Removing Outdated Language From Regulatory Definitions of “United States”

What it does

By this rule, the Department of Commerce (Department) amends the definition of the term "United States" set forth in two of its regulations. Specifically, this rule removes references to "the Canal Zone," which is no longer part of the United States, and makes other minor edits to ensure that the two definitions are identical. This action is necessary to ensure that the Department's regulations are accurate, up-to-date, and consistent. The intended effect is to eliminate outdated language, reduce inconsistencies across the Department's regulations, and minimize the possibility of confusion.

The Commerce Department's summary, as published in the Federal Register.

What changed in the regulation

2 parts of Title 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations:

15 CFR 8, 15 CFR 20

Wording on eCFR: the day before it took effect and from the day it took effect (first part listed).

Compared with

The Commerce Department has published 19 final rules in 2026 so far, compared with 2 in all of 2025.

Counted by the Tribune from Federal Register records since Jan. 1, 2025.

Before this

No earlier Federal Register document under regulation identifier 0605-AA76 since Jan. 1, 2025.

What happens next and when

Effective April 16, 2026.

The agency's dates, word for word.

Check it yourself

• The document in the Federal Register
• Title 15 on eCFR

The record as published

Source: the Federal Register (public domain). The document in the Federal Register