Request for Public Comments Regarding Small and Medium Enterprises' Understanding of and Compliance With the Export Administration Regulations, 61706-61707 [2010-25152]

Download as PDF 61706 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 193 / Wednesday, October 6, 2010 / Notices Summary documenting Panel opinions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the stock assessment and input data. Participants for SEDAR Workshops are appointed by the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils and NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office and Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Participants include data collectors and database managers; stock assessment scientists, biologists, and researchers; constituency representatives including fishermen, environmentalists, and NGO’s; International experts; and staff of Councils, Commissions, and state and federal agencies. Dated: September 30, 2010. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. SEDAR 23 Review Schedule: Pursuant to its authority under the ForeignTrade Zones Act of June 18, 1934, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a–81u), the ForeignTrade Zones Board (the Board) adopts the following Order: Request for Public Comments Regarding Small and Medium Enterprises’ Understanding of and Compliance With the Export Administration Regulations Whereas, the Board adopted the alternative site framework (ASF) in December 2008 (74 FR 1170, 01/12/09; correction 74 FR 3987, 01/22/09) as an option for the establishment or reorganization of general-purpose zones; Whereas, the Ellis County Trade Zone Corporation, grantee of Foreign-Trade Zone 113, submitted an application to the Board (FTZ Docket 4–2010, filed 01/ 14/10) for authority to reorganize under the ASF with a service area of Ellis County, Texas, adjacent to the Dallas/ Fort Worth Customs and Border Protection port of entry, and FTZ 113’s existing Site 1 would be categorized as a magnet site; Whereas, notice inviting public comment was given in the Federal Register (75 FR 3705, 01/22/10; 75 FR 17125, 04/05/10) and the application has been processed pursuant to the FTZ Act and the Board’s regulations; and, Whereas, the Board adopts the findings and recommendations of the examiner’s report, and finds that the requirements of the FTZ Act and Board’s regulations are satisfied, and that the proposal is in the public interest; Now, therefore, the Board hereby orders: The application to reorganize FTZ 113 under the alternative site framework is approved, subject to the FTZ Act and the Board’s regulations, including Section 400.28, and to the Board’s standard 2,000-acre activation limit for the overall general-purpose zone project. AGENCY: November 15–17, 2010; SEDAR 23 Review Workshop November 15, 2010: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., November 16–17, 2010, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. The established times may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the timely completion of discussion relevant to the assessment process. Such adjustments may result in the meeting being extended from, or completed prior to the time established by this notice. The Review Workshop is an independent peer review of the assessment developed during the Data and Assessment Workshops. Workshop Panelists will review the assessment and document their comments and recommendations in a Consensus Summary. Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) at least 5 business days prior to each workshop. VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:00 Oct 05, 2010 Jkt 223001 [FR Doc. 2010–25057 Filed 10–5–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Signed at Washington, DC, September 24, 2010. Ronald K. Lorentzen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, Alternate Chairman, ForeignTrade Zones Board. Attest: Andrew McGilvray, Executive Secretary. [FR Doc. 2010–25222 Filed 10–5–10; 8:45 am] Foreign-Trade Zones Board BILLING CODE P [Order No. 1708] DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Reorganization of Foreign-Trade Zone 113 Under Alternative Site Framework; Ellis County, TX PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Bureau of Industry and Security [Docket No. 100920454–0473–02] Bureau of Industry and Security, Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Inquiry. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is publishing a notice of inquiry to solicit comments from the public regarding small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) understanding of and compliance with export controls maintained pursuant to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). BIS anticipates that input from the public will help it administer and enforce export controls in a manner consistent with U.S. national security while facilitating and even increasing legitimate trade involving SMEs and the exporting community in general. DATES: Comments must be received by December 6, 2010. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this notice of inquiry, identified by ‘‘Notice of Inquiry—SME’’, by any of the following methods: E-mail: publiccomments@bis.doc.gov. Include ‘‘Notice of Inquiry—SME’’ in the subject line of the message. Fax: (202) 482–3355. Please alert the Regulatory Policy Division, by calling (202) 482–2440, if you are faxing comments. Mail or Hand Delivery/Courier: Sheila Quarterman, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Exporter Services, Regulatory Policy Division, 14th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 2705, Washington, DC 20230, Attn: ‘‘Notice of Inquiry—SME’’. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila Quarterman, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Exporter Services, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\06OCN1.SGM 06OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 193 / Wednesday, October 6, 2010 / Notices mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Regulatory Policy Division, Telephone 202/482–2440, E-mail squarter@bis.doc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background President Obama’s August 2009 call for broad-based review and modernization of U.S. export controls presented the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) a strategic opportunity to reach out to regulated groups such as small and medium enterprises (SMEs) regarding their experience with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). More recently, the President’s National Export Initiative (NEI) announced in January 2010 focuses on expanding trade advocacy and opportunities, particularly for SMEs. Pursuant to the NEI, the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration will seek to increase the number of SMEs exporting over the next five years. BIS continues to develop the agency’s commitment to addressing SMEs’ concerns through its outreach efforts. At its October 2009 annual Update Conference on Export Controls, BIS led a roundtable discussion on SMEs’ export compliance concerns. In this notice of inquiry (NOI), BIS is soliciting information regarding SMEs’ understanding of and compliance with the EAR. BIS intends to use the information to evaluate the need for innovations and revisions that will enhance SMEs’ understanding of and compliance with the EAR. Given SMEs’ strategic position in export trade, the EAR must continue to address SMEs’ concerns in a manner that promotes compliance without adversely affecting competitiveness. Ultimately, the agency seeks to administer and enforce export controls in a manner that protects U.S. national security while facilitating and even increasing legitimate trade involving SMEs and the exporting community in general. It is important to BIS to identify and address issues that impact a range of SMEs’ understanding of and compliance with the EAR. BIS intends that this NOI will yield useful input not only from and about enterprises with extensive experience in export trade but also from and about enterprises less familiar and less experienced in export trade. Unlike for small businesses or enterprises, there is no widely accepted or agreed upon definition of medium enterprises. However, industry and government entities have made progress in incorporating the consideration of medium enterprises in matters of global trade. In formulating an appropriate definition of SMEs for purposes of this VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:00 Oct 05, 2010 Jkt 223001 NOI, BIS reviewed relevant data from U.S. Government, industry, and international sources, including the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of the Census, and the European Commission. In particular, a recent USITC report, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Overview of Participation in U.S. Exports (USITC Publication 4125, January 2010), and the SBA Office of Advocacy’s analysis on which it draws offer helpful guidance in defining SMEs. Based on the USITC report, the related analysis from the SBA’s Office of Advocacy, and the SBA’s definition of ‘‘business concern’’ (13 CFR 121.105), BIS defines SMEs for purposes of this NOI as enterprises with fewer than 500 employees, organized for profit, and independently operated and established within the United States. Given the range of sectors that participate in dualuse exports, BIS does not believe that a revenue threshold is appropriate. BIS welcomes comments regarding this definition. Comments that identify issues and make recommendations regarding SMEs’ awareness and understanding of the EAR, as well as their experiences complying with the EAR, will be instructive. BIS invites the public also to submit comments on the following: (1) The principal challenges SMEs face in trying to comply with the EAR, including any challenges that SMEs uniquely face and approaches to overcoming these challenges; (2) The value of current BIS outreach, education and counseling to SMEs in understanding and complying with the EAR; (3) Ways to improve or expand SMEs’ awareness, knowledge and understanding of the EAR and increase their capacity to comply with them; and (4) Data, including comparative international data, that support comments and recommendations related to items (1) through (3) above; and that provide examples of effective methods of administering and enforcing export controls with special attention to SMEs. Comments should be submitted to BIS as described in the ADDRESSES section of this notice by December 6, 2010. BIS will consider all comments submitted in response to this NOI that are received before the close of the comment period. Comments received after the end of the comment period will be considered if possible, but their consideration cannot be assured. BIS will not accept public comments accompanied by a request that a part or all of the material be PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 61707 treated confidentially because of its business proprietary nature or for any other reason. BIS will return such comments and materials to the persons submitting the comments and will not consider them. All public comments in response to this NOI must be in writing (including fax or email) and will be a matter of public record, and will be available for public inspection and copying on the BIS Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Reading Room Web site at https://bis.doc.gov/foia/ default.htm. Dated: September 27, 2010. Kevin J. Wolf, Assistant Secretary for Export Administration. [FR Doc. 2010–25152 Filed 10–5–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–33–P COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request: Proposed Collection; Comment Request: Rules Pertaining to Contract Markets and Their Members Commodity Futures Trading Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the CFTC is planning to submit the following proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Rules Pertaining to Contract Markets and Their Members; [OMB Control Number 3038–0022]. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, the CFTC is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 6, 2010. ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to David Van Wagner, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Division of Market Oversight, 202–418–5481, fax 202–418–5507, e-mail dvanwagner@cftc.gov. Refer to OMB Control No. 3038–0022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Van Wagner at 202–418–5481, fax 202–418–5507, e-mail dvanwagner@cftc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are registered entities (designated contract markets, registered derivatives transaction SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\06OCN1.SGM 06OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 193 (Wednesday, October 6, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61706-61707]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-25152]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Industry and Security

[Docket No. 100920454-0473-02]


Request for Public Comments Regarding Small and Medium 
Enterprises' Understanding of and Compliance With the Export 
Administration Regulations

AGENCY: Bureau of Industry and Security, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Inquiry.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is publishing a 
notice of inquiry to solicit comments from the public regarding small 
and medium enterprises' (SMEs) understanding of and compliance with 
export controls maintained pursuant to the Export Administration 
Regulations (EAR). BIS anticipates that input from the public will help 
it administer and enforce export controls in a manner consistent with 
U.S. national security while facilitating and even increasing 
legitimate trade involving SMEs and the exporting community in general.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 6, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this notice of inquiry, 
identified by ``Notice of Inquiry--SME'', by any of the following 
methods:
    E-mail: publiccomments@bis.doc.gov. Include ``Notice of Inquiry--
SME'' in the subject line of the message.
    Fax: (202) 482-3355. Please alert the Regulatory Policy Division, 
by calling (202) 482-2440, if you are faxing comments.
    Mail or Hand Delivery/Courier: Sheila Quarterman, U.S. Department 
of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Exporter 
Services, Regulatory Policy Division, 14th Street & Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW., Room 2705, Washington, DC 20230, Attn: ``Notice of 
Inquiry--SME''.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila Quarterman, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Exporter Services,

[[Page 61707]]

Regulatory Policy Division, Telephone 202/482-2440, E-mail 
squarter@bis.doc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    President Obama's August 2009 call for broad-based review and 
modernization of U.S. export controls presented the Bureau of Industry 
and Security (BIS) a strategic opportunity to reach out to regulated 
groups such as small and medium enterprises (SMEs) regarding their 
experience with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). More 
recently, the President's National Export Initiative (NEI) announced in 
January 2010 focuses on expanding trade advocacy and opportunities, 
particularly for SMEs. Pursuant to the NEI, the Commerce Department's 
International Trade Administration will seek to increase the number of 
SMEs exporting over the next five years. BIS continues to develop the 
agency's commitment to addressing SMEs' concerns through its outreach 
efforts. At its October 2009 annual Update Conference on Export 
Controls, BIS led a roundtable discussion on SMEs' export compliance 
concerns.
    In this notice of inquiry (NOI), BIS is soliciting information 
regarding SMEs' understanding of and compliance with the EAR. BIS 
intends to use the information to evaluate the need for innovations and 
revisions that will enhance SMEs' understanding of and compliance with 
the EAR. Given SMEs' strategic position in export trade, the EAR must 
continue to address SMEs' concerns in a manner that promotes compliance 
without adversely affecting competitiveness. Ultimately, the agency 
seeks to administer and enforce export controls in a manner that 
protects U.S. national security while facilitating and even increasing 
legitimate trade involving SMEs and the exporting community in general.
    It is important to BIS to identify and address issues that impact a 
range of SMEs' understanding of and compliance with the EAR. BIS 
intends that this NOI will yield useful input not only from and about 
enterprises with extensive experience in export trade but also from and 
about enterprises less familiar and less experienced in export trade.
    Unlike for small businesses or enterprises, there is no widely 
accepted or agreed upon definition of medium enterprises. However, 
industry and government entities have made progress in incorporating 
the consideration of medium enterprises in matters of global trade.
    In formulating an appropriate definition of SMEs for purposes of 
this NOI, BIS reviewed relevant data from U.S. Government, industry, 
and international sources, including the U.S. International Trade 
Commission (USITC), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Commerce's 
Bureau of the Census, and the European Commission. In particular, a 
recent USITC report, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Overview of 
Participation in U.S. Exports (USITC Publication 4125, January 2010), 
and the SBA Office of Advocacy's analysis on which it draws offer 
helpful guidance in defining SMEs. Based on the USITC report, the 
related analysis from the SBA's Office of Advocacy, and the SBA's 
definition of ``business concern'' (13 CFR 121.105), BIS defines SMEs 
for purposes of this NOI as enterprises with fewer than 500 employees, 
organized for profit, and independently operated and established within 
the United States. Given the range of sectors that participate in dual-
use exports, BIS does not believe that a revenue threshold is 
appropriate. BIS welcomes comments regarding this definition.
    Comments that identify issues and make recommendations regarding 
SMEs' awareness and understanding of the EAR, as well as their 
experiences complying with the EAR, will be instructive. BIS invites 
the public also to submit comments on the following:
    (1) The principal challenges SMEs face in trying to comply with the 
EAR, including any challenges that SMEs uniquely face and approaches to 
overcoming these challenges;
    (2) The value of current BIS outreach, education and counseling to 
SMEs in understanding and complying with the EAR;
    (3) Ways to improve or expand SMEs' awareness, knowledge and 
understanding of the EAR and increase their capacity to comply with 
them; and
    (4) Data, including comparative international data, that support 
comments and recommendations related to items (1) through (3) above; 
and that provide examples of effective methods of administering and 
enforcing export controls with special attention to SMEs.
    Comments should be submitted to BIS as described in the ADDRESSES 
section of this notice by December 6, 2010. BIS will consider all 
comments submitted in response to this NOI that are received before the 
close of the comment period. Comments received after the end of the 
comment period will be considered if possible, but their consideration 
cannot be assured. BIS will not accept public comments accompanied by a 
request that a part or all of the material be treated confidentially 
because of its business proprietary nature or for any other reason. BIS 
will return such comments and materials to the persons submitting the 
comments and will not consider them. All public comments in response to 
this NOI must be in writing (including fax or email) and will be a 
matter of public record, and will be available for public inspection 
and copying on the BIS Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Reading Room 
Web site at https://bis.doc.gov/foia/default.htm.

    Dated: September 27, 2010.
Kevin J. Wolf,
Assistant Secretary for Export Administration.
[FR Doc. 2010-25152 Filed 10-5-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-33-P

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