In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, OMB approves this information collection until
September 1, 1988. The Paperwork Reduction Act requires OMB to
minimize the Federal paperwork burden imposed on the public, to
improve the quality of data collected by the Federal government,
and to ensure the practical utility of Federal information
collections. The foreign availability regulations (15 CFR 391)
establish a procedure by which the public submits information in
support of investigations to determine the foreign availability of
controlled commodities and technologies. The business community
expends considerable time and resources gathering and submitting
pamphlets, brochures, photographs, and other evidence of foreign
availability. Yet as a recent GAO report concluded, the governing
regulations are too general to constructively guide businesses in
submitting timely, useful information. It appears that the
open-minded nature of the regulations invites the submission of
unnecessary information and therefore imposes a needless burden on
the reporting public. Consistent with 5 CFR 1320.14(f) and (g),
therefore BXA is instructed to amend its foreign availability
regulations to clarify what information it finds useful in making
foreign availability determinations. A letter explaining this
decision in greater detail and outlining a schedule for the
rulemaking will be sent shortly.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
09/30/1988
09/30/1988
03/31/1988
1,200
0
500
2,420
0
1,000
0
0
0
THE FOREIGN AVAILABILITY ASSESSMENT
DIVISION ADDRESSES CLAIMS BY U.S. EXPORTERS OF FOREIGN AVAILABILITY
OF U.S. CONTROLLED COMMODITIES AND TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL HELP
MINIMIZE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF THE U.S. EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM ON U.S.
COMPETITIVENESS IN FOREIGN MARKETS.
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.