[Federal Register: January 31, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 20)]
[Notices]
[Page 4490-4491]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31ja07-31]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Public Meeting on the Influence of European Standards in the
Middle East and North Africa
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Engage stakeholders in a dialogue on the increased use of
European standards in the Middle East and North Africa and market
access for U.S. exporters. Invite public comment on this subject.
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SUMMARY: The use of European standards in the Middle East and North
Africa is growing. The European Union (EU) is providing technical
assistance and building ties to harmonize regulations and standards so
as to facilitate trade between the EU and these regions. This meeting
will provide U.S. industry an opportunity to exchange their experiences
and express their views on this subject.
DATES: The date of the meeting is Thursday, February 15, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by any of the following
methods:
E-mail: Jennifer.Derstine@mail.doc.gov.
Fax: 202-482-0878.
Mail: U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2029B, 14th and
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
Hand Delivery/Courier: U.S. Department of Commerce, Room
2029B, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Derstine, Room 2029B, 14th
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230, (202) 482-1870.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For more than ten years the European
Commission has offered technical assistance to a broad group of
countries in institution building, developing regulatory and
administrative infrastructure, and support for conformity assessment,
market surveillance, and metrology organizations. Europe's financial
and technical support makes countries more
[[Page 4491]]
open to using European standards and facilitates two-way trade between
these markets. Ties between the EU and specific markets in the region
are also being solidified through partnership agreements with CEN, the
European Committee for Standardization, and through affiliate
membership in CENELEC, the European Committee for Electrotechnical
Standardization. CEN's Partner Standardization Body (PSB) agreements,
which some Middle Eastern and North African countries are considering
signing, typically have a clause that requires signatories to withdraw
conflicting national standards from the market. Israel is considering a
partnership agreement with CEN and an affiliation with CENELEC. Egypt
and Tunisia are the only other Middle East or North African countries
known to have signed a partnership agreement with CEN. Tunisia is also
an affiliate of CENELEC.
The Department of Commerce cordially invites all interested
stakeholders to attend a public meeting on the presence of European
standards in the Middle East and North Africa. The meeting is an
opportunity for interested parties to provide information and input to
the U.S. government on how this trend in standardization affects market
access for U.S. goods in the region. Key government officials working
directly on this issue from various agencies will be in attendance.
Date: Thursday, February 15, 2007.
Time: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Where: U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue,
NW.
To gain access to the Department of Commerce, please RSVP by noon
on Wednesday, February 14, 2007, to Jennifer Derstine at (202) 482-1870
or Jennifer.Derstine@mail.doc.gov.
The agenda will be provided at the meeting. Further information is
available on the Department of Commerce Standards Initiative Web site
at: http://www.trade.gov/standards.
Dated: January 25, 2007.
Jennifer Derstine,
Senior International Trade Specialist.
[FR Doc. E7-1521 Filed 1-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DA-P