International Trade Commission April 6, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Following receipt on March 9, 2006, of a request from the Committee on Ways and Means of the U.S. House of Representatives (Committee) under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. (332(g)), the Commission instituted investigation No. 332-474, Medical Devices and Equipment: Competitive Conditions Affecting U.S. Trade in Japan and Other Principal Foreign Markets. Background: As requested by the Committee, the Commission will conduct an investigation under section 332(g) and prepare a report assessing competitive conditions affecting U.S. trade of medical devices and equipment in principal foreign markets. In preparing its report, the Commission will, as requested, closely examine the regulatory conditions of competition affecting U.S. sales and trade of medical devices and equipment in Japan, and other principal foreign markets, for the most recent 5-year period. The Commission will focus on the main U.S. exports of medical devices and equipment to these markets during this period, and compare Japan's regulatory conditions to those of the other major foreign markets for U.S.-made medical devices and equipment. This report will also include, to the extent possible, for the most recent 5-year period: (1) An overview of the global market for medical devices and equipment, including production, consumption, and trade; (2) profiles of the medical device and equipment industries in the United States and principal foreign producer countries; (3) an analysis of U.S. trade in medical devices and equipment with major competitor countries including a description of trade practices, regulatory measures such as product approvals, and government and private expenditures on medical research; and (4) an examination of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements that have addressed regulatory issues in major foreign markets, including Japan's, and the implications for the U.S. medical device and equipment industry. The Commission will provide its report to the Committee by March 9, 2007.