Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. TSA Close to Finishing Specifications for "Touchless" TWIC Readers

The Journal of Commerce reports that the Transportation Security Administration is close to finishing technical specifications for "touchless" electronic readers for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential. The specifications will provide the details necessary for manufacturers to build readers that would collect information from a TWIC that is held close to the device. The TSA plans to test the readers at ports to control access in secure areas once it has enough enrolled TWIC holders to test. (JoC, dated 06/18/07, www.joc.com)

2. DHS Considers Third-Party Data Warehouse for Secure Freight

American Shipper reports that the Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary has stated that a third-party data warehouse owned and operated by the private sector would allow DHS to pull supply chain data from multiple computer systems to improve the automated risk assessment tools currently used to determine which ocean containers to inspect at foreign and U.S. ports as part of its Secure Freight Initiative. (American Shipper, dated 06/20/07, www.americanshipper.com)

3. BIS to Hold Partially Open Materials TAC Meeting on July 12 in DC

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a notice announcing that its Materials Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will hold a partially open meeting on July 12, 2007 in Washington, DC. The agenda for the public session includes a presentation on synthetic genomics, export control classification number (ECCN) review evaluation, etc. (FR Pub 06/26/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-3115.pdf)