[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 102 (Tuesday, May 29, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29485-29486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-10249]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Organizing ``Green Manufacturing Day'' for U.S. Businesses; 
Comment Request

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The International Trade Administration proposes to organize a 
``Green Manufacturing Day'', aimed at enhancing public-private 
interaction in the field of sustainable manufacturing. This notice 
seeks public input on areas of interest for discussion at the proposed 
``Green Manufacturing Day''.

DATES: Submit comments no later than 30 days after the date of this 
notice.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice and requests to 
participate to William McElnea, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2213, 
1401 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William McElnea, 202-482-2831.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sustainable manufacturing has garnered 
increasing attention among the manufacturing industry as firms have 
recognized its cost-effectiveness and profitability. For the purposes 
of this notice, ``sustainable manufacturing'' is defined as the 
creation of manufactured products that use processes that are non-
polluting, conserve energy and natural resources, are economically 
sound, and safe for employees, communities, and consumers. At this 
early stage in sustainable manufacturing's development, increased 
public-private interaction can be an effective means for government and 
industry to (a) identify the opportunities and challenges faced by 
manufacturers in pursuing sustainable production practices and (b) 
promote capacity-building among individual firms and industry sectors 
as a whole.
    The purpose of the proposed ``Green Manufacturing Day'', 
tentatively scheduled for September 2007, will be to: (1) Disseminate 
and promote best business practices in sustainable manufacturing, (2) 
assist small-and-medium-sized enterprises in identifying and 
implementing practical sustainable manufacturing solutions, (3) provide 
information on relevant emerging technologies, (4) educate participants 
on federal government efforts to promote sustainable manufacturing, and 
(5) provide information on international sustainable manufacturing 
initiatives, projects, and opportunities. The event will include 
presenters/speakers from a variety of stakeholder groups (i.e. private 
sector, government and academia) on a variety of topics relating to 
sustainable manufacturing.
    Topic areas covered may include, but are not limited to, industrial 
recycling, natural resource conservation, water supply and waste-water 
treatment, solid-waste management, hazardous waste management, 
environmental assessment, environmental accounting, lean and clean 
manufacturing, regulatory compliance, renewable energy, 
remanufacturing, refurbishing/reconditioning, environmental technology 
research and development, and air pollution control.

[[Page 29486]]

    In preparation for the proposed event, the U.S. Department of 
Commerce is requesting feedback from the public on the following:
     Topic areas of interest to U.S. businesses with regard to 
sustainable manufacturing (responses may reference those topic areas 
mentioned above or other related topic areas not mentioned);
     The types of information U.S. businesses seek in these 
topic areas (e.g. best and/or most cost-effective practices, government 
policies/programs, new technologies, international efforts/
opportunities, metrics used for evaluation, etc.) Specific feedback on 
the following will also be welcome:
     Sustainable manufacturing implementation issues affecting 
small and medium-sized enterprises;
     Emerging technologies for clean manufacturing that are 
technologically-proven, but are not yet widely recognized or used;
     Federal government practices or voluntary programs that 
have been particularly useful in promoting clean or sustainable 
manufacturing or business practices.

    Dated: May 22, 2007.
William McElnea,
International Economist, Office of Trade Policy Analysis.
[FR Doc. E7-10249 Filed 5-25-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P