| The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. 2531-2573), P.L. 96-39, authorized the implementation of all agreements negotiated during the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Tokyo Round, including those relating to non-tariff barriers, also known as technical barriers to trade and/or standards-related barriers. Title IV, Section 413 of the Act directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Agriculture to ensure that they are kept informed of the adequacy of representation in international standards-related activities, to identify any activities that might substantially affect the commerce of the United States, and to coordinate with the Special Representative (the Office of the United States Trade Representative, USTR) with respect to international standards-related activities. USTR is responsiblef or coordinating U.S. discussions and negotiations with other countries with respect to standards-related activities. Within NIST, Technology Service's Office of Standards Services is responsible for carrying out several Title IV functions. These include maintaining a reference collection of standards and certification information, the inquiry point on standards, conformity assessment, and technical regulations. OSS also maintains a technical office for non-agricultural products to assist manufacturers with standards-relate problems and monitors the adequacy of U.S. representation in private international standards activities, particularly with regard to the potential impact on international trade. The 1994 revision of the Trade Agreements Act (P.L. 103-465), also entitled the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, did not amend these responsibilities. |
