scope:

(a) This part sets forth the regulations, including the rules of practice and procedure, of the Foreign-Trade Zones Board with regard to foreigntrade zones (FTZs or zones) in the United States pursuant to the Foreign- Trade Zones Act of 1934, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a-81u). It includes the substantive and procedural rules for the authorization of zones and for the Board's regulation of zone activity. The purpose of zones as stated in the Act is to ''expedite and encourage foreign commerce, and other purposes.'' The regulations provide the legal framework for accomplishing this purpose in the context of evolving U.S. economic and trade policy, and economic factors relating to international competition.