ITC Seeks Comments on Extending Import Injury Info Collections
The International Trade Commission has submitted a proposed three-year extension for Office of Management and Budget approval of the current "generic clearance," under which the ITC issues information collections in certain import injury investigations.
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Comments submitted to OMB on the proposed information collection should be specific, indicating which part of the questionnaires or study plan are objectionable, describing the issue in detail, and including specific revisions or language changes. Comments are due by June 9, 2011.
Info Collected for AD/CV, NAFTA Safeguard, USDA Investigations, Etc.
Under "generic clearance" (previously approved by OMB under control No. 3117-0016), the ITC can issue information collections (specifically, producer, importer, purchaser, and foreign producer questionnaires and certain institution notices) for the following types of import injury investigations: antidumping and countervailing duty, escape clause, market disruption, North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) safeguard, and "interference with programs of the USDA."
Forms Include Importer & Foreign Producer Questionnaires, Sunset Review Notices
The proposed information collection consists of five forms, namely the Sample Producers', Sample Importers', Sample Purchasers', and Sample Foreign Producers' questionnaires (separate forms are provided for questionnaires issued for the five-year sunset reviews) and Sample Notice of Institution for Five-Year Reviews.
The ITC states that types of items contained within the sample questionnaires and institution notice are largely determined by statute. Actual questions formulated for use in a specific investigation depend upon such factors as the nature of the industry, the relevant issues, the ability of respondents to supply the data, and the availability of data from secondary sources.
The information collected through questionnaires issued under the generic clearance for import injury investigations is consolidated by ITC staff and forms much of the statistical base for the ITC's determinations.
(See ITC notice for total estimated annual reporting burden hours for July 2011-June 2014.)