[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 86575-86576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28813]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Transportation Security Administration
Notice of Meeting
AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland
Security (DHS).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to standards of the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO), effective June 30, 2021, all international air-
cargo transported on commercial aircraft must be screened by the
aircraft operator or received from another regulated entity that has
applied security controls that satisfy the international standards. The
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intends to implement a new
program that meets the ICAO standards for an alternative to screening
and is announcing a closed meeting with representatives of e-commerce
fulfillment centers, manufacturers, shippers, suppliers, warehouses,
and third-party logistics providers who ship international air cargo to
discuss this alternative framework. This meeting will be closed to the
public. Participation is limited and all participants must be validated
by TSA as a representative of one of the industries identified above
and obtain clearance from TSA for access to Sensitive Security
Information (SSI). In light of the COVID-19 public health crisis, the
meeting will be virtual.
DATES: This meeting will occur on Wednesday, January 13, 2021,
beginning at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time). Requests to attend the
meeting must be received by the individual listed in FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT on or before January 6, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Additional information on SSI can be found at the following
link: https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/sensitive-security-information.
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, the meeting will be held
virtually. See Participation at the Meeting below for information on
how to register to attend the meeting. TSA will provide participation
and other information to qualified participants in advance of the
meeting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Friedman, Transportation
Security Administration, 6595 Springfield Center Drive, Springfield, VA
20598-6028; telephone (571) 227-3555 OR (202) 236-3786; email
Thomas.Friedman@tsa.dhs.gov OR Air Cargo Branch, TSA at the above
address.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Effective June 30, 2021, international standards require that all
international air cargo carried by commercial air carriers (passenger
and all-cargo) be screened or received from an entity that has applied
security controls and/or screened the cargo. On April 10, 2020, TSA
published a Request for Information (RFI): Air Cargo Security Options
to Mitigate Costs of Compliance with International Security
Requirements.\1\ The RFI requested information from the public,
specifically the air cargo industry, relating to compliance with
international security standards for the transport of air cargo.\2\ TSA
extended the comment period for the RFI and held a public meeting on
July 29, 2020, to provide information to assist the public in
submitting comments and obtain feedback from the industry.\3\ Through
the RFI, TSA specifically sought information regarding options to
reduce the burden on U.S. and foreign all-cargo aircraft operators in
complying with the international standards, such as security controls
implemented throughout the supply chain that provides a level of
security commensurate with the screening of cargo before air transport.
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\1\ See 85 FR 20234 (April 10, 2020).
\2\ Options considered are limited to the transport of air cargo
on all-cargo aircraft. All cargo transported on passenger aircraft
must be screened as required by TSA's regulations, which implement
49 U.S.C. 44901(g).
\3\ See 85 FR 37958 (June 24, 2020) and transcript available at
www.regulations.gov under Docket No. TSA-2020-0001.
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Closed Meeting
On January 13, 2021, TSA will hold a closed meeting to present a
new program that e-commerce fulfillment centers, manufacturers,
shippers, suppliers, warehouses, and third-party logistics providers
who ship international air cargo could voluntarily choose to
participate in as an alternative to having their air cargo screened by
a TSA-regulated commercial air carrier. This discussion requires
participants to speak freely about issues that would be detrimental to
transportation safety and security if disclosed.
Pursuant to the requirements in Title 49 of the United States Code
(U.S.C.) sections 114(r) and 44912(d), and implementing regulations in
title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 1520, this
meeting will be closed to the public to protect against disclosure of
SSI. SSI protections apply to information related to development of
procedures and facilities ``to protect passengers and property against
acts of criminal violence, aircraft privacy, and terrorism and to
ensure security.'' \4\ All participants must either be ``covered
persons'' as defined in 49 CFR 1520.7, or otherwise designated by TSA
as a ``covered person'' for purposes of this event. Participants will
be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement, which includes
acknowledgment of TSA's SSI requirements, and ensure that any
information received or otherwise communicated is properly protected.
The responsibilities of participants to safeguard all SSI disclosed
during or related to this meeting will continue after the conclusion of
the industry day event.
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\4\ See 49 U.S.C. 44912(d).
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Participation at the Meeting
In addition to providing invitations to relevant associations and
corporate representatives known to TSA through its regular stakeholder
engagements, TSA also invites representatives of manufacturers,
shippers, suppliers, warehouses, e-commerce fulfillment centers, third-
party logistics providers that rely on international air cargo
transportation for commercial purposes. Participants will be encouraged
to share their feedback about TSA's proposed alternate framework to
assist industry in implementing the new ICAO standards.
Persons within these industries are encouraged to contact the
individual noted in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
notice for additional information. Participation in the meeting is
limited to individuals that TSA determines represent industry entities
potentially and directly affected by the international standards. TSA
will limit participation to no more than two individuals per
association or company. All participants must be approved by TSA for
access to SSI and must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement in advance of
the meeting. Further attendance information will be provided to
qualified participants.
The meeting on January 13, 2021, is scheduled to be a full-day
meeting beginning at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard
[[Page 86576]]
Time) but may end earlier if the discussion has concluded.
Stacey Fitzmaurice,
Executive Assistant Administrator, Operations Support, Transportation
Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020-28813 Filed 12-23-20; 4:15 pm]
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