WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS: In lieu of or in addition to participating in the 
hearing, interested parties are invited to submit written statements 
(original and 14 copies) concerning the matters to be addressed by the 
Commission in its report on this investigation. Commercial or financial 
information that a submitter desires the Commission to treat as 
confidential must be submitted on separate sheets of paper, each 
clearly marked ``Confidential Business Information'' at the top. All 
submissions requesting confidential treatment must conform with the 
requirements of section Sec. 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of 
Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). All written submissions, except 
for confidential business information, will be made available in the 
Office of the Secretary of the Commission for inspection by interested 
parties. To be assured of consideration by the Commission, written 
statements relating to the Commission's report should be submitted to 
the Commission at the earliest practical date and should be received no 
later than the close of business on August 21, 1995. All submissions 
should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436.
    Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance 
in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the 
Secretary at 202-205-2000.

    Issued: July 25, 1995.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-18996 Filed 8-1-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P