U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
AND THE
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

CHARTER OF THE

COMMITTEE OF CHAIRS
OF INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEES
FOR TRADE POLICY MATTERS

 

1. ESTABLISHMENT

The Committee of Chairs of the Industry Advisory Committees for Trade Policy Matters (the Committee) was established on March 21, 1980, and extended on March 11, 1982, March 6, 1984, March 7, 1986, March 8, 1988, March 8, 1990, March 8, 1992, March 1, 1994, March 1, 1996, March 20, 1998, and March 17, 2000, by the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) and the United States Trade Representative (the USTR) pursuant to the authority delegated under Executive Order 11846 of March 27, 1975, as an advisory committee established under Subsection 135(c)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-618), as amended by Section 1103 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (Public Law 96-39), and Section 1631 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-418, 102 Stat. 1107 (1988)). 

In establishing the Committee, the Secretary and the USTR consulted with interested private organizations and took into account the factors set forth in Subsection 135(c)(2)(B) of the Trade Act of 1974. In accordance with the provisions of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, and 41 CFR 101-6.1001, Federal Advisory Committee Management Rule, the Committee is rechartered.

2. MEMBERS AND COMMITTEE OFFICERS

The Committee consists of the chairs of the Industry Sector Advisory Committees for Trade Policy Matters (ISACs) and the Industry Functional Advisory Committees for Trade Policy Matters (IFACs). In the absence of the chair of a particular ISAC or IFAC, a vice chair or other member designated by the Chair may serve as an alternate member.

3. OBJECTIVES AND DUTIES

The Committee advises the Secretary and the USTR concerning the trade matters of common interest to the ISACs and IFACs referred to in Sections 101, 102, and 124 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended; with respect to the operation of any trade agreement once entered into; and with respect to other matters arising in connection with the development, implementation, and administration of the trade policy of the United States including those matters referred to in Reorganization Plan Number 3 of 1979 and Executive Order 12188, and the priorities for actions thereunder.

In addition, the Committee performs such functions and duties as required by Section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, with respect to the sector and functional advisory committees. The Committee also performs such other advisory functions relevant to trade policy matters as may be requested by the Secretary and the USTR or their designees.

4. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

a. The Committee reports to the Secretary and the USTR, or their designees,  through the Department's Under Secretary for International Trade and the Assistant Secretary for Trade Development (the Assistant Secretary), and the USTR's Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison (AUSTR).

b. The Committee meets at irregular intervals at the call of the Secretary and the USTR, or their designees, acting jointly.

c. The Assistant Secretary and the AUSTR or their designees, are responsible for prior approval of the agendas for all Committee meetings.

d. The Assistant Secretary provides staff support and services for the Committee.

e. Except as otherwise provided in this charter, the Department of Commerce is responsible for filings and other applicable statutory requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The USTR, or his designee, has responsibility for determinations made pursuant to Subsection 135(f) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended.

f. The estimated annual operating cost of the Committee is $35,528.00, which includes 0.70 person-years of staff support.
g. The Committee functions solely as an advisory committee in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, with the exceptions set forth in the Trade Act of 1974, as amended.

h. Members of the Committee will not be compensated for their services or reimbursed for travel expenses.

i. The Committees may establish subcommittees from among its members as may be necessary, subject to the approval of the Secretary and the USTR, or their designees, and the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and Part II (Chapter II, Section F), of the Department of Commerce Committee Management Handbook.

j. Commerce's Trade Advisory Center will maintain all files mandated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act and Commerce's policies on advisory committee management.

5. DURATION

This charter shall expire two years from the date indicated below unless it is earlier revoked or extended by proper authority by appropriate action.
 
 

______________________________                                   ________________________________
Chief Financial Officer and                                                            Assistant U.S. Trade Representative
Assistant Secretary for Administration                                                for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison
U.S. Department of Commerce                                                     Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

 

_March 18, 2002_________________
Date