January 30, 2012
News Release 12-010
Inv. No. 332-528
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has launched an investigation into the extent of U.S. exports of used electronics products.

The study will cover audio and visual equipment, computers and peripheral equipment, digital imaging devices, telecommunication equipment, and component parts of these products, as well as other electronic products the Commission deems relevant.

The investigation, Used Electronic Products: An Examination of U.S Exports, was requested by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide an overview of U.S. exports of used electronics products; discuss the types of foreign enterprises receiving U.S. exporters' shipments and the types of domestic exporting enterprises; and describe the characteristics of used electronic products exported from the United States, including product condition and the composition of export shipments.

The USITC will submit its report to USTR by February 8, 2013.

The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation at 9:30 a.m. on May 15, 2012. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on April 16, 2012 with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. For further information, call 202-205-2000.

The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions (one original and 14 copies) should be addressed to the Secretary of the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date, but no later than 5:15 p.m. on September 14, 2012. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.

Further information on the scope of the investigation and appropriate submissions is available in the USITC's notice of investigation, dated January 30, 2012, which can be obtained from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000.

USITC general factfinding investigations, such as this one, cover matters related to tariffs or trade and are generally conducted at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the House Committee on Ways and Means, or the Senate Committee on Finance. The resulting reports convey the Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subject investigated. The Commission makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in its general factfinding reports. Upon completion of each investigation, the USITC submits its findings and analyses to the requester. General factfinding investigations reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.