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.

Back to Table of Contents

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.

Back to Table of Contents

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.

Back to Table of Contents

International Classification for Standards (ICS)

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.

Back to Table of Contents

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.

Back to Table of Contents

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.
• Office of Consumer Goods (OCG) analysts study the competitiveness of U.S. industries, identify tariff and non-tariff barriers to U.S. exports, participate in bilateral and multilateral negotiations to ensure consumer goods industries receive fair treatment abroad, and research promising export markets for consumer goods products.
• Import Administration Enforcement and Compliance (E&C) impartially enforces U.S. trade laws, ensuring that U.S. products face a level playing field in the domestic marketplace.
• Office of Standards and Investment Policy (OSIP) contributes to the formulation of standards and investment policy with the goal of improving market access for U.S. industry.

Back to Table of Contents

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.

Get in-depth information and solid advice on issues relevant to any prospective exporter with the new edition of A Basic Guide to Exporting.

Back to Table of Contents

Trade Information Center (TIC)

The Trade Information Center (TIC) is the first stop for companies seeking export assistance from the U.S. Government. The TIC is located in the Department of Commerce's USA Trade Center in Washington, D.C. The USA Trade Center offers specialized services, including counseling on free trade agreements, export licensing, and focus centers for China, the Middle East and North Africa, and the Newly Independent States (Russia and former Soviet republics).

Back to Table of Contents

1-800-USA-TRADE

The 1-800-USA-TRADE contact center provides U.S. businesses with help for their exporting questions, whether it is with a fast response or connection to the right U.S. Government resource. To find out more information and to request assistance, please visit Export.gov FAQ.

Back to Table of Contents

U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEACs)

U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEACs) provide front-line outreach and service operations for U.S. exporters through the assistance of International Trade Specialists working in over 100 locations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Contact a Trade Specialist Near You.

Back to Table of Contents

U.S. Department of Commerce Advocacy Center

The Advocacy Center helps to ensure that sales of U.S. products and services have the best possible chance competing abroad. Advocacy assistance is wide and varied but often involves companies that want the U.S. Government to communicate a message to foreign governments or government-owned corporations on behalf of their commercial interest, typically in a competitive bid contest.

Back to Table of Contents

Textiles and Apparel Export Promotion Program (OTEXA)

The Textiles and Apparel Export Promotion Program (OTEXA) provides specialized assistance to businesses interested in exporting in this industry, through export-counseling, seminars, business match-makings, sponsorship of trade missions, U.S.A. pavilions in major international trade events, and research to identify key export opportunities in selected markets.

Back to Table of Contents

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, your company can create a profile, providing product and company exposure to a global audience. You can also explore the U.S. Trade Assistance Directory’s comprehensive list of export service providers that will help develop your global business. For more information, and to register immediately for the web edition (and for the upcoming print edition), visit The Export Yellow Pages

Back to Table of Contents

System for Tracking Agricultural Regulations (STAR)

Each year, foreign governments notify the World Trade Organization (WTO) about changes in their domestic regulations that could impact international trade in food and agricultural products. Under WTO rules, other WTO member countries have the opportunity to evaluate these regulatory changes to determine whether they might pose sanitary/phytosanitary (SPS) concerns or technical barriers to trade (TBT).

This system, System for Tracking Agricultural Regulations (STAR), allows users to monitor and evaluate these notifications and provide input to FAS that can be incorporated into official U.S. government comments. The system also helps U.S. businesses remain abreast of global regulatory developments that may affect their exports.

New Applicants: If you do not already have a USDA eAuthentication account, you must create one before accessing the system. Visit https://www.eauth.usda.gov/ and request Level 1 access.

Back to Table of Contents

Standards.gov

Administered by the Standards Coordination Office (SCO) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Standards.gov provides information about the use of documentary standards and conformity assessment activities in the Federal government; background materials and resources on the standards landscape that can be useful for industry and academia; and standards and conformity assessment information freely available to the general public.

Back to Table of Contents

Standards Information Center

The Standards Information Center serves as a starting point to identify information on standards, regulations, conformity assessment, and other compliance requirements. The Center helps users navigate a complex U.S. and international standards landscape.

Back to Table of Contents

Guides for Industry: Compliance Requirements

A set of guides on product compliance requirements in specific industry sectors has been released by NIST's Standards Services. The guides include information on Federal and State regulatory frameworks, voluntary standards frameworks, applicable voluntary standards, mandatory technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures for each sector.

Back to Table of Contents