Special Meeting on Procedures for Information Exchange

November 2, 2004Geneva

Anne MeiningerUnited States

WTO TBT Enquiry Point

2

U.S. WTO TBT Enquiry Point

National Center for Standards and Certification Information (NCSCI)

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

3

Prior to Notification in the U.S.

U.S. Regulations U.S. Federal Register Electronic Tools

4

U.S. Regulations

Federal regulatory agencies Interested parties Administrative Procedures

Act

5

“Notice and Comment”

Notice Comment Regulation (Final Rule)

6

“Notice and Comment”

1. A notice is issued. Definitions Cost to benefit analysis Risk assessment Impact statements Contacts

7

“Notice and Comment”

2. Comments are accepted. No restrictions Domestic and foreign Equal consideration Full consideration to substantive comments. Impact the final regulation

8

“Notice and Comment”

3. A Final Rule is issued. Comments are addressed Basis and purpose Justification Time Codification into law

9

U.S. Federal Register

One source for “Notice and Comment” Legal text Newspaper format Published every business day Paper, microfiche, electronic formats

10

11

12

13

14

Electronic Tools

RegAlert Regulations in 50 U.S. states

15

Thank you.

U.S. WTO TBT Enquiry PointNational Center for Standards and

Certification Information (NCSCI)100 Bureau DriveGaithersburg, MD 20899-2160E-mail: ncsci@nist.govTelephone: 301-975-4040