Oct 12 -- The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is accepting applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as a member of the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC), which provides general policy advice to the U.S. Trade Representative on trade policy matters that have a significant impact on the environment. USTR will accept nominations on a rolling basis for membership on the TEPAC for the two-year charter term that began on September 28, 2021, and will expire on September 28, 2023.
More specifically, the TEPAC provides general policy advice with respect to the effect on the environment of implementation of trade agreements; negotiating objectives and bargaining positions before entering into trade agreements; the operation of any trade agreement once entered into, and other matters arising in connection with the development, implementation, and administration of the trade policy of the United States.
The TEPAC meets as needed, at the call either of the U.S. Trade Representative or their designee, or two-thirds of the TEPAC members, depending on various factors such as the level of activity of trade negotiations and the needs of the U.S. Trade Representative.
The TEPAC is composed of not more than 35 members, including, but not limited to, representatives from environmental interest groups (including environmental justice), industry (including the environmental technology and environmental services industries), agriculture, academia, consumer groups, services, non-governmental organizations, and others with expertise in trade and environment matters. USTR intends for the TEPAC to be broadly representative of key sectors and groups of the economy with an interest in trade and environmental policy issues. Fostering diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) is one of the top priorities.
The U.S. Trade Representative appoints TEPAC members for a term that will not exceed the duration of this charter. Members serve at the discretion of the U.S. Trade Representative. Individuals can be reappointed for any number of terms.
The U.S. Trade Representative appoints TEPAC members to represent their sponsoring U.S. entity's interests on trade and the environment, and thus USTR's foremost consideration for applicants is their ability to carry out the goals of section 135(c) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. Other criteria include the applicant's knowledge of and expertise in international trade issues as relevant to the work of the TEPAC and USTR. USTR anticipates that almost all TEPAC members will serve in a representative capacity with a limited number serving in an individual capacity as subject matter experts. For representative members, who will comprise almost all of the TEPAC, the person must represent a U.S. organization whose members (or funders) have a demonstrated interest in issues relevant to trade and the environment or have personal experience or expertise in trade and the environment.
TEPAC website:
https://ustr.gov/about-us/advisory-committees/trade-and-environment-policy-advisory-committee-tepac
FR notice inviting nominations to TEPAC:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/10/12/2021-22133/notice-of-continuation-and-request-for-nominations-for-the-trade-and-environment-policy-advisory