30 August 1999 Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Federal Register: August 30, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 167)] [Notices] [Page 47170-47171] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr30au99-35] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Newly Established Industry Functional Advisory Committee; Request for Nominations AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Trade Development. ACTION: Notice of Establishment of Industry Functional Advisory Committee on Electronic Commerce for Trade Policy Matters; Request for Nominations. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative have jointly established an Industry Functional Advisory Committee on Electronic Commerce for Trade Policy Matters pursuant to section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974, and seek nominations for appointment to the Committee. Nominees must be U.S. citizens, representing U.S. manufacturing and service firms that trade internationally or provide services in direct support of the international trading activities of other entities. Priority will be given to a balanced representation in terms of point of view represented by various sectors, product lines, firm sizes and geographic areas. More detailed information is provided below and is also available on the International Trade Administration website at www.ita.doc.gov/ icp. Inquiries may be directed to Tamara Underwood, Director, Industry Consultations Program, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Room 2015-B, Washington, DC 20230, phone 202/ 482-3268. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2155) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App), the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) established the Industry Functional Advisory Committee on Electronic Commerce for Trade Policy Matters (the Committee) on August 17, 1999. Electronic Commerce is a driving force in U.S. economic growth and international trade. A primary thrust of U.S. policy on electronic commerce will be to avoid government actions that might impede its growth and development. The Department and the USTR must have regular advice from the U.S. private sector to effectively address these issues and identify new and emerging concerns. The Committee will advise the Secretary and the USTR on electronic commerce issues that could threaten or restrict trade, which encompass issues such as privacy, taxation, standards, consumer protection, authentication, and content, among others. The Committee's advice [[Page 47171]] will be used to develop USG positions and priorities on electronic commerce for international discussions in bilateral, regional and multilateral discussions, including the WTO, OECD, FTAA, TEP and others. Background In section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2155), Congress established a private-sector advisory system to ensure that U.S. trade policy and trade negotiation objectives adequately reflect U.S. commercial and economic interests. Section 135 directs the President to-- ``seek information and advice from representative elements of the private sector and the non-Federal governmental sector with respect to-- (A) Negotiating objectives and bargaining positions before entering into a trade agreement under [title I of the 1974 Trade Act and section 1102 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988]; (B) The operation of any trade agreement once entered into; including preparation for dispute settlement panel proceedings to which the United States is a party; and (C) Other matters arising in connection with the development, implementation, and administration of the trade policy of the United States. * * *'' The Secretary and the USTR have established seventeen Industry Sector Advisory Committees for Trade Policy Matters (ISACs) and four Industry Functional Advisory Committees for Trade Policy Matters (IFACs) pursuant to section 135. A complete list of these committees appears below: Industry Sector Advisory Committees for Trade Policy Matters (ISAC) on: Aerospace Equipment (ISAC 1); Capital Goods (ISAC 2); Chemicals and Allied Products (ISAC 3); Consumer Goods (ISAC 4); Electronics and Instrumentation (ISAC 5); Energy (ISAC 6); Ferrous Ores and Metals (ISAC 7); Footwear, Leather, and Leather Products (ISAC 8); Building Products and Other Materials (ISAC 9); Lumber and Wood Products (ISAC 10); Nonferrous Ores and Metals (ISAC 11); Paper and Paper Products (ISAC 12); Services (ISAC 13); Small and Minority Business (ISAC 14); Textiles and Apparel (ISAC 15); Transportation, Construction, Mining, and Agricultural Equipment (ISAC 16); Wholesaling and Retailing (ISAC 17); and Industry Functional Advisory Committees on Trade Policy Matters (IFAC) on: Customs (IFAC 1); Standards (IFAC 2); Intellectual Property Rights (IFAC 3). Electronic Commerce (IFAC 4). Functions The duties of the ISACs and IFACs are to provide the Secretary and the USTR with advice on objectives and bargaining positions for multilateral trade negotiations, bilateral trade negotiations, and other trade-related matters. The committees provide nonpartisan industry input in the development of trade policy objectives. The committees' efforts result in strengthening the U.S. negotiating position by enabling the United States to display a united front when it negotiates trade agreements with other nations. The ISACs provide advice and information on issues that affect specific sectors of U.S. industry. The IFACs focus on cross-cutting issues that affect all industry sectors, such as customs matters, product standards, intellectual property rights and electronic commerce. Each ISAC may also select a member to serve on each IFAC so that a broad range of industry perspectives is represented. Committees meet an average of four times a year in Washington, DC. Members are responsible for all travel expenses incurred to attend the meetings. Membership ISAC and IFAC members are appointed jointly by the Secretary of Commerce and the USTR. Appointments are made at the initial chartering of the Committee, at the rechartering of each committee and periodically throughout the two-year charter period. Members serve at the discretion of the Secretary and USTR. Appointments to an ISAC/IFAC expire at the end of the committee's charter. However, members may be reappointed for one or more additional terms should the committee's charter be renewed and if the member proves to work effectively with the committee and his/her expertise is still needed. The IFAC on Electronic Commerce is chartered for 40 members total, 23 directly appointed members and 17 elected members to represent each of the ISACs. The committee's charter expires March 19, 2000. Qualifications The Secretary and USTR invite nominations to the Committee of U.S. citizens who will represent U.S. manufacturing or service companies that trade internationally, or trade associations whose members are U.S. companies that trade internationally. Companies must be at least 51 percent beneficially-owned by U.S. persons. U.S.-based subsidiaries of foreign companies in general do not qualify for representation on the committees. Nominees will be considered based upon their ability to carry out the goals of section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. Secondary criteria are ensuring that the committee is balanced in terms of points of view, demographics, geography and company size. By law, appointments are made without regard to political affiliation. Application Procedures Requests for applications should be sent to the Director of the Industry Consultations Program, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 2015-B, Washington, DC 20230. This notice is issued under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App) and 21 CFR part 14 relating to advisory committees. Dated: July 30, 1999. Michael J. Copps, Acting Assistant Secretary for Trade Development. [FR Doc. 99-22424 Filed 8-27-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-25-P