80 FR 77319 - Request for Public Input on Sectoral Dialogues To Inform Work on Standards Cooperation Under the U.S.-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 239 (December 14, 2015)
International Trade Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 239 (December 14, 2015)
| Page Range | 77319-77321 | |
| FR Document | 2015-31430 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 239 (Monday, December 14, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 77319-77321] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-31430] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Request for Public Input on Sectoral Dialogues To Inform Work on Standards Cooperation Under the U.S.-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: With this notice, the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC), on behalf of the Administration, is seeking public input to identify priority sectors in which the United States and India will pursue cooperative dialogues under the U.S.-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue (S&CD) to address standards-related trade barriers. The aim of the cooperative dialogues is for the private sector to produce concrete recommendations for the U.S. and Indian governments on breaking down barriers related to standards, regulatory, and conformity assessment practices to increase bilateral trade. Stakeholder input will be used by the USDOC, in consultation with its interagency partners, to identify those sectors where cooperative work will yield the most benefits for bilateral trade from a U.S. perspective. The USDOC will also use stakeholder input to seek agreement from its Indian government counterparts on the sectors in which to begin cooperative work. Criteria for selection include: The nature of the existing standards-related barriers in the sector (medical devices, ICT products, oil and gas, etc.), including whether the standards related measures that are affecting bilateral trade are subject to regulatory discretion or have limited potential for adjustment due to legislated mandates; the relative [[Page 77320]] estimated trade impact of eliminating the standards-related barriers in the sector; and whether private sector representatives from the sector--both U.S. and Indian--are committed to leading a cooperative dialogue to produce concrete recommendations for the U.S. and Indian governments on breaking down barriers in the sector. Selection will also take into account the willingness of U.S. and Indian regulators to become involved in this targeted work, as well as if another bilateral forum relevant to the suggested issue already exists. In order for a sector to be considered, stakeholder input must identify private-sector leaders from the United States and India that have mutually agreed to coordinate and lead a cooperative dialogue among stakeholders in the sector from both the United States and India to develop recommendations for the U.S. and Indian governments on breaking down standards-related barriers in their sector. Confirmation of such agreement is encouraged. See additional requirements for submissions in the contents below. The private sector cooperative dialogue leaders from the selected priority sectors are expected to begin work as early as possible in 2016 and to report their preliminary recommendations to the U.S. and Indian governments at the next meeting of the U.S.-India S&CD, expected to take place in India in mid-2016. At the discretion of the U.S. and Indian private sector cooperative dialogue leads, U.S. and Indian government officials will be available to provide information to facilitate the development of private sector recommendations. Selection of future priority sectors will be evaluated on the basis of the performance of the cooperative dialogues in the initially selected priority sectors. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Boyles, Manager, Emerging Issues, Office of Standards and Investment Policy, International Trade Administration, by telephone at (202) 482-1935 (this is not a toll-free number) or email at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In January 2015, President Obama and Prime Minister Modi decided to elevate the bilateral commercial and economic partnership by establishing the first-ever U.S.-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue (S&CD) which was held in Washington, DC on September 22, 2015. The S&CD is the signature, annual forum for policy discussions between the United States Government and the Government of India. The United States and Indian Governments are using this vehicle to advance their shared priorities of generating economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening the middle class. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker co- chaired the dialogue with their Indian counterparts, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and Minister of Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman. Below are highlights of work agreed to on standards cooperation at the September 22, 2015 S&CD: Standards Cooperation: The United States and India are working together to participate in the development of international standards and technical regulations to boost trade and help reduce administrative and logistical burdens, which disproportionately affect small and medium sized enterprises. The United States and India will engage their respective industries to identify up to two sectors where standards and conformity assessment-focused cooperative dialogues could lead to mutual benefit and increased trade. To support the removal of barriers that impact the global supply chain, the United States and India will exchange best practices for the operation of national Enquiry Points under the World Trade Organization Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade and will explore opportunities for more cooperation on reference standards between India's National Physical Laboratories (NPL) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The United States and India announced a private sector-led collaboration to update a bilateral standards portal, which facilitates the sharing of information to improve industry understanding of market access requirements in both countries. Request For Public Input: Submissions relevant to this request for public input should be submitted no later than 60 days after the date of this notice and can be submitted online or in writing. Written submissions should be directed to Michael Boyles, Office of Standards and Investment Policy, Industry and Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 22025, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. Online submissions should be submitted using http://www.regulations.gov. In order to ensure the timely receipt and consideration of comments, ITA strongly encourages commenters to make online submissions using http://www.regulations.gov. Comments should be submitted under ITA-2015-0005. To find this docket, enter the docket number in the ``Enter Keyword or ID'' Window at the http://www.regulations.gov home page and click ``Search.'' The site will provide a search-results page listing all documents associated with the docket number. Find a reference to this notice by selecting ``Notice'' under ``Document Type'' on the search-results page, and click on the link entitled ``Comment now!'' The http://www.regulations.gov Web site provides the option of making submissions by filling in a comments field, or by attaching a document. ITA prefers submissions to be provided in an attached document. (For further information on using http://www.regulations.gov, please consult the resources provided on the Web site by clicking on the ``Help'' tab.) All comments and recommendations submitted in response to this notice will be made available to the public so should not include any privileged or confidential business information. The file name should begin with the character ``P'' (signifying that the comments contain no privileged or confidential business information and can be posted publicly), followed by the name of the person or entity submitting the comments. Written submissions should include an original and five (5) copies. Please do not attach separate cover letters to electronic submissions; rather, include any information that might appear in a cover letter in the comments themselves. Similarly, to the extent possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other attachments in the same file as the submission itself, not as separate files. Required Content for Submissions: USDOC seeks public input on the sectors that would benefit most from focused engagement by U.S. and Indian private-sector leaders and government representatives under the S&CD to address trade barriers related to standards, regulatory, and conformity assessment practices to increase bilateral trade. Criteria for selection include: The nature of the existing standards-related barriers in the sector (medical devices, ICT products, oil and gas, etc.), including whether the standards related measures that are affecting bilateral trade are subject to regulatory discretion or have limited potential for adjustment due to legislated mandates; the relative estimated trade impact of eliminating the standards-related barriers in the sector; and whether private sector representatives from the sector--both U.S. and Indian--are committed to leading a cooperative dialogue to [[Page 77321]] produce concrete recommendations for the U.S. and Indian governments on breaking down the barriers in the sector. Selection will also take into account the willingness of U.S. and Indian regulators to become involved in this targeted work. Submissions should include: A description of the main standards- related barrier(s) affecting U.S.-India trade in the sector (e.g., lack of transparency by U.S. and/or Indian officials in developing standards and/or regulations affecting the sector; U.S. and Indian officials applying different standards or technical regulations to products or services in the sector; testing or other requirements that are difficult to meet; and/or requirements being applied by U.S. and/or Indian officials only when products or services in the sector are imported from the other's market), including whether the areas involved are subject to regulatory discretion or have limited potential for adjustment due to legislated mandates; the relative estimated trade impact of eliminating the standards-related barriers in the sector; and data on bilateral trade in the sector for at least three years to help evaluate trade trends. Submissions must identify private-sector leaders from the United States and India that have mutually agreed to coordinate and lead a cooperative dialogue among stakeholders in the sector from both the United States and India to develop recommendations for the U.S. and Indian governments on breaking down standards-related barriers in their sector. Confirmation of such agreement is encouraged. No U.S. Government funding will be provided for these activities. Additionally, submissions should provide information on current and previous efforts to address standards-related barriers to bilateral trade in the sector, including under other government-to-government initiatives, to help evaluate the potential for liberalization of barriers identified. Submissions should also provide information, if known, about the U.S. and Indian government authorities, in particular regulators, whose actions impact the sector, and who would need to be involved in implementing the recommendations that the private sector leads will develop under a U.S.-India cooperative dialogue on the subject sector. Before finalizing priority sector selection, U.S. and Indian government S&CD leads will confirm that their respective relevant regulators support targeted work in the sector. Additional information also is welcome that would help USDOC and its interagency partners evaluate prospects for growth in bilateral trade in the sector, if this work is undertaken. Dated: December 4, 2015. Chris Rosettie, Director, Office of Standards and Investment Policy, International Trade Administration. [FR Doc. 2015-31430 Filed 12-11-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 239 / Monday, December 14, 2015 / Notices 77319
is on file electronically via Enforcement Cash Deposit Instructions Calcium Carbonate, and Caustic Soda
and Compliance’s Antidumping and Industries
The Department also intends to 3. Whether To Reverse the Department’s
Countervailing Duty Centralized
instruct CBP to collect cash deposits of ‘‘Authorities’’ Determination for Certain
Electronic Service System (ACCESS). Input Suppliers
estimated countervailing duties in the
ACCESS is available to registered users 4. Including Ocean Freight and Import
amount shown above on shipments of
at http://access.trade.gov and in the Duties in the International Freight
subject merchandise by Taihe entered,
Central Records Unit, Room B8024 of Benchmark for Input for LTAR Programs
or withdrawn from warehouse, for
the main Department of Commerce 5. The Selection of Ports in the
consumption on or after the date of International Freight Benchmark for
building. In addition, a complete
publication of the final results of this Input for LTAR Programs
version of the Issues and Decision
review. For all non-reviewed 6. Whether To Use Freight Rates for Flat
Memorandum can be accessed directly
companies, we will instruct CBP to Rack Containers in the International
on the internet at http://www.trade.gov/ Freight Benchmark for the Calcium
continue to collect cash deposits of
enforcement/. The signed Issues and Carbonate for LTAR Program
estimated countervailing duties at the
Decision Memorandum and the 7. Whether To Include the Costs for
most recent company-specific or
electronic versions of the Issues and Hazardous Shipping Charges in the
country-wide rate applicable to the International Freight Benchmark for the
Decision Memorandum are identical in
company. Accordingly, the cash deposit Sulfuric Acid and Caustic Soda for LTAR
content.
rates that will be applied to companies Programs
Methodology covered by this order, but not examined IX. Recommendation
in this review, are those established in [FR Doc. 2015–31419 Filed 12–11–15; 8:45 am]
The Department conducted this the most recently-completed segment of BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
review in accordance with section the proceeding for each company. These
751(a)(1)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as cash deposit requirements, when
amended (the Act). For each of the imposed, shall remain in effect until DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
subsidy programs found further notice.
countervailable, we determine that there International Trade Administration
is a subsidy (i.e., a financial Administrative Protective Order
contribution from an ‘‘authority’’ that This notice serves as a reminder to Request for Public Input on Sectoral
confers a benefit to the recipient, and parties subject to administrative Dialogues To Inform Work on
that the subsidy is specific).5 See the protective order (APO) of their Standards Cooperation Under the U.S.-
Issues and Decision Memorandum for a responsibility concerning the India Strategic and Commercial
full description of the methodology disposition of proprietary information Dialogue
underlying our conclusions. disclosed under APO in accordance ACTION: Notice.
In making our findings, we relied, in with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely
part, on the facts otherwise available. written notification of return or SUMMARY: With this notice, the U.S.
Further, because the GOC did not act to destruction of APO materials or Department of Commerce (USDOC), on
the best of its ability to respond to the conversion to judicial protective order is behalf of the Administration, is seeking
Department’s requests for information, hereby requested. Failure to comply public input to identify priority sectors
we drew an adverse inference in with the regulations and the terms of an in which the United States and India
selecting from among the facts available, APO is a sanctionable violation. will pursue cooperative dialogues under
pursuant to sections 776(a) and (b) of We are issuing and publishing these the U.S.-India Strategic and Commercial
the Act. See the Issues and Decision results in accordance with sections Dialogue (S&CD) to address standards-
Memorandum in the section entitled, 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act. related trade barriers. The aim of the
‘‘Use of Facts Otherwise Available and cooperative dialogues is for the private
Dated: December 7, 2015.
Adverse Inferences,’’ for further sector to produce concrete
information. Paul Piquado, recommendations for the U.S. and
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Indian governments on breaking down
Final Results of the Review Compliance. barriers related to standards, regulatory,
In accordance with 19 CFR Appendix and conformity assessment practices to
351.221(b)(5), we determine a net increase bilateral trade. Stakeholder
List of Topics Discussed in the Issues and
countervailable subsidy rate of 30.93 input will be used by the USDOC, in
Decision Memorandum
percent ad valorem for Taihe. consultation with its interagency
I. Summary partners, to identify those sectors where
Assessment Rates II. Background cooperative work will yield the most
III. Scope of the Order
The Department intends to issue IV. Use of Facts Otherwise Available and
benefits for bilateral trade from a U.S.
appropriate assessment instructions Adverse Inferences perspective. The USDOC will also use
directly to U.S. Customs and Border V. Subsidies Valuation Information stakeholder input to seek agreement
Protection (CBP) 15 days after the date VI. Benchmarks and Discount Rates from its Indian government counterparts
of publication of these final results, to VII. Analysis of Programs on the sectors in which to begin
VIII. Analysis of Comments cooperative work.
liquidate shipments of subject 1. Whether To Find Input for the Less- Criteria for selection include: The
merchandise by Taihe entered, or Than-Adequate-Remuneration (LTAR)
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
nature of the existing standards-related
withdrawn from warehouse, for Programs Not Specific barriers in the sector (medical devices,
consumption on or after January 1, A. Sulfuric Acid ICT products, oil and gas, etc.),
2013, through December 31, 2013. B. Steam Coal
C. Calcium Carbonate
including whether the standards related
5 See sections 771(5)(B) and (D) of the Act D. Caustic Soda measures that are affecting bilateral
regarding financial contribution; section 771(5)(E) 2. Whether the Department Should Apply trade are subject to regulatory discretion
of the Act regarding benefit; and section 771(5A) of Adverse Facts Available in its Market or have limited potential for adjustment
the Act regarding specificity. Distortion Analysis of the Sulfuric Acid, due to legislated mandates; the relative
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 239 / Monday, December 14, 2015 / Notices 77321
produce concrete recommendations for in bilateral trade in the sector, if this Methodology
the U.S. and Indian governments on work is undertaken. The Department is conducting this
breaking down the barriers in the sector. Dated: December 4, 2015. review in accordance with section
Selection will also take into account the Chris Rosettie, 751(a)(1)(B) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
willingness of U.S. and Indian amended (‘‘the Act’’) and 19 CFR
Director, Office of Standards and Investment
regulators to become involved in this Policy, International Trade Administration. 351.213. For a full description of the
targeted work. methodology underlying our
[FR Doc. 2015–31430 Filed 12–11–15; 8:45 am]
Submissions should include: A conclusions, see the Preliminary
description of the main standards- BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P
Decision Memorandum, which is hereby
related barrier(s) affecting U.S.-India adopted with this notice. A list of topics
trade in the sector (e.g., lack of discussed in the Preliminary Decision
transparency by U.S. and/or Indian DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Memorandum is provided as Appendix
officials in developing standards and/or International Trade Administration I to this notice. The Preliminary
regulations affecting the sector; U.S. and Decision Memorandum is a public
Indian officials applying different [A–570–890]
document and is on file electronically
standards or technical regulations to via Enforcement and Compliance’s
products or services in the sector; Wooden Bedroom Furniture From the
People’s Republic of China: Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
testing or other requirements that are Centralized Electronic Service System
difficult to meet; and/or requirements Preliminary Results of Antidumping
Duty Administrative Review; 2014 (‘‘ACCESS’’). ACCESS is available to
being applied by U.S. and/or Indian registered users at http://
officials only when products or services AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, access.trade.gov and in the Central
in the sector are imported from the International Trade Administration, Records Unit, Room B8024 of the main
other’s market), including whether the Department of Commerce. Department of Commerce building. In
areas involved are subject to regulatory SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce addition, a complete version of the
discretion or have limited potential for (‘‘the Department’’) is conducting the Preliminary Decision Memorandum can
adjustment due to legislated mandates; tenth administrative review (‘‘AR’’) of be accessed directly at http://
the relative estimated trade impact of the antidumping duty order on wooden enforcement.trade.gov/frn/. The signed
eliminating the standards-related bedroom furniture (‘‘WBF’’) from the Preliminary Decision Memorandum and
barriers in the sector; and data on People’s Republic of China (‘‘PRC’’). the electronic versions of the
bilateral trade in the sector for at least The period of review (‘‘POR’’) is January Preliminary Decision Memorandum are
three years to help evaluate trade trends. 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014. We identical in content.
Submissions must identify private-
invite interested parties to comment on
sector leaders from the United States PRC-Wide Entity
these preliminary results.
and India that have mutually agreed to The Department selected Shanghai
coordinate and lead a cooperative DATES: Effective Date: December 14,
2015. Jian Pu Import & Export Co., Ltd. (‘‘Jian
dialogue among stakeholders in the Pu’’) as the sole mandatory respondent.3
sector from both the United States and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Department preliminarily
India to develop recommendations for Patrick O’Connor or Jeffrey Pedersen, determines that Jian Pu did not establish
the U.S. and Indian governments on AD/CVD Operations, Office IV, its eligibility for a separate rate for the
breaking down standards-related Enforcement and Compliance, reasons explained in the Preliminary
barriers in their sector. Confirmation of International Trade Administration, Decision Memorandum. Accordingly,
such agreement is encouraged. No U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 we are preliminarily treating Jian Pu as
Government funding will be provided Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, part of the PRC-wide entity.
for these activities. DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–0989, In addition, six other companies for
Additionally, submissions should and (202) 482–2769, respectively. which a review was requested failed to
provide information on current and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: provide separate rate applications or
previous efforts to address standards- certifications necessary to establish their
related barriers to bilateral trade in the Scope of the Order
eligibility for a separate rate.4 The
sector, including under other The product covered by the order is
government-to-government initiatives, wooden bedroom furniture, subject to Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty
to help evaluate the potential for certain exceptions.1 Imports of subject Administrative Review: Wooden Bedroom Furniture
liberalization of barriers identified. merchandise are classified under the from the People’s Republic of China,’’ from Gary
Submissions should also provide Taverman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations,
information, if known, about the U.S. United States (‘‘HTSUS’’) subheadings: to Christian Marsh, Deputy Assistant Secretary for
and Indian government authorities, in 9403.50.9042, 9403.50.9045, Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations
particular regulators, whose actions 9403.50.9080, 9403.50.9042, (‘‘Preliminary Decision Memorandum’’), dated
impact the sector, and who would need concurrently with this notice.
9403.50.9045, 9403.60.8081, 3 See Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
to be involved in implementing the 7009.92.1000 or 7009.92.5000. Although 4 Those six companies, other than Shanghai Jian
recommendations that the private sector the HTSUS subheadings are provided Pu, not establishing their eligibility for a separate
leads will develop under a U.S.-India for convenience and customs purposes, rate are: (1) Baigou Crafts Factory of Fengkai; (2)
cooperative dialogue on the subject the written product description in the Dongguan Hung Sheng Artware Products Co., Ltd.,
Coronal Enterprise Co., Ltd.; (3) Hualing Furniture
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
sector. Before finalizing priority sector Order remains dispositive.2 (China) Co., Ltd., Tony House Manufacture (China)
selection, U.S. and Indian government Co., Ltd., Buysell Investments Ltd., Tony House
S&CD leads will confirm that their 1 See Notice of Amended Final Determination of
Industries Co., Ltd.; (4) Orient International Holding
respective relevant regulators support Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Antidumping Shanghai Foreign Trade Co., Ltd.; (5) Prime Wood
targeted work in the sector. Additional Duty Order: Wooden Bedroom Furniture From the International Co., Ltd, Prime Best International Co.,
People’s Republic of China, 70 FR 329 (January 4, Ltd., Prime Best Factory, Liang Huang (Jiaxing)
information also is welcome that would 2005) (‘‘Order’’). Enterprise Co., Ltd.; and (6) Woodworth Wooden
help USDOC and its interagency 2 For a complete description of the Scope of the Industries (Dong Guan) Co., Ltd. Although
partners evaluate prospects for growth Order, please see ‘‘Decision Memorandum for Continued
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Document Created: 2015-12-14 13:47:44
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 13:47:44
| 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 | Michael Boyles, Manager, Emerging Issues, Office of Standards and Investment Policy, International Trade Administration, by telephone at (202) 482-1935 (this is not a toll-free number) or email at [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 77319 |
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