World Trade Organization (WTO)

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by many of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal of the WTO is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business and ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible.

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World Trade Organization (WTO) Notifications

Member countries submit "notifications" to the WTO Secretariat to announce changes in regulations that may affect trade with other Members. The WTO TBT notifications are circulated by the WTO Secretariat to all Members via the WTO website.

WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) notifications summarize important information about the proposed technical regulation: products covered, title, description, objective and rationale for its issuance, any relevant documents, proposed dates for the adoption of the regulation and its entry into force, and a proposed date by which Member countries must comment on the regulation if they wish to comment. Availability or access to the full text of the regulation is often included.

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Trade Information Center (TIC)

The Trade Information Center (TIC) is a comprehensive resource for information on all U.S. Federal Government export assistance programs. The Center is operated by the International Trade Administration (ITA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce's (DOC) for the 20 federal agencies comprising the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC). These agencies are responsible for managing the U.S. Government's export promotion programs and activities.

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Trade Compliance Center (TCC)

The Trade Compliance Center (TCC) is part of the Market Access and Compliance (MAC) in the U.S. Department of Commerce's (DOC)'s International Trade Administration (ITA). The TCC is the U.S. Government's focal point for monitoring foreign compliance with trade agreements. The TCC works to see that U.S. firms and workers get the maximum benefits from these agreements. The TCC is a one-stop resource for getting U.S. government assistance in resolving trade barriers to foreign markets.

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Market Access and Compliance (MAC)

The overall objectives in Market Access and Compliance (MAC) are to obtain market access for American firms and workers and to achieve full compliance by foreign nations with trade agreements they sign with our country.

U.S businesses and workers are the most productive in the world, but often find difficulties exporting their goods and services because of foreign barriers to trade. MAC can help. Once a problem is identified, MAC uses all available resources to assist American businesses and workers in finding a solution.

To help U.S. companies and workers obtain the fullest market opportunities, the MAC team is divided into country and regional experts and staff specializing in specific trade agreements.

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International Trade Administration (ITA)

The International Trade Administration (ITA) helps U.S. businesses participate fully in the growing global marketplace by providing practical information on markets and products. ITA ensures that U.S. businesses have access to international markets as required by our trade agreements and ITA safeguards U.S. businesses from unfair competition from dumped and subsidized imports.

ITA is headed by the Under Secretary for International Trade who oversees the operations of ITA's four units:

• The Commercial Service is the primary point of contact for U.S. businesses throughout the United States and the world. A global network of Commercial Officers can help at every stage of the exporting process.
• Manufacturing and Services is the government's link to American industry. Industry sector specialists can help identify trade opportunities for specific products or services.
• Market Access and Compliance (MAC) keeps world markets open to your products. Country specialists can help you benefit from our trade agreements with other countries.
• Import Administration impartially enforces U.S. trade laws, ensuring that U.S. products face a level playing field in the domestic marketplace.

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United States International Trade Commission (USITC)

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) is an independent, nonpartisan, quasi-judicial federal agency that provides trade expertise to both the legislative and executive branches of government, determines the impact of imports on U.S. industries, and directs actions against certain unfair trade practices, such as patent, trademark, and copyright infringement.

The mission of the Commission is to: (1) administer U.S. trade remedy laws within its mandate in a fair and objective manner; (2) provide the President, United States Trade Representative (USTR), and Congress with independent, quality analysis, information, and support on matters of tariffs and international trade and competitiveness; and (3) maintain the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

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International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a network of national standards organizations of 151 countries (on the basis of one member per country) with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system.

ISO is a non-governmental organization. Its members are not, as in the United Nations system, delegations of national governments. ISO occupies a special position between the public and private sectors. Many of its member organizations are part of the governmental structure of their countries, or are mandated by their government. Other members have their roots in the private sector, having been set up by national partnerships of industry associations.

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ISO Information Network (ISONET)

ISO created ISO Information Network (ISONET), the ISO Information Network, in 1976 to help users find information on ISO standards and on the several hundred thousand standards and technical regulations in use throughout the world. ISONET is an agreement between standardizing bodies to combine their efforts to make information on standards, technical regulations and related matters readily available.

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World Standards Services Network (WSSN)

World Standards Services Network (WSSN) is a network of publicly accessible World Wide Web servers of standards organizations around the world. Through the Web sites of its members, WSSN provides information on international, regional and national standardization, and related activities and services.

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Export.gov

Export.gov is a U.S. Government export information portal. The web site provides online trade resources and one-on-one assistance for U.S. businesses engaging in international commerce, whether the business is just starting or whether it is expanding into global sales. There is in-depth online information. Export.gov can be reached by telephone at 1-800-USA-TRADE.

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Standards.gov

Standards.gov is maintained and operated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Standards.gov offers background materials, useful links, and search tools for locating information about the use of standards in government. Its primary focus is on Federal agency use of standards for regulatory and procurement purposes.

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The Export Yellow Pages

Created through an exclusive partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce and Global Publishers LLC, The Export Yellow Pages gives U.S. exporters a simple and convenient way to establish contacts and conduct global business.

When you participate in The Export Yellow Pages, you leverage the power of the U.S. Department of Commerce in a comprehensive, well-targeted, multi-media program that gets your business in front of key U.S. and foreign companies -- the same companies that you want to do business with!

Your company can:

• Create a profile in The Export Yellow Pages

A quick and easy way to put your products in front of a worldwide audience, this annual publication and dynamic, searchable web site provides product and company exposure to hundreds of countries (and thousands of buyers and distributors) around the world.

• Explore the U.S Trade Assistance Directory

Find export service providers that will help develop your global business. This annual publication and web site, included with The Export Yellow Pages, features a comprehensive listing of sales agents, shippers, translators, bankers, and other services essential to your global success.

For more information, and to register immediately for the web edition (and for the upcoming print edition), go online to: The Export Yellow Pages

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International Classification for Standards (ICS), 2001

The International Classification for Standards (ICS) serves as a hierarchical structure for classifying and cataloguing international, regional, and national standards.

Use of ICS codes facilitates the harmonization of standards information for global dissemination and improved global communications on standards.

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