The United States International Trade Commission (Commission), at the request of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), is preparing a report on the U.S. and global remanufactured goods industries, markets, and trade. The report will provide an overview of the U.S. remanufactured goods industries and markets, estimate U.S. and global trade in remanufactured goods, and examine factors affecting trends in remanufactured goods trade. In addition to consulting publicly available sources, the Commission will issue a questionnaire to firms to collect vital information relevant to the USTR's request.
Under section 332 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332), the Commission conducts investigations on trade and tariff matters at the request of the President, the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means, and the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. The subject investigation was requested by the USTR, on behalf of the President, with a deadline that requires the prompt issuance of questionnaires. The collection of these data via questionnaire is integral to the CommissionÂs ability to fulfill the USTRÂs request. After the Commission receives the completed questionnaires, it will need time to compile and analyze the responses. The Commission will aggregate responses, which will be published in the public report. The Commission cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures under 5 CFR 1320.10(b) for this investigation. The questionnaires are tentatively scheduled to be mailed on or before January 20, 2012, in order to give respondents sufficient time to fill out the questionnaires, which are due back to the Commission by February 20, 2012. The USTR has asked the Commission to transmit its report by October 28, 2012.
US Code:
19 USC 1332
Name of Law: Investigations
US Code:
19 USC 1333
Name of Law: Methods employed in obtaining information
The burden increased because of a request from the office of the United States Trade Representative for a report on the U.S. and global remanufactured goods industries, markets, and trade. Such data are not publicly available and this is a one-time collection of such data. The request letter is attached as a supplemental document. The questionnaire will collect vital information relevant to fulfilling the Commission's statutory duty to collect information related to a request made by the USTR under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)). Without the questionnaire, the Commission will be unable to furnish the information requested by the USTR and will be unable to satisfactorily discharge its responsibility under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
2_OMB Support Statement Part B Remanufactured Goods_Final-1.doc
USTR_Official Request Letter on Reman Goods_6.28.11.pdf
Manufacturing and Remanufacturing Activities Questionnaire