CPSC to Hold Workshop on Electronic Filing of Certificates of Compliance at Entry

The Consumer Product Safety Commission will hold a public workshop on Sept. 18 to discuss electronic filing of certificates of compliance as part of the import entry process. CPSC says it will use input it gets from the workshop to inform its implementation of electronic filing at time of entry, which may take the form of an electronic document or data elements in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). Registration is required by Aug. 8 for presenters, and Sept. 5 for all others who want to attend the workshop, which will also be webcast. Registration will be available (here). CPSC will also accept written comments by Oct. 31.

CBP proposed in May 2013 to require filing of electronic certificates of compliance at time of entry (see 13051018). In its proposed rule, CPSC said its ultimate goal was filing of certificates as data elements in ACE. That approach would facilitate integration of certificates into CPSC targeting efforts, including the Risk Assessment Methodology (RAM) program currently being tested. But recognizing that software upgrades may be required for CBP to accept certificates of compliance, CPSC said it may in the beginning accept them in PDF form.

CPSC says it is holding its workshop in response to requests from industry. It is asking for input on importers’ current certificate and import procedures, including procedures that importers follow to create certificates and difficulties they face. CPSC says it is also interested in hearing the anticipated challenges of electronic filing, including implementation in ACE and the matching of certificates to individual products. CPSC says importers will also be able to provide questions and concerns to CBP related to electronic filing.

(Federal Register 07/03/14)