Industry representatives serving on the Building Products and Other Materials ISAC provide advice on trade policy matters. Recently, members of the Building Products and Other Materials ISAC have provided advice on a range of issues that included: recent negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); the World Trade Organization (WTO); the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC); theOrganization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); new trade relations with China, Eastern Europe, and the former Soviet Union; trade and labor issues; and, environmental agreements.

Industry representatives serving on the ISAC on Building Products and Other Materials 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 Building Products & Other Materials ISAC
Committee members are U.S. citizens representing U.S. manufacturing or service firms in the building products and other materials industry, 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: