Interstellar Commerce Bureau

The Interstellar Commerce Bureau is a large non-governmental organization focused on the regulation, restriction, and standardization of trade and commerce throughout the galaxy, and across borders.

The ICB is recognized by all major powers, including the United Nations, Three Suns Empire, and Socialist Progressive Peoples, as well as corporations including, but not limited to, Weston-Yamada, Halcyon, Novaris Industries, and AEGIS Armaments. Their independence allows for the ICB to work closely with various Law Enforcement groups and organizations such as the Colony Marshal Bureau to implement policy designed to curb smuggling, black market activity, and piracy, while promoting economic stability across known space.

History

Following the establishment of the major interstellar powers, the need for an independent organization free from political affiliation to regulate and standardize trade policies and guidelines was quickly recognized. After an incident in which several hundred unregistered firearms were transported from the UN to the TSE went unnoticed due to differences in trade policy, A group of wealthy private citizens and politicians established the ICB, with funding being received from various governmental and private groups and organizations. Unproven rumors suggest that the Weston-Yamada Corporation may have been one of the largest contributors in funding, leading to accusations of corporate favoritism and internal corruption within the ICB by politicians.

Following its establishment, the ICB would quickly form partnerships with various governmental law-enforcement agencies, and establish a presence across the galaxy.

Operations

The ICB holds a great deal of power within the world of trade and commerce. They establish and enforce practically all multilateral trade regulations, ensuring that the finances check out, and no illegal activities are present. ICB Liaisons are often tasked with checking manifests, cargo holds, and following money-trails wherever they may lead.

The ICB is further responsible for maintaining a list of items which are wholly illegal, with or without permit, to move, trade, or sell. These include narcotic substances, unregistered firearms, hazardous biological, chemical, or radioactive materials, and stolen goods. The ICB is also capable of declaring quarantine for colony territories, creating an enforced cordon of the airspace. One example of an ICB Standard is the Semiotic Standard, created in response to a rising need for a simple method of communication and signage, applicable to all regions of space irrespective of national origin. Consisting of a wide variety of pictograms, it allows for quick recognition of local areas or hazards, and has seen widespread use from Colonies to Spaceships.

Behind all this is a wide range of other standards and regulations which the ICB enforces with citation and fines. These range from safe-sizes and organization of standardized shipping containers, to workplace safety expectations and storage of chemicals.

In response to alerts or reports, the ICB may dispatch a liaison accompanied by CMB deputies to investigate black market operations aboard UNMC ships or within colonies.