[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 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#67330f080a06144921150e02030a06092713140649030f1449000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="91c5f9fefcf0e2bfd7e3f8f4f5fcf0ffd1e5e2f0bff5f9e2bff6fee7">[email protected]</span></a> 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]
BILLING CODE 9110-05-P


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