[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 159 (Monday, August 18, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 43958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21742]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

19 CFR Part 134

RIN 1515-AB61


Country of Origin Marking Requirements for Frozen Imported 
Produce

AGENCY: Customs Service, Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; additional comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document provides interested members of the public an 
additional 60 days to submit written comments on a proposal to amend 
the Customs Regulations regarding the country of origin marking of 
imported frozen produce. The proposed amendment would revise the 
regulations to mandate front panel marking of imported frozen produce.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 17, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Written comments (preferably in triplicate) may be addressed 
to the Regulations Branch, Office of Regulations and Rulings, U.S. 
Customs Service, Franklin Court, 1301 Constitution Ave., N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20229. Comments submitted may be inspected at the 
Regulations Branch, Office of Regulations and Rulings, U.S. Customs 
Service, Franklin Court, 1099 14th Street, N.W., Suite 4000, 
Washington, D.C.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Cohen, Special Classification 
and Marking Branch, Office of Regulations and Rulings (202-482-6980).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On July 23, 1996, Customs published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(61 FR 38119) soliciting comments on a proposal to require that the 
country of origin of frozen imported produce be marked on the front 
panel of their retail packages to comply with the statutory requirement 
that the country of origin marking be in a ``conspicuous place.'' On 
September 23, 1996, the comment period closed.
    Subsequent to the close of the comment period, Customs received a 
large number of additional comments and other correspondence concerning 
this matter. In order to afford Customs an appropriate opportunity to 
consider the points raised in those comments and other correspondence 
received outside the prescribed comment period, and in order to provide 
an additional opportunity for the general public to submit comments on 
this matter which continues to engender significant interest, Customs 
has decided to reopen this matter for public comment for 60 more days. 
In order to ensure consideration of the most complete record possible, 
Customs will, after the close of the new public comment period, give 
consideration to all comments and other correspondence already received 
during or after the original comment period as well as all comments 
received during the new public comment period herein. Accordingly, 
there is no need to re-submit copies of any comments previously 
submitted to Customs with respect to this proposed rulemaking.

    Dated: August 12, 1997.
George J. Weise,
Commissioner of Customs.
[FR Doc. 97-21742 Filed 8-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P