[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 20 (Wednesday, January 31, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4490-4491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1521]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Public Meeting on the Influence of European Standards in the 
Middle East and North Africa

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Engage stakeholders in a dialogue on the increased use of 
European standards in the Middle East and North Africa and market 
access for U.S. exporters. Invite public comment on this subject.

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SUMMARY: The use of European standards in the Middle East and North 
Africa is growing. The European Union (EU) is providing technical 
assistance and building ties to harmonize regulations and standards so 
as to facilitate trade between the EU and these regions. This meeting 
will provide U.S. industry an opportunity to exchange their experiences 
and express their views on this subject.

DATES: The date of the meeting is Thursday, February 15, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by any of the following 
methods:
     E-mail: [email protected].
     Fax: 202-482-0878.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2029B, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 
2029B, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Derstine, Room 2029B, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230, (202) 482-1870.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For more than ten years the European 
Commission has offered technical assistance to a broad group of 
countries in institution building, developing regulatory and 
administrative infrastructure, and support for conformity assessment, 
market surveillance, and metrology organizations. Europe's financial 
and technical support makes countries more

[[Page 4491]]

open to using European standards and facilitates two-way trade between 
these markets. Ties between the EU and specific markets in the region 
are also being solidified through partnership agreements with CEN, the 
European Committee for Standardization, and through affiliate 
membership in CENELEC, the European Committee for Electrotechnical 
Standardization. CEN's Partner Standardization Body (PSB) agreements, 
which some Middle Eastern and North African countries are considering 
signing, typically have a clause that requires signatories to withdraw 
conflicting national standards from the market. Israel is considering a 
partnership agreement with CEN and an affiliation with CENELEC. Egypt 
and Tunisia are the only other Middle East or North African countries 
known to have signed a partnership agreement with CEN. Tunisia is also 
an affiliate of CENELEC.
    The Department of Commerce cordially invites all interested 
stakeholders to attend a public meeting on the presence of European 
standards in the Middle East and North Africa. The meeting is an 
opportunity for interested parties to provide information and input to 
the U.S. government on how this trend in standardization affects market 
access for U.S. goods in the region. Key government officials working 
directly on this issue from various agencies will be in attendance.
    Date: Thursday, February 15, 2007.
    Time: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
    Where: U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, 
NW.
    To gain access to the Department of Commerce, please RSVP by noon 
on Wednesday, February 14, 2007, to Jennifer Derstine at (202) 482-1870 
or [email protected].
    The agenda will be provided at the meeting. Further information is 
available on the Department of Commerce Standards Initiative Web site 
at: http://www.trade.gov/standards.

    Dated: January 25, 2007.
Jennifer Derstine,
Senior International Trade Specialist.
 [FR Doc. E7-1521 Filed 1-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DA-P