Industry representatives serving on the Nonferrous Ores and Metals ISAC provide advice on a diverse range of trade policy matters, including international environmental policy affecting trade in metals. The Nonferrous Ores and Metals ISAC is the key consultative body providing advice to U.S. negotiators on market access negotiations in the WTO, Free Trade Area of the Americas, NAFTA, and the host of bilateral trade negotiations, including the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement. The Committee provides advice on non-tariff barriers to trade in metals, as well as on e-commerce and investment issues, and provides U.S. negotiators with advice on market conditions in the nonferrous sector. The Committee, through its members, continues to be instrumental in ensuring that commercial considerations are not abandoned in the negotiation of international environmental agreements. Additionally, the Committee makes recommendations concerning the impact of new country accessions to the WTO, including Russia, and, most recently, China.

Industry representatives serving on the ISAC on Nonferrous Ores and Metals have a voice in U.S. trade policy formulation through the Industry Consultations Program (ICP), which emerged from the 1974 Trade Act, to ensure that trade negotiators were coordinating with the private sector during trade negotiations. Based on the program's success, the ICP was renewed and expanded by the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 and the Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988. The Department of Commerce, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), and other agencies work side-by-side with business leaders who serve as advisors to the U.S. Government. The Department of Commerce and USTR have joint responsibility for operating the advisory committees of the ICP.

Eligibility for Membership on the Nonferrous Ores and Metals ISAC
Committee members are U.S. citizens representing U.S. manufacturing or service firms in the nonferrous ores and metals industry, trade internationally, and have a special interest in and knowledge of international trade issues. Representatives of industry associations may also participate. Additional information can be found on the Industry Consultations Program's website at www.ita.doc.gov/icp or by contacting: