Gildan Seeks to have Certain 3-Thread Fleece Removed from DR-CAFTA Short Supply List

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements ("CITA") is considering a Request to Remove certain three-thread circular knit fleece fabrics from Annex 3.25 ("Short Supply List") of the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement )"DR-CAFTA"). The request was filed by Sorini & Samet on behalf of Gildan USA Inc. Gildan claims they can produce the fabric at their subsidiary facility, A.K.H. S. de R.L. ("AKH") located in Honduras.

The fabrics in question are found at item #91 on the DR-CAFTA Short Supply List.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Certain Three-thread Circular Knit Fleece Fabrics
HTS Subheading: 6001.21.0000

Fabric #1:
Fiber Content: 72 to 78 percent cotton, 22 to 28 percent polyester
Yarn:
Face Yarn - Single ply, ring spun cotton. Metric yarn number: 41 to 48; English yarn number: 24 to 28
Tie Yarn - Polyester filament of 49 to 51 denier
Fleece yarn - Single ply staple of 57 to 63 percent cotton and 37 to 43 percent polyester. Metric yarn number: 24 to 30; English yarn number 14 to 18.
Gauge: 20 to 24
Knit Type: Three-thread circular knit
Weight: Metric - 285 to 300 grams per square meter; English - 8.42 to 9.75 ounces per square yard.
Width: Metric - 172 to 183 centimeters; English - 68 to 72 inches.
Finish: Napped on the technical back; bleached, yarn dyed, or piece dyed.
Performance Criteria: Not more than 5 percent vertical and horizontal shrinkage and not more than 4 percent vertical torque.

Fabric #2:
Fiber Content: 77 to 83 percent cotton, 17 to 23 percent polyester
Yarn:
Face Yarn - Single ply, ring spun cotton. Metric yarn number: 47 to 54; English yarn number: 28 to 32
Tie Yarn - Polyester filament of 49 to 51 denier
Fleece yarn - Single ply staple of 67 to 73 percent cotton and 27 to 33 percent polyester. Metric yarn number: 24 to 30; English yarn number 14 to 18.
Gauge: 20 to 24
Knit Type: Three-thread circular knit
Weight: Metric - 266 to 308 grams per square meter; English - 7.85 to 9.08 ounces per square yard.
Width: Metric - 146 to 183 centimeters; English - 58 to 72 inches.
Finish: Napped on the technical back; bleached, yarn dyed, or piece dyed.
Performance Criteria: Not more than 5 percent vertical and horizontal shrinkage and not more than 4 percent vertical torque.

The fabrics were added to the DR-CAFTA Short Supply List November 8, 2007. The request for the short supply designation was filed September 19, 2007, by Altston & Bird on behalf of Perry Manufacturing of Mount Airy, N.C. The textile manufacturers Elasticos Centro Americanos y Textile (ELCATEX), of Honduras, and Texpasa S.A., of Guatemala, each objected, stating that they could supply the fabrics, however both companies subsequently withdrew their objections.