FR 2021-03143

Overview

Title

Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 176-Rockford, Illinois, Authorization of Production Activity, Tricida Inc. (Pharmaceutical Products), Rockford, Illinois

Agencies

ELI5 AI

PCI Pharma Services in Rockford, Illinois, got the green light to make medicines in a special zone where companies can do business more easily, and folks could give their opinions on this plan, but no more checking was needed after the board said it was all okay.

Summary AI

PCI Pharma Services, operating within Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 176 in Rockford, Illinois, submitted a proposal on behalf of Tricida Inc. for production activities. The FTZ Board reviewed the notification under its regulations and invited public comments through the Federal Register. On February 11, 2021, the FTZ Board decided no further review was needed and authorized the proposed production activity. This decision adheres to the regulations of the FTZ Act and specific FTZ Board rules.

Type: Notice
Citation: 86 FR 9909
Document #: 2021-03143
Date:
Volume: 86
Pages: 9909-9909

AnalysisAI

The document from the Federal Register discusses a proposed production activity by PCI Pharma Services on behalf of Tricida Inc., within Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 176 located in Rockford, Illinois. This activity involves pharmaceutical products. The FTZ Board, part of the Commerce Department, reviewed the proposal and opened the matter for public commentary before authorizing it on February 11, 2021. This decision ensures compliance with both the FTZ Act and the Board's regulations.

General Summary

The document outlines the process undertaken by PCI Pharma Services and the FTZ Board to authorize a production activity within FTZ 176. This process includes submitting a proposal, inviting public comments, and officially authorizing the activity. The procedures follow specific regulations designed to manage and oversee the activity within the Foreign-Trade Zone, a designated area considered outside U.S. customs territory for some purposes, which can offer financial benefits such as duty deferrals.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several concerns arise from the document that may impact public understanding or interest:

  1. Lack of Detail: The document does not go into detail about what the "production activity" specifically entails regarding the pharmaceutical products. This leaves the reader unclear on the nature of the items being produced.

  2. Economic and Business Impact: There's no mention of potential impacts on local businesses or the economy. Stakeholders might be interested to know whether such activity will bring more jobs or potentially harm existing businesses.

  3. Cost Transparency: The document lacks information on costs associated with the production activity, particularly concerning public spending or economic incentives provided to the company.

  4. Environmental and Regulatory Impacts: It's not clear what environmental or regulatory constraints apply to the production activity, which could be significant for those concerned about sustainability and complying with local and national regulations.

  5. Technical Language: The use of terms like "FTZ Act" and "Section 400.14" without explanation might pose a challenge for individuals who are not versed in legal or regulatory language.

Impact on the Public

The authorization of this production activity might hold several implications for the general public. On one hand, the presence of pharmaceutical production could lead to economic growth in Rockford, Illinois, potentially increasing job opportunities and local investment. However, without more transparent information, it's difficult to gauge potential negative consequences, such as economic displacement or environmental concerns.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

  • Local Community: The community may see new job opportunities; however, without clarity on local impacts or public consultation outcomes, community concerns about noise, traffic, or pollution might arise.

  • Business Owners: Depending on the nature of the pharmaceutical products, there may be competitive impacts on local businesses, either positively through increased industry activity or negatively if they cannot compete.

  • Regulatory Bodies: Ensuring compliance with environmental and safety standards will be crucial, so regulatory bodies must clearly understand and monitor any potential risks associated with the activity.

In conclusion, while the document details an important procedural aspect of foreign-trade zone operations, its lack of specificity may lead to more questions than answers for the public and other interested stakeholders. Providing more detail could help address the concerns and improve stakeholder engagement.

Issues

  • • The document does not provide a detailed breakdown of the costs or spending involved in the production activity; it is unclear whether the activity involves any public spending.

  • • The document does not specify any potential impact on local businesses or the economy, which could be a concern for community stakeholders.

  • • The document could be clearer in detailing what the 'production activity' actually involves—what specific 'pharmaceutical products' are being produced.

  • • The document lacks details on potential environmental or regulatory impacts associated with the production activity.

  • • The document uses some technical references such as 'FTZ Act' and 'Section 400.14' without explaining them, which might be difficult for a layperson to understand.

Statistics

Size

Pages: 1
Words: 177
Sentences: 7
Entities: 25

Language

Nouns: 57
Verbs: 12
Adjectives: 3
Adverbs: 0
Numbers: 21

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.40
Average Sentence Length:
25.29
Token Entropy:
4.33
Readability (ARI):
15.19

Reading Time

less than a minute