[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 14, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5802-5803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3290]



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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-366]


Country of Origin Marking: Review of Laws, Regulations, and 
Practices

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: February 5, 1996.

SUMMARY: Following receipt on January 11, 1996, of a request from the 
Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives, the 
Commission instituted Investigation No. 332-366, Country of Origin 
Marking: Review of Laws, Regulations, and Practices, under section 
332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)). As requested by 
the Committee, the Commission will provide a report that will include 
the following:
    (1) A legislative and administrative history of U.S. marking rules, 
including a comparison of the concepts and approaches for determining 
country of origin for foreign and domestic goods;
    (2) An analysis of the administrative processes in the United 
States for determining origin and appealing decisions on marking 
issues; and
    (3) An evaluation of the problems which the country of origin 
marking rules create for industry, and the benefits of these rules to 
consumers, including the costs to government and industry of 
enforcement and compliance.
    As requested by the Committee, the Commission in its investigation 
will focus on the industries producing electronics, steel, 
pharmaceuticals, hand tools, and frozen vegetables; other industries 
where information is available will be studied as well. Staff will 
contact U.S. producers and consumer groups to identify those that have 
major concerns or interests regarding country of origin marking 
requirements. Committee staff has indicated that this should include 
problems, as identified by industry and other sources in the course of 
the investigation, with foreign country of origin marking requirements. 
The Commission expects to submit its report of the investigation to the 
Committee by July 11, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General information on the 
investigation may be obtained from Dennis Fravel, Office of Industries 
(202-205-3404) or Mark Paulson, Office of Industries (202-205-3429); 
and legal aspects of section 332 investigations, 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 on (202-205-1810).

BACKGROUND: In its letter, the Committee noted that it had held 
hearings in July 1995, on the issues of rules of origin and country of 
origin markings for both foreign and domestic goods. The Committee 
noted that views expressed at the hearings ranged widely, and included 
requests to modify or eliminate country of origin marking requirements, 
and also to harmonize rules for domestic and imported goods.
    This investigation will focus on country of origin markings, 
including certain rule of origin issues that directly effect country of 
origin marking. International rules of origin issues are currently 
being examined in the Commission's Investigation No. 332-360, 
International Harmonization of Customs Rules of Origin, instituted in 
April 1995 at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative. The 
Commission's proposed rules and analysis pertaining to harmonized rules 
of origin will be published at various intervals in the Federal 
Register.

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 April 10, 1996. 
The Commission requests that testimony focus on the issues noted in the 
SUMMARY section above. All persons shall have the right 

[[Page 5803]]
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, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 p.m., March 20, 1996. Any 
prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed not later 
than 5:15 p.m., March 27, 1996; the deadline for filing post-hearing 
briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., April 25, 1996. In the event that, 
as of the close of business on March 27, 1996, 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 (202-205-1816) 
after March 27, 1996, 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 
concerning the matters to be addressed by the Commission in its report 
on this investigation. The Commission requests that written submissions 
focus on the issues noted in the SUMMARY section above. 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 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure (19 C.F.R. 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 April 25, 1996. All submissions 
should be addressed to the Secretary, U.S. 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: February 6, 1996.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-3290 Filed 2-13-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P