AGENCY: Bureau of Export Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Interim rule and request for comments.

SUMMARY: On April 25, 1997, the United States ratified the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction, also known as the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC or Convention). This interim rule establishes the Chemical Weapons Convention Regulations (CWCR) to implement provisions of the Convention affecting U.S. industry and other U.S. persons. The CWCR include requirements to report certain activities involving Scheduled chemicals and Unscheduled Discrete Organic Chemicals, and to provide access for on-site verification by international inspectors of certain facilities and locations in the United States.

DATES: Effective Date: December 30, 1999.

Comments: Written comments must be submitted no later than March 30, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the Regulatory Policy Division, Office of Exporter Services, Bureau of Export

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions of a general or regulatory nature, contact the Regulatory Policy Division, telephone: (202) 482-2440. For program information on declarations, reports, notifications, and chemical determinations, contact the Information Technology Team of the Treaty Compliance Division, Office of Chemical & Biological Controls and Treaty Compliance, telephone: (703) 235-1335; for program information on inspections and facility agreements, contact the Inspection Management Team of the Treaty Compliance Division, Office of Chemical & Biological Controls and Treaty Compliance, telephone: (202) 482-6114; for legal questions, contact Cecil Hunt, Acting Chief Counsel, Office of the Chief Counsel for Export Administration, telephone (202) 482-5301.