NAFTA MEETINGS ON TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS SET

   U.S., Canadian and Mexican government officials plan to meet in
Baltimore, Oct. 25-28, to review their countries’ transportation standards.
   The Land Transportation Standards Subcommittee was established by
NAFTA’s Committee on Standards-Related Measures to study land
transportation rules among the three countries and to make standards more
compatible. Some areas to be addressed at the meeting are vehicle weights
and dimensions and hazardous materials transportation standards.
   The Transportation Consultative Group was formed by the countries’
transportation departments to address non-standards issues that affect
cross-border movements, such as rail safety, automated data exchange, and
maritime and ports policies.
   Industry officials, such as shippers, customs brokers, labor unions,
carriers, insurance and public safety advocates, are invited to attend
certain parts of the meeting.
   The U.S. Department of Transportation will hold a briefing in Washington
on Nov. 30 to discuss the outcome of the meetings.