1.

Notifying Member: United States of America

If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):  

2.

Agency responsible: Federal Communications Commission (FCC) [1267]

Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, email and website addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above: Please submit comments to: USA WTO TBT Enquiry Point, Email:  usatbtep@nist.gov

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [ ], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [ ], 5.7.1 [ ], other: X

4.

Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Maritime radio equipment . Radiocommunications (ICS 33.060), Mobile services (ICS 33.070), Shipbuilding and marine structures in general (ICS 47.020)

5.

Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Maritime Radio Equipment and Related Matters (12 pages, in English).    

6.

Description of content: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) addresses a number of important issues regarding updating rules and requirements for technologies used to locate and rescue distressed ships and individuals in distress at sea or on land to provide better and more accurate data to rescue personnel. The Commission also addresses issues regarding radar equipment, the use of portable marine Very High Frequency (VHF) transmitters by persons on shore; permitting VHF digital small message service (VDSMS); and allowing assignment or transfer of control of ship station licenses. The Commission is amending its rules to permit the maritime community to make use of the most advanced and reliable communications technologies available for the alerting of search and rescue authorities when a vessel or individual is in distress, and to further the Commission's goal of ensuring that the spectrum allocated for emergency communications is used effectively and efficiently.

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: Protection of Human health or Safety

8.

Relevant documents: 81 Federal Register (FR) 90739, 15 December 2016; Title 47 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 1, 25, 80 and 95.  Will appear in the Federal Register when adopted.

Maritime Radio Equipment and Related Matters Proposed Rule published 1 April 2014:
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-04-01/html/2014-07140.htm
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-04-01/pdf/2014-07140.pdf  

9.

Proposed date of adoption:   17 January 2017

Proposed date of entry into force:   17 January 2017

10.

Final date for comments: None

11.

Texts available from: National enquiry point [  ] or address, telephone and fax numbers and email and website addresses, if available, of other body:

https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2016/TBT/USA/16_5248_00_e.pdf