[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 10362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5462]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Export Administration


Export Procedures for Non-parties to the Chemical Weapons 
Convention (CWC) and Exports of Schedule 1 Chemicals Proposed 
Collection; Comment Request

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 4, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Stephen Baker, Department of Commerce, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue, NW, room 6877, Washington, DC, 20230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is a multilateral arms 
control treaty that seeks to achieve an international ban on chemical 
weapons (CW). The CWC was signed by the United States in Paris on 
January 13, 1993, and was submitted by President Clinton to the United 
States Senate on November 23, 1993, for its advice and consent to 
ratification. The CWC prohibits, inter alia, the use, development, 
production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, and direct or indirect 
transfer of chemical weapons.
    The U.S. is under obligation by this international treaty to impose 
certain trade controls and notify the Organization for Prohibition of 
Chemical Weapons (OPCW) of exports of all Schedule 1 chemicals. 
Therefore, the Bureau of Export Administration will require exporters 
to obtain an End-Use Certificate, issued by government of the importing 
country, prior to export of all Schedule 2 and 3 chemicals to countries 
not party to the CWC. BXA will also require prior notification of all 
exports of Schedule 1 chemicals to CWC States Parties, and annual 
reports of such exports.

II. Method of Collection

    Written notification and recordkeeping.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Submission for new collection.
    Affected Public: Individuals, businesses or other for-profit and 
not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 350.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2 hours per response.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 700.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0 (no capital expenditures are 
required).

IV. Request for 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 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(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, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this 
information collection; they will also become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated: February 26, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-5462 Filed 3-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-33-P