DOC Requests Comments on Renewal of Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System
The Department of Commerce (DOC) today published in the Federal Register an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking public comments on whether to extend the Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) system and how to improve SIMA if the program is renewed.
The SIMA system was implemented by DOC in early 2003 in connection with the
imposition of safeguard measures on certain imported steel products. SIMA is
scheduled to expire on March 31, 2005 unless a replacement program is implemented.
SIMA was intended to provide steel producers, steel consumers, importers, and the
general public with information on imports of certain steel products. Currently, SIMA
requires licenses for imports of certain steel products that were formerly covered under the
President's safeguard action.
In order to determine whether SIMA should be extended, terminated or replaced by a
different steel import monitoring or licensing system, DOC is seeking comments on
the following topics: Product Coverage, Timing of License Applications and Possible
Modifications to the Import Monitoring program.
Written comments on SIMA must be submitted to DOC by September 24, 2004.
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