81 FR 84560 - Conclusion of Consumer Product Safety Commission International Trade Data System Initial Test Concerning the Electronic Filing of Targeting/Enforcement Data

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 226 (November 23, 2016)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (Commission or CPSC) in consultation with U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) previously announced a test to assess the electronic filing of certain data via the Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set to the CBP- authorized Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system known as the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). Test participants collaborated with CBP and CPSC in examining the effectiveness of the ``single window'' capability and assessing the concept of a data registry (the Product Registry), maintained by CPSC. CBP and CPSC have determined that the test, which the CPSC refers to as the ``eFiling Alpha Pilot,'' was successful, in that participating firms were able to file CPSC's PGA Message Set data as part of an ACE entry, CPSC was able to receive the PGA Message Set data from CBP, and CPSC was able to accept the data into CPSC's system for risk analysis. Accordingly, this document announces that the initial test, the eFiling Alpha Pilot, will conclude on December 31, 2016.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 226 (Wednesday, November 23, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 84560-84562]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28172]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION


Conclusion of Consumer Product Safety Commission International 
Trade Data System Initial Test Concerning the Electronic Filing of 
Targeting/Enforcement Data

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (Commission or 
CPSC) in consultation with U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) 
previously announced a test to assess the electronic filing of certain 
data via the Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set to the CBP-
authorized Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system known as the 
Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). Test participants collaborated 
with CBP and CPSC in examining the effectiveness of the ``single 
window'' capability and assessing the concept of a data registry (the 
Product Registry), maintained by CPSC. CBP and CPSC have determined 
that the test, which the CPSC refers to as the ``eFiling Alpha Pilot,'' 
was successful, in that participating firms were able to file CPSC's 
PGA Message Set data as part of an ACE entry, CPSC was able to receive 
the PGA Message Set data from CBP, and CPSC was able to accept the data 
into CPSC's system for risk analysis. Accordingly, this document 
announces that the initial test, the eFiling Alpha Pilot, will conclude 
on December 31, 2016.

DATES: The CPSC test will conclude on December 31, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the test or concerning this notice should be 
submitted through electronic mail to: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding the test should be 
directed to Jim Joholske, Deputy Director, Office of Import 
Surveillance, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (301) 504-7527, 
[email protected]. Questions sent by electronic mail should contain 
the subject heading ``Question re PGA Message Set Test.'' For technical 
questions regarding ACE or ABI transmissions, or the PGA message set 
data transmission, please contact your assigned CBP client 
representative. Interested parties without an assigned client 
representative should submit an email to Steven Zaccaro at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 84561]]

I. Background

A. The Automated Commercial Environment

    ACE is an automated and electronic system for commercial trade 
processing that is intended to streamline business processes, 
facilitate growth in trade, ensure cargo security, and foster 
participation in global commerce, while ensuring compliance with U.S. 
laws and regulations, and reducing costs for CBP and all of its 
communities of interest. The Automated Broker Interface (ABI) is a 
software interface to ACE. Commercial trade participants who want to 
file entries in ACE use ABI to electronically file required import data 
with CBP. ABI transfers trade-submitted data into ACE. CBP has 
developed ACE as the ``single window'' for the trade community to 
comply with the International Trade Data System (ITDS) requirement 
established by the SAFE Port Act of 2006. The PGA Message Set enables 
additional trade-related data specified by PGAs to be entered in one 
location.

B. ITDS Goals and CBP's Authority To Conduct National Customs 
Automation Program Tests

    The ITDS is an electronic data interchange system whose goals 
include eliminating redundant information requirements, efficiently 
regulating the flow of commerce, and effectively enforcing laws and 
regulations relating to international trade by establishing a single 
portal system, operated by CBP, for the collection and distribution of 
standard electronic import and export data required by participating 
federal agencies. All federal agencies that require documentation for 
clearance or licensing the importation of cargo are required to 
participate in ITDS. The Customs Modernization provisions in the North 
American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act provide the 
Commissioner of CBP with authority to conduct limited test programs or 
procedures designed to evaluate planned components of the National 
Customs Automation Program (NCAP), which includes ACE.

C. Test Purpose and Goal

    CPSC's PGA Message Set test, described in an August 21, 2015 
Federal Register Notice, was developed to further ITDS and NCAP goals. 
80 FR 50827 (Aug. 21, 2015) (August 2015 Test Notice). Information and 
feedback from the test will be used to evaluate electronic filing 
capability and inform the Commission in striving to improve and 
streamline the import process going forward. The goal of electronic 
filing of targeting/enforcement data is to facilitate compliant trade 
as well as sharpen CPSC's focus on noncompliant trade. CPSC intends to 
use targeting/enforcement data to review consumer product entry 
requirements and allow for earlier risk-based admissibility decisions 
by CPSC staff. Additionally, because it is electronic, the PGA Message 
Set could eliminate the necessity for submission and subsequent 
handling of paper documents. Piloting electronic filing as a means to 
transition away from paper-based filing is a priority initiative of the 
PGAs to meet the stated ``single window'' implementation timeline.

II. CPSC's PGA Message Set Test

A. Description of the Test

    CPSC focused this initial test on electronic filing of five 
targeting/enforcement data elements (CPSC data), using the PGA Message 
Set. The test evaluated participant's ability to electronically file 
targeting/enforcement data for regulated finished consumer products 
under CPSC's jurisdiction and three specified finished products 
included on the Substantial Product Hazard List established under 
section 15(j) of the CPSA, and CPSC's ability to accept targeting/
enforcement data into CPSC's risk assessment methodology program (the 
RAM).
    Pilot participants had a choice between two different methods to 
file targeting/enforcement data for products using the PGA Message Set. 
Participants could either: (1) File the targeting/enforcement data 
elements with each product at the time of entry (Full PGA Message Set), 
or (2) file only a reference to targeting/enforcement data stored in a 
Product Registry maintained by CPSC (Product Registry and Reference PGA 
Message Set). Participants primarily chose to file data using the 
Product Registry and Reference PGA Message Set, although we anticipate 
that several participants will file using the Full PGA Message Set 
before the pilot concludes. Through their broker, pilot participants 
submitted targeting/enforcement data through CPSC's PGA Message Set as 
part of an ACE entry, or ACE entry summary if both entry and entry 
summary were filed together. Participants filed PGA Message Set data 
with each applicable entry filed with CBP. To file CPSC PGA Message Set 
data through ACE, associated brokers successfully implemented 
application software updates.
    Once filed in ACE, CBP made the PGA Message Set data, along with 
entry data, available to CPSC for validation. CPSC was able to receive 
PGA Message Set data from CBP, where applicable, match a reference 
number with previously-filed targeting/enforcement data in the Product 
Registry, and to accept the enforcement/targeting data elements into 
CPSC's RAM. Moreover, participants that chose to use the Product 
Registry were able to file the requisite targeting/enforcement data 
into the Product Registry for specific products, and were able to 
successfully provide a reference number to this data using the PGA 
Message Set during the entry process, rather than entering all such 
data elements each time the product was imported.

B. Conclusion of the Test

    As stated in the August 2015 Test Notice, once operational, the 
test was expected to run for approximately six months or until 
concluded or extended by the issuance of a Federal Register notice 
announcing the extension or conclusion of this test. This notice 
announces that CPSC and CBP have determined that ACE is capable of 
accepting electronic targeting/enforcement data, and electronic Product 
Registry reference information, through CPSC's PGA Message Set. CPSC is 
capable of receiving PGA Message Set data, matching reference data to 
previously-filed targeting/enforcement data in the Product Registry, 
and accepting targeting/enforcement data and entry data into CPSC's RAM 
program for further risk evaluation. CPSC also determined that 
participants are able to enter the requisite targeting/enforcement data 
elements for each product into a Product Registry, receive a reference 
number, and file such reference number in CPSC's PGA Message Set each 
time the product is referenced in an ACE entry. Having found the 
eFiling Alpha Pilot to be successful, CPSC and CBP are concluding the 
test effective December 31, 2016.
    Upon the date the test concludes, trade members will no longer be 
authorized to file CPSC data in ACE. CBP will undertake efforts to 
reject or prevent the filing of CPSC data in ACE.

III. Next Steps for CPSC's PGA Message Set Testing

    After the conclusion of the test, CPSC will provide a forum to 
consider what CPSC staff and participants learned from the eFiling 
Alpha Pilot and how best to structure a more robust ``beta'' test of 
electronic filing. Based on the review of the eFiling Alpha Pilot, CPSC 
staff will provide options regarding a ``beta'' testing phase for 
Commission consideration.


[[Page 84562]]


    Dated: November 17, 2016.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 2016-28172 Filed 11-22-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P