UNIFORM STATISTICAL DATA ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS, AND PRODUCTION.

SEC. 608. UNIFORM STATISTICAL DATA ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS, AND PRODUCTION. (a) * * * (b) In carrying out the responsibilities under section 484(e), Tariff Act of 1930 and other pertinent statutes, the Secretary of Commerce and the United States International Trade Commission shall conduct jointly a study of existing commodity classification systems with a view to identifying the appropriate principles and concepts which should guide the organization and development of an enumeration of articles which would result in comparability of United States import, production, and export data. The Secretary and the United States International Trade Commission shall submit a report to both Houses of Congress and to the President with respect to such study not later than August 1, 1975. (c) In further connection with its responsibilities pursuant to subsections (a) and (b), the United States International Trade Commission shall undertake an investigation under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 which would provide the basis for— (1) a report on the appropriate concepts and principles which should underlie the formulation of an international commodity code adaptable for modernized tariff nomenclature purposes and for recording, handling, and reporting of transactions in national and international trade, taking into account how such a code could meet the needs of sound customs and trade reporting practices reflecting the interests of United States and other countries, such report to be submitted to both Houses of Congress and to the President as soon as feasible, but in any event, no later than June 1, 1975; and (2) full and immediate participation by the United States International Trade Commission in the United States contribution to technical work of the Harmonized Systems Committee under the Customs Cooperation Council to assure the recognition of the needs of the United States business community in the development of a Harmonized Code reflecting sound principles of commodity identification and specification and modern producing methods and trading practices. and, in carrying out such responsibilities, the Commission shall report to both Houses of Congress and to the President, as it deems appropriate. (d) The President is requested to direct the appropriate agencies to cooperate fully with the Secretary of Commerce and the United States International Trade Commission in carrying out their responsibilities under subsections (a), (b), and (c). (e) The amendment made by subsection (a) insofar as it relates to export declarations shall take effect on January 1, 1976. [19 U.S.C. 1484 notes] * * * * * * *