80 FR 60731 - Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Results of the GSP Limited Product Review, Including Actions Related to Competitive Need Limitations (CNLs)
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 194 (October 7, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 194 (October 7, 2015)
| Page Range | 60731-60732 | |
| FR Document | 2015-25548 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 194 (Wednesday, October 7, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 60731-60732] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-25548] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Results of the GSP Limited Product Review, Including Actions Related to Competitive Need Limitations (CNLs) AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces the results of the GSP Limited Product Review launched in July 2015, including: (1) The designation of certain cotton products as eligible for GSP benefits when imported from least- developed beneficiary developing countries (LDBDCs), and (2) the results of the review of CNL-related issues arising from 2014 import data, including CNL waivers, CNL waiver revocations, requests for redesignation of certain products, and de minimis CNL waivers. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aimee Larsen, Director for GSP, Office of the United States Trade Representative. The telephone number is (202) 395-2974, the fax number is (202) 395-9674, and the email address is [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The GSP program provides for the duty-free treatment of designated articles when imported from beneficiary developing countries. The GSP program is authorized by Title V of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2461 et seq.), as amended, and is implemented in accordance with Executive Order 11888 of November 24, 1975, as modified by subsequent Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations. The GSP program expired on July 31, 2013. GSP was reauthorized on June 29, 2015, by the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015. The GSP program is now effective through December 31, 2017, with retroactive effect through July 31, 2013. Pursuant to the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015, exclusions from GSP duty-free treatment where CNLs have been exceeded for calendar year 2014 will be effective October 1, 2015, unless granted a waiver by the President. Results of the GSP Limited Product Review Pursuant to Section 203 of the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015, the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) conducted a limited GSP review encompassing products that, based on full-year 2014 import data, are subject to CNL-related actions, including exclusions, waivers, and revocation of waivers, as well as redesignations. As part of this review, the TPSC considered: (1) Petitions to waive CNLs for two products from Thailand; (2) revocation of CNL waivers for three products from beneficiary countries where 2014 imports exceeded certain statutory limits; (3) requests for redesignation of products previously excluded from GSP eligibility for certain beneficiary countries; and (4) products eligible for de minimis waivers of CNLs. As part of this review, the TPSC also considered the possible designation of certain cotton products for eligibility for GSP benefits when imported from LDBDCs under the GSP program. In a Presidential Proclamation dated September 30, 2015, the President implemented his decisions regarding GSP product eligibility issues arising out of this GSP product review, including CNL waivers and CNL revocations. This notice provides further information on the results of the GSP Limited Product Review. These results, comprising five lists, are available for the public to view at http://www.regulations.gov in docket USTR-2015-0007, under ``Supporting and Related Materials'' and at https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/preference-programs/generalized-system-preferences-gsp/current-reviews/gsp-20142015. Specific Results The President designated five upland cotton fiber products as eligible for duty-free treatment under GSP when imported from LDBDCs. See List I (Products Added to the List of Eligible Products for GSP for Least Developed Beneficiary Developing Countries). This designation is pursuant to the authority granted to the President in Section 202 of the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 and consistent with USTR's December 2011 announcement of trade initiatives intended to enable least-developed countries to benefit more fully from global trade. The President granted petitions for waivers of CNLs for two products from Thailand: (1) Coconuts otherwise prepared or preserved (HTS 2008.19.15) and (2) copper alloys (other than brass, cupro-nickel or nickel-silver), wire, [[Page 60732]] coated or plated with metal (HTS 7408.29.10). See List II (Decision on Petitions to Grant Waiver of the Competitive Need Limitation). Additionally, the President revoked existing CNL waivers for three products: (1) Certain plywood sheets (HTS 4412.31.40) from Indonesia; (2) certain copper, stranded wire (HTS 7413.00.10) from Turkey; and (3) certain copper cables and plaited bands (HTS 7413.00.50) from Turkey. See List III (Revocations of Competitive Need Limitation Waivers). The President also redesignated certain articles from GSP-eligible countries that had previously exceeded the CNLs, but had fallen below the CNL for total annual trade in 2014. The President redesignated as GSP-eligible: (1) Oilcake and other solid residues, resulting from the extraction of vegetable fats or oils, of sunflower seeds (HTS 2306.30.00) from Ukraine; (2) rare gases, other than argon (HTS 2804.29.00) from Ukraine; (3) insulated ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or ships (HTS 8544.30.00) from Indonesia; and (4) parts of railway/tramway locomotives/rolling stock, axles (HTS 8607.19.03) from Ukraine. See List IV (Products Receiving GSP Redesignation). The President granted de minimis waivers to 98 articles that exceeded the 50-percent import-share CNL, but for which the aggregate value of all U.S. imports of that article was below the 2014 de minimis level of $22 million. See List V (Products Receiving De Minimis Waivers). The articles for which de minimis waivers were granted will continue to be eligible for duty-free treatment under GSP when imported from the associated countries. William D. Jackson, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for the Generalized System of Preferences and Chair of the GSP Subcommittee of the Trade Policy Staff Committee Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. [FR Doc. 2015-25548 Filed 10-6-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3290-F6-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 194 / Wednesday, October 7, 2015 / Notices 60731
ACTION: Notice. Dated: September 29, 2015. Results of the GSP Limited Product
Maria Contreras-Sweet, Review
SUMMARY: This is a notice of an
Administrator. Pursuant to Section 203 of the Trade
Administrative declaration of a disaster
for the State of FLORIDA dated 09/29/ [FR Doc. 2015–25454 Filed 10–6–15; 8:45 am] Preferences Extension Act of 2015, the
2015. BILLING CODE 8025–01–P Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC)
Incident: Severe storms and flooding. conducted a limited GSP review
Incident Period: 07/25/2015 through encompassing products that, based on
08/09/2015. full-year 2014 import data, are subject to
Effective Date: 09/29/2015. OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES CNL-related actions, including
TRADE REPRESENTATIVE exclusions, waivers, and revocation of
Physical Loan Application Deadline
waivers, as well as redesignations. As
Date: 11/30/2015.
Generalized System of Preferences part of this review, the TPSC
Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan (GSP): Results of the GSP Limited considered: (1) Petitions to waive CNLs
Application Deadline Date: 06/29/2016. Product Review, Including Actions for two products from Thailand; (2)
ADDRESSES: Submit completed loan Related to Competitive Need revocation of CNL waivers for three
applications to: U.S. Small Business Limitations (CNLs) products from beneficiary countries
Administration, Processing and where 2014 imports exceeded certain
Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport AGENCY: Office of the United States statutory limits; (3) requests for
Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. Trade Representative. redesignation of products previously
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A. excluded from GSP eligibility for certain
ACTION: Notice.
Escobar, Office of Disaster Assistance, beneficiary countries; and (4) products
U.S. Small Business Administration, eligible for de minimis waivers of CNLs.
409 3rd Street SW., Suite 6050, SUMMARY: This notice announces the
As part of this review, the TPSC also
Washington, DC 20416. results of the GSP Limited Product
considered the possible designation of
Review launched in July 2015,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is certain cotton products for eligibility for
including: (1) The designation of certain
hereby given that as a result of the GSP benefits when imported from
cotton products as eligible for GSP
Administrator’s disaster declaration, LDBDCs under the GSP program.
benefits when imported from least-
applications for disaster loans may be In a Presidential Proclamation dated
developed beneficiary developing
filed at the address listed above or other September 30, 2015, the President
countries (LDBDCs), and (2) the results
locally announced locations. implemented his decisions regarding
of the review of CNL-related issues
The following areas have been GSP product eligibility issues arising
arising from 2014 import data, including
determined to be adversely affected by out of this GSP product review,
CNL waivers, CNL waiver revocations,
the disaster: including CNL waivers and CNL
requests for redesignation of certain
Primary Counties: Hillsborough, Pasco, revocations. This notice provides
products, and de minimis CNL waivers.
Pinellas. further information on the results of the
Contiguous Counties: Florida, Hardee, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: GSP Limited Product Review. These
Hernando, Manatee, Polk, Sumter. Aimee Larsen, Director for GSP, Office results, comprising five lists, are
The Interest Rates are: of the United States Trade available for the public to view at
Representative. The telephone number http://www.regulations.gov in docket
Percent is (202) 395–2974, the fax number is USTR–2015–0007, under ‘‘Supporting
(202) 395–9674, and the email address and Related Materials’’ and at https://
For Physical Damage: is ALarsen@ustr.eop.gov. ustr.gov/issue-areas/preference-
Homeowners with Credit Avail- programs/generalized-system-
able Elsewhere ...................... 3.750 The GSP
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
preferences-gsp/current-reviews/gsp-
Homeowners without Credit program provides for the duty-free
Available Elsewhere .............. 1.875 treatment of designated articles when
20142015.
Businesses with Credit Avail- imported from beneficiary developing Specific Results
able Elsewhere ......................
6.000 countries. The GSP program is
Businesses without Credit Avail- The President designated five upland
authorized by Title V of the Trade Act cotton fiber products as eligible for
able Elsewhere ......................
4.000
Non-Profit Organizations with
of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2461 et seq.), as duty-free treatment under GSP when
Credit Available Elsewhere ... 2.625 amended, and is implemented in imported from LDBDCs. See List I
Non-Profit Organizations with- accordance with Executive Order 11888 (Products Added to the List of Eligible
out Credit Available Else- of November 24, 1975, as modified by Products for GSP for Least Developed
2.625 subsequent Executive Orders and
where ..................................... Beneficiary Developing Countries). This
For Economic Injury: Presidential Proclamations. designation is pursuant to the authority
Businesses & Small Agricultural
Cooperatives without Credit The GSP program expired on July 31, granted to the President in Section 202
Available Elsewhere .............. 4.000 2013. GSP was reauthorized on June 29, of the Trade Preferences Extension Act
Non-Profit Organizations with- 2015, by the Trade Preferences of 2015 and consistent with USTR’s
out Credit Available Else- Extension Act of 2015. The GSP December 2011 announcement of trade
2.625 program is now effective through
where ..................................... initiatives intended to enable least-
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
December 31, 2017, with retroactive developed countries to benefit more
The number assigned to this disaster effect through July 31, 2013. Pursuant to fully from global trade.
for physical damage is 14484 6 and for the Trade Preferences Extension Act of The President granted petitions for
economic injury is 14485 0. 2015, exclusions from GSP duty-free waivers of CNLs for two products from
The State which received an EIDL treatment where CNLs have been Thailand: (1) Coconuts otherwise
Declaration # is Florida exceeded for calendar year 2014 will be prepared or preserved (HTS 2008.19.15)
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance effective October 1, 2015, unless granted and (2) copper alloys (other than brass,
Numbers 59002 and 59008) a waiver by the President. cupro-nickel or nickel-silver), wire,
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![60732 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 194 / Wednesday, October 7, 2015 / Notices
coated or plated with metal (HTS SUMMARY: The geometric design Federal Register published on April 11,
7408.29.10). See List II (Decision on standards for projects on the National 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70, Pages
Petitions to Grant Waiver of the Highway System (NHS) are incorporated 19477–78).
Competitive Need Limitation). by reference in FHWA regulations. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
Additionally, the President revoked These design standards are questions about the program discussed
existing CNL waivers for three products: comprehensive in nature, covering a herein, contact Elizabeth Hilton,
(1) Certain plywood sheets (HTS multitude of design characteristics, Geometric Design Engineer, FHWA
4412.31.40) from Indonesia; (2) certain while allowing flexibility in application. Office of Program Administration, (512)
copper, stranded wire (HTS 7413.00.10) Exceptions may be approved on a 536–5970 or via email at
from Turkey; and (3) certain copper project basis for designs that do not elizabeth.hilton@dot.gov. For legal
cables and plaited bands (HTS conform to the minimum or limiting questions, please contact Robert Black,
7413.00.50) from Turkey. See List III criteria set forth in the standards, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366–
(Revocations of Competitive Need policies, and standard specifications. 1359, or via email at Robert.Black@
Limitation Waivers). The FHWA is updating its policy dot.gov. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m.
The President also redesignated regarding controlling criteria for design. to 4:30 p.m., e.t., Monday through
certain articles from GSP-eligible The current policy identifies 13 Friday, except Federal holidays.
countries that had previously exceeded controlling criteria for design and
the CNLs, but had fallen below the CNL SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
requires formal design exceptions when
for total annual trade in 2014. The any of the 13 controlling criteria are not Electronic Access and Filing
President redesignated as GSP-eligible: met. The FHWA intends to further
(1) Oilcake and other solid residues, You may submit or retrieve comments
streamline the controlling criteria, and online through the Federal eRulemaking
resulting from the extraction of the application of these criteria, based
vegetable fats or oils, of sunflower seeds portal at: http://www.regulations.gov.
on the results of recent research that The Web site is available 24 hours each
(HTS 2306.30.00) from Ukraine; (2) rare evaluated the safety and operational
gases, other than argon (HTS day, 365 days each year. Please follow
effects of the 13 controlling criteria. The the instructions. Electronic submission
2804.29.00) from Ukraine; (3) insulated FHWA also intends to clarify when
ignition wiring sets and other wiring and retrieval help and guidelines are
design exceptions are required and the available under the help section of the
sets of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft documentation that is expected to
or ships (HTS 8544.30.00) from Web site. An electronic copy of this
support such requests. This notice document may also be downloaded
Indonesia; and (4) parts of railway/ solicits comments on the proposed
tramway locomotives/rolling stock, from the Office of the Federal Register’s
revisions to the 13 controlling criteria home page at: http://www.archives.gov
axles (HTS 8607.19.03) from Ukraine. for the design of projects on the NHS
See List IV (Products Receiving GSP and the Government Printing Office’s
that require a design exception when Web page at: http://
Redesignation). adopted design criteria are not met, in
The President granted de minimis www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
accordance with FHWA regulations.
waivers to 98 articles that exceeded the DATES: Comments must be received on Purpose of This Notice
50-percent import-share CNL, but for or before December 7, 2015. Late
which the aggregate value of all U.S. The FHWA is requesting comment on
comments will be considered to the proposed revisions to the 13 controlling
imports of that article was below the extent practicable.
2014 de minimis level of $22 million. criteria for the design of projects on the
ADDRESSES: Mail or hand deliver NHS that require a design exception
See List V (Products Receiving De
Minimis Waivers). The articles for comments to the U.S. Department of when not met, in accordance with 23
which de minimis waivers were granted Transportation, Dockets Management CFR 625.3(f). Design exceptions are an
will continue to be eligible for duty-free Facility, Room W12–140, 1200 New administrative tool used to document an
treatment under GSP when imported Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC engineer’s evaluation of possible
from the associated countries. 20590, or fax comments to (202) 493– solutions to a specific design issue,
2251. Alternatively, comments may be including the operational and safety
William D. Jackson, submitted to the Federal eRulemaking performance of each option, impacts to
Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative portal at http://www.regulations.gov. All the human and natural environment,
for the Generalized System of Preferences and comments must include the docket and other factors, and demonstrating the
Chair of the GSP Subcommittee of the Trade number that appears in the heading of reasons a particular solution that does
Policy Staff Committee Office of the U.S. this document. All comments received not meet applicable design standards
Trade Representative. will be available for examination and was selected. Many States have their
[FR Doc. 2015–25548 Filed 10–6–15; 8:45 am] copying at the above address from 9 own process for reviewing design
BILLING CODE 3290–F6–P a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through deviations when State or Federal design
Friday, except Federal holidays. Those criteria are not met. When used in this
desiring notification of receipt of Notice, the term ‘design exception’
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION comments must include a self- refers to documentation prepared for
addressed, stamped postcard or you projects on the NHS when a controlling
Federal Highway Administration may print the acknowledgment page criterion is not met, and that must be
that appears after submitting comments approved by the FHWA or on behalf of
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
[FHWA Docket No. FHWA–2015–0020]
electronically. Anyone is able to search FHWA if a State Transportation Agency
Revision of Thirteen Controlling the electronic form of all comments in (STA) has assumed this responsibility
Criteria for Design; Notice and Request any one of our dockets by the name of through a Stewardship and Oversight
for Comment the individual submitting the comment agreement. Stewardship and Oversight
AGENCY: Federal Highway (or signing the comment, if submitted agreements set forth the agreement
Administration (FHWA), DOT. on behalf of an association, business, or between FHWA and each STA on the
labor union). Anyone may review DOT’s roles and responsibilities of FHWA and
ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
complete Privacy Act Statement in the the STA with respect to Title 23 project
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 08:48:54
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 08:48:54
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Contact | Aimee Larsen, Director for GSP, Office of the United States Trade Representative. The telephone number is | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 60731 |
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