Industry representatives serving on the Standards IFAC provide advice on trade policy matters. Recently, members of the Standards IFAC have provided advice on a range of issues including: the Second Triennial Review of the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Committee on Standards-Related Measures, Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Negotiations, the Asia Pacific Economic Community (APEC) Subcommittee on Standards and Conformance, the Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD), and the Transatlantic Economic Partnership. The Standards IFAC evaluated and provided guidance to the USG on how to improve implementation of the TBT Agreement such as - notification and procedures of technical regulations, international standards and standardization bodies, conformity assessment procedures, technical assistance, and special and differential treatment. The Standards IFAC also provides guidance on bilateral standards measures and regional harmonization standards work that impact US industry. Most recently, this forum served as a useful tool to address Mexican product certification procedures. US input in the ongoing discussions in APEC on standards and conformance has been enhanced by the involvement of IFAC 2 members. 

Industry representatives serving on the Industry Functional Advisory Committee on Standards have a voice in U.S. trade policy formulation through the Industry Consultations Program (ICP), which emerged from the 1974 Trade Act, to ensure that trade negotiators were coordinating with the private sector during trade negotiations. Based on the program's success, the ICP was renewed and expanded by the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 and the Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988. The Department of Commerce, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), and other agencies work side-by-side with business leaders who serve as advisors to the U.S. Government. The Department of Commerce and USTR have joint responsibility for operating the Advisory Committees of the ICP.

Eligibility for Membership on the Standards IFAC
Committee members are U.S. citizens representing U.S. manufacturing or service, trade internationally, and have a special interest in and knowledge of international trade issues. Representatives of industry associations may also participate. Additional information can be found on the Industry Consultations Program's website at www.ita.doc.gov/icp or by contacting: