Florida Company Applies for FTZ for Polyester and Cotton Fabrics for Adhesive Bandages

An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board ("FTZ Board") by ASO LLC ("ASO"), operator of Subzone 169A, for its facility located in Sarasota, Florida. The ASO facility (270 employees, 31 acres/150,000 square feet) is located within Subzone 169A, in Sarasota, Florida. The facility is used for the production of plastic and textile fabric adhesive bandages. ASO is also proposing to coat foreign uncoated textile fabric under FTZ procedures. Production under FTZ procedures could exempt ASO from customs duty payments on the foreign textile fabrics used in export production. The company anticipates that some four percent of the plant's shipments will be exported. On its domestic sales, ASO would be able to choose the duty rate during customs entry procedures that applies to textile fabric adhesive bandages (duty-free) for the foreign inputs noted below. Customs duties also could possibly be deferred or reduced on foreign status production equipment. The request indicates that the savings from FTZ procedures would help improve the plant's international competitiveness.

Uncoated textile fabrics sourced from abroad (representing some 22% of the value of the finished product) include the following: 100% polyester, 100% cotton dyed plain weave, and 62% cotton/38% polyester plain weave (duty rates range from 7 to 12%).

Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions shall be addressed to the Board's Executive Secretary at the address below. The closing period for their receipt is May 28, 2013. Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted during the foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-day period to June 10, 2013.

Certain Cotton Corduroy Fabric Added to U.S.-Colombia Short Supply List

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements ("CITA") has determined that certain cotton corduroy fabric, as specified below, is not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the territory of either the United Sates or Colombia. The product will be added to the list in Annex 3-B ("Short Supply List")of the US-Colombia TPA in unrestricted quantities.

Reference number: 3.2013.02.22.Fabric.AM&SforBellaBliss

Specifications: Certain Cotton Corduroy Fabric

HTS Subheading: 5801.22.1000, 5801.22.9000

Wales: 6-10 wales per centimeter (19-23 wales per inch)

Fiber content: greater than 95% cotton by weight

Weight: 133-147 grams per square meter

Warp, ends per centimeter: 28-33

Filling, picks per centimeter: 66-73

Yarn counts:
Warp yarn: English--38-42; Metric 65-70
Filling yarn: English--38-42; Metric 65-70

Width: 134-153 centimeters; 53-60 inches

Finish: Cut, Desized

Note: The yarn size designations describe a range of yarn specifications for yarn in its greige condition before dyeing and finishing of the yarn (if applicable) and before knitting, dyeing and finishing of the fabric. They are intended as specifications to be followed by the mill in sourcing yarn used to produce the fabric. However, because dyeing, finishing, and knitting can alter the characteristic of the yarn as it appears in the finished fabric, the specification therefore includes yarns appearing in the finished fabric as finer or coarser than the designated yarn sizes provided that the variation occurs after processing of the greige yarn and production of the fabric. In addition, while the fabric is intended to be piece-dyed, the specifications include both piece- and yarn-dyed to accommodate any Customs' findings that the finished fabric appears to be yarn-dyed as a result of dye absorption.

National Textile Association, Citing Failed Government Trade Policy, Closes Doors after 159 Years

America's oldest textile trade association, citing three decades of failed government trade policy and subsequent industry contraction, announces consolidation with a similar organization in order to more effectively represent the U.S. textile industry.

March 22, 2013, Boston -- On March 19th the Board of Government of the National Textile Association ("NTA"), based in Boston, voted to cease operations and turn the Association’s membership list and assets over to the National Council of Textile Organizations ("NCTO"), based in Gastonia, N.C., effectively merging the two groups, each of which represented a substantial part of the domestic U.S. textile industry. The merger will be effective April 1st.

Hank Truslow, Sr., of Sunbury Textile Mills, the only U.S. fabric-maker that was a member of both NTA and NCTO prior to the merger said, "It is a sad day when a 159-year-old organization, effectively serving its members, decides to close its doors. We attribute this historic denouement to failed and destructive government trade policies under the last five Presidents, Republican and Democratic."

The consolidation, which involves a third group, the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition ("AMTAC") is undertaken to form a stronger more effective voice in Washington. George Shuster, Chairman of Cranston Prints Works and Chairman of NTA, as well as Co-Chairman of AMTAC said: "The creation of this merged organization will allow the domestic textile industry to more quickly and effectively address the wide range of federal policy developments of importance to the over 1.5 million workers in the United States whose jobs are either directly or indirectly tied to this critical manufacturing sector."

The immediate and pressing concern of the new organization is the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership ("TPP") free trade agreement negotiations. The consolidation will improve the structural efficiency of the industry's representation in Washington by combining and maximizing the various strengths of the three separate associations; more efficiently utilizing the industry's financial resources by eliminating duplicative efforts; and allowing for a more systematic effort to recruit new members, specifically domestic textile companies that currently are not members of any textile trade association.

To the new organization the former members of NTA bring important breadth of product sectors and geography. NCTO's coverage of the wool textile industry, upholstery fabrics, and knitted textiles, will be substantially increased by the merger with NTA. NTA's American Flock Association brings to NCTO an entirely new textile sector. Overall the NTA membership, with wide representation in the Northeast, Midwest, and West Coast, will greatly enhance NCTO's geographic representation, which will be extremely helpful as the industry fights for a strong rule of origin and long tariff phase-out schedule in the TPP.

Karl Spilhaus, longtime President of NTA, said, "I am extremely proud of NTA’s membership; they are survivors of a turbulent economic climate, characterizing the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, that made our American industry great." Mr. Spilhaus will continue to direct the activities of the Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute, formerly a division of NTA, with an office at the government relations consulting firm of ADS Ventures in Boston.

The National Textile Association traces its history to 1854, the founding date of the Hampden County (Massachusetts) Cotton Spinners Association. It was reorganized in 1865 as the New England Cotton Manufacturers Association and became the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers in 1906. In 1954 the name was again changed to the Northern Textile Association. In 2012 the Northern Textile Association merged with the Knitted Textile Association to become the National Textile Association.

Contact Information
Karl Spilhaus – 617-542-7481
kspilhaus@cashmere.org

Certain Three-Thread Fleece Fabric With Soft Hand Pigment Added to DR-CAFTA Short Supply List

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements ("CITA") has determined that certain three-thread fleece fabric with soft hand pigment, as specified below, is not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the CAFTA-DR countries. The product will be added to the list in Annex 3.25 ("Short Supply List") of the CAFTA-DR Agreement in unrestricted quantities.

Reference number: 177.2013.02.21.Fabric.SoriniSametforGaranMfg.

Specifications: Certain Three-Thread Fleece Fabric With Soft Hand Pigment

HTS: 6001.21.

Overall fiber content: Cotton--57 to 63%; Polyester--37 to 43%.

Gauge: 21.

Face Yarn
Fiber content: 57-63% combed cotton; 37-43% polyester ring spun.
Yarn size: 47.4/1-57.6/1 (metric); 28/1--34/1 (English).

Tie Yarn
Fiber content: 100% polyester.
Yarn size: 157.9-191.5/48 filament (metric); 47-57 denier 48 filament (English).

Fleece Yarn
Fiber content: 72-78% carded cotton, 22-28% polyester.
Yarn Size: 18.6/1-28.8/1(metric); 11/1-17/1 (English).

Weight: 233.9-267.8 g/square meter (6.9-7.8 oz./square yard).

Width: 152.4 cm cuttable or greater, open width (60'' cuttable or greater, open width).

Finish: Bleached and rotary printed with soft hand pigment (process), or piece dyed and rotary printed with soft hand pigment (process) (see note).

Performance Criteria
1. Torque must not exceed 4% (must meet AATCC 179).
2. Vertical and horizontal shrinkage must be under 5%.
3. Must meet a class-1 flammability rating.

Note: The attributes listed for yarn size relate to the size of the yarn prior to knitting. The measurements for fabric construction and weight relate to the fabric prior to garment production. Some variations may occur in these measurements as a result of the manufacturing process.

Note (Finishing): A soft hand pigment is a known industry term. It refers a process which involves the use of special binding agents, typically acrylic polymers used to affix the pigments to fabrics. The bonding agents used in soft hand pigment printing process have lower glass transition temperatures. The glass-transition, or glass transition, is the reversible transition in amorphous materials (or in amorphous regions within semi-crystalline materials) from a hard and relatively brittle state into a molten or rubber-like state.

Certain Piece Dyed Three-Thread Fleece Added to DR-CAFTA Short Supply List

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements ("CITA") has determined that certain piece dyed three-thread fleece fabric, as specified below, is not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the CAFTA-DR countries. The product will be added to the list in Annex 3.25 ("Short Supply List") of the CAFTA-DR Agreement in unrestricted quantities.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria Dybczak, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-3651.

Reference number: 178.2013.02.21.Fabric.SoriniSametforGaranMfg.

SPECIFICATIONS: Certain Piece Dyed Three-thread Fleece Fabric

HTS: 6001.21

Overall fiber content: Cotton--57 to 63%; Polyester--37 to 43%.

Gauge: 21

Face Yarn:
Fiber content: 57-63% combed cotton; 37-43% polyester ring spun
Yarn size: 47.4/1-57.6/1 (metric); 28/1-34/1 (English)

Tie Yarn:
Fiber content: 100% polyester
Yarn size: 157.9-191.5/48 filament (metric); 47-57 denier 48 filament (English)

Fleece Yarn:
Fiber content: 72-78% carded cotton, 22-28% polyester
Yarn Size: 18.6/1-28.8/1(metric); 11/1-17/1 (English)

Weight: 233.9-267.8 g/square meter (6.9-7.8 oz./square yard)

Width: 152.4 cm cuttable or greater, open width (60'' cuttable or greater, open width)

Finish: Single fiber piece dyed with reactive dyestuff for cotton or disperse dye stuff for polyester.

Performance Criteria:
1. Torque must not exceed 4% (must meet AATCC 179)
2. Vertical and horizontal shrinkage must be under 5%
3. Must meet a class-1 flammability rating.

NOTE: The attributes listed for yarn size relate to the size of the yarn prior to knitting. The measurements for fabric construction and weight relate to the fabric prior to garment production. Some variations may occur in these measurements as a result of the manufacturing processes.

March 28th Meeting on Califormia's Proposed New Flammability Standards for Upholstered Furniture

On Tuesday, March 26th, Robert Howell, Deputy Executive Director, Safety Operations, Consumer Product Safety Commission; and Rohit Khanna, Fire Program Area Team Leader, Consumer Product Safety Commission, will be attending a public hearing on California's Proposed New Flammability Standards for Upholstered Furniture/Articles Exempt from Flammability Standards to provide staff comment on Californias regulatory proposal that would establish new performance and labeling requirements under Californias new flammability standard Technical Bulletin 117-2013; 10:00 a.m., in the California Department of Consumer Affair 1st Floor Hearing Room, 1625 North Market Blvd., Sacramento, California. For additional information contact Robert Howell, (301) 504-7621 or Rohit Khanna, (301) 987-2508.

Upholstered Furniture Fire Safety Technology; Meeting and Request for Comments

Upholstered Furniture Fire Safety Technology; Meeting and Request for Comments

The Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC", "Commission") has announced its intent to hold a meeting on upholstered furniture fire safety technologies. The meeting will be held at the CPSC's laboratory in Rockville, Maryland, on April 25, 2013. CPSC invites interested parties to participate in or attend the meeting. They also invite interested parties to submit comments related to the meeting or the possible change in regulatory approach.

The meeting will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on April 25, 2013. Individuals interested in serving on panels or presenting information at the meeting should register by March 25, 2013; all other individuals who wish to attend the meeting should register by April 18, 2013. Written comments must be received by July 1, 2013.

The meeting will be held at the CPSC's National Product Testing and Evaluation Center, 5 Research Place, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Persons interested in serving on a panel, presenting information, or attending the meeting should register online at http://www.cpsc.gov/meetingsignup.html and click on the link titled, "Upholstered Furniture Fire Safety Technology Meeting."

You may submit written comments, identified by Docket No. CPSC-2008-0005, by any of the following methods:

Submit electronic comments in the following way:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. The Commission does not accept comments submitted by electronic mail (email), except through www.regulations.gov.

Submit written submissions in the following way:

Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions), preferably in five copies, to: Office of the Secretary,Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 820, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814; telephone (301) 504-7923.

Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number for this notice. All comments received may be posted without change, including any personal identifiers, contact information, or other personal information provided, to http://www.regulations.gov. Do not submit confidential business information, trade secret information, or other sensitive or protected information electronically. Such information should be submitted in writing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rohit Khanna, Office of HazardIdentification and Reduction, 5 Research Place, Rockville, Maryland 20850, telephone 301-987-2508, email furnituretechmeeting@cpsc.gov.

Topics to be addressed at the meeting:

1. Fire Barriers

Types of products available
Materials and technologies used in fire barriers
Capabilities and limitations of fire barriers
Mattress fire barriers
Cost considerations

2. Commercial Furniture Fire Safety Technologies

Fire reduction strategies
Applicability to residential furniture

3. Application of Other Fire Safety Technologies to Residential Furniture

Fire technologies used in marine and aviation furniture
Fire technologies used in other countries
Cost considerations

CPSC is seeking comments in particular regarding the following questions:

1. Can fire barriers used by the mattress industry be used in upholstered furniture applications?

2. What modifications to mattress fire barriers, if any, are necessary to make them effective in upholstered furniture?

3. What technologies (Fire retardant (FR) chemicals, specialty fibers/fabrics without FR chemicals, inherently fire resistant materials, etc.) do fire barrier manufacturers use to achieve improved fire performance?

4. Do fire barrier manufacturers use FR chemicals to achieve improved fire performance? If so, are the FR chemicals covalently bonded to the barrier? What is the risk of human exposure from the specific FR chemicals used? What exposure testing and data exists for the specific FR chemicals used? Is the product that uses an FR chemical based fire barrier labeled to indicate use of such FR chemicals within it?

5. What, if any, FR chemicals are used in mattress or other fire barrier technologies?

6. What are the cost considerations for using fire barriers? How does furniture manufacturing and assembling change with a fire barrier?

7. Given the variety of ignition sources involved in furniture fires, which ignition sources resulting in fatalities would fire barriers be effective in addressing the fatalities?

8. What fire safety technologies from commercial furniture can be applied to residential furniture?

9. What fire safety technologies from other industries (e.g., marine, aviation) can be applied to residential furniture?

10. For fire barrier materials that do not use FR chemical treatments, what materials are used and what human exposure data exist for those materials?

Certain Laminated Composite Fabric Added to DR-CAFTA Short Supply List

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements ("CITA") has determined that certain laminated composite fabric, as specified below, is not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement ("CAFTA-DR") countries. The product will be added to the list in Annex 3.25 ("Short Supply") of the CAFTA-DR Agreement in unrestricted quantities.

Background

The CAFTA-DR Agreement provides a list in Annex 3.25 for fabrics, yarns, and fibers that the Parties to the CAFTA-DR Agreement have determined are not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the territory of any Party. The CAFTA-DR Agreement provides that this list may be modified pursuant to Article 3.25(4)-(5), when the President of the United States determines that a fabric, yarn, or fiber is not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the territory of any Party. See Annex 3.25 of the CAFTA-DR Agreement; see also section 203(o)(4)(C) of the CAFTA-DR Implementation Act.

The CAFTA-DR Implementation Act requires the President to establish procedures governing the submission of a request and providing opportunity for interested entities to submit comments and supporting evidence before a commercial availability determination is made. In Presidential Proclamations 7987 and 7996, the President delegated to CITA the authority under section 203(o)(4) of CAFTA-DR Implementation Act for modifying the Annex 3.25 list. Pursuant to this authority, on September 15, 2008, CITA published modified procedures it would follow in considering requests to modify the Annex 3.25 list of products determined to be not commercially available in the territory of any Party to CAFTA-DR (Modifications to Procedures for Considering Requests Under the Commercial Availability Provision of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement, 73 FR 53200) ("CITA's procedures").

On February 6, 2013, the Chairman of CITA received a request for a Commercial Availability determination ("Request") from Sorini Samet & Associates on behalf of Patagonia, Inc. for certain laminated composite fabric, as specified below. On February 7, 2013, in accordance with CITA's procedures, CITA notified interested parties of the Request, which was posted on the dedicated Web site for CAFTA-DR Commercial Availability proceedings. In its notification, CITA advised that any Response with an Offer to Supply ("Response") must be submitted by February 21, 2013, and any Rebuttal Comments to a Response must be submitted by February 27, 2013, in accordance with sections 6 and 7 of CITA's procedures. No interested entity submitted a Response to the Request advising CITA of its objection to the Request and its ability to supply the subject product.

In accordance with section 203(o)(4)(C) of the CAFTA-DR Implementation Act, and section 8(c)(2) of CITA's procedures, as no interested entity submitted a Response objecting to the Request and providing an offer to supply the subject product, CITA has determined to add the specified fabric to the list in Annex 3.25 of the CAFTA-DR Agreement.

The subject product has been added to the list in Annex 3.25 of the CAFTA-DR Agreement in unrestricted quantities. A revised list has been posted on the dedicated Web site for CAFTA-DR Commercial Availability proceedings.

SPECIFICATIONS: Laminated Composite Fabric

HTS: 6001.22.0000; 6001.92.0000

Overall Fabric Description: Laminated polyester woven/micro velour grid one-way stretch with polyurethane laminate.

Overall Fabric Construction: Woven face/polyurethane laminate/circular knit velour with grid pattern.

Overall Fiber Content: 90-96% polyester/4-10% spandex (includes both face and backer fabric).

Overall weight: 287-351 grams per square meter.

Overall width: Selvedge: 150.4-154.4 cm; Minimum cuttable: 145.3-149.3 cm.

Finishing: Bonded laminate with durable water repellency on the face fabric, and optional on back.

Performance criteria for overall fabric:
Air permeability (ASTM D737): maximum 1.5
Durable water repellency (AATCC 22): greater than or equal to 80 before wash.

Face Fabric Details:

Construction: plain weave

Fiber content: 81-87% polyester/13-19% spandex

Warp fiber content/denier: 73-77 denier polyester; 39-41 denier spandex

Filling fiber content/denier: 73-77 denier polyester; 39-41 denier spandex

Characteristics of yarns: core spun spandex (filament)

Thread count: 49-52 picks per cm x 43-45 picks per cm

Weight: 121.5-148.5 grams per square meter

Width: Selvedge: 150.4-154.4 cm; Minimum cuttable: 145.3-149.3 cm

Coloration: piece dyed

Finishing: bonded laminate with durable water repellency

Other special characteristics: 2-way stretch

Backer Fabric Details:

Construction: circular knit with a dropped stitch for the grid-brushed looped pile

Fiber content: 100% polyester

Warp fiber content/denier: 145-155 denier polyester

Filling fiber content/denier: 73-77 denier polyester

Characteristics of yarns: filament

Knitting gauge: 27-29

Weight: 140.4-171.6 grams per square meter

Width: Selvedge: 150.4-154.4 cm; Minimum cuttable: 145.3-149.3 cm

Coloration: piece dyed

Finishing: Optional bonded laminate with durable water repellency

Performance criteria:
Pilling (ASTM D3512): minimum 3

Other special characteristics: grid pattern

Laminate Description and performance: Bonded laminate with durable water repellency (air permeability maximum 1.5 per ASTM D737)

NOTE (ranges): Ranges in these specifications reflect a tolerance from the target figures of up to three percent for fiber content, yarn size, and thread count; up to ten percent for weight; and up to five centimeters (two inches) for width.

NOTE (processing variations): The yarn size designations describe a range of yarn specifications for yarn before knitting, dyeing and finishing of the fabric. They are intended as specifications to be followed by the mill in sourcing yarn used to produce the fabric.

Dyeing, finishing, and knitting can alter the characteristic of the yarn as it appears in the finished fabric. These specifications therefore include yarns appearing in the finished fabric as finer or coarser than the designated yarn sizes provided that the variation occurs after processing of the greige yarn and production of the fabric. The specifications for the fabric apply to the fabric itself prior to cutting and sewing of the finished garment. Such processing may alter the measurements.

Certain Laminated Composite Fabric Added to U.S.-Colombia Short Supply List

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements ("CITA") has determined that certain laminated composite fabric, as specified below, is not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the territory of either the United Sates or Colombia. The product will be added to the list in Annex 3-B ("Short Supply List") of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement ("U.S.-Colombia TPA") in unrestricted quantities.

Background

The U.S.-Colombia TPA provides a list in Annex 3-B for fabrics, yarns, and fibers that the Parties to the U.S.-Colombia TPA have determined are not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the territory of any Party. The U.S.-Colombia TPA and the U.S.-Colombia TPA Implementation Act provides that this list may be modified when the President of the United States determines that a fabric, yarn, or fiber is not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the territory of any Party. See Annex 3-B of the U.S.-Colombia TPA; see also section 203(o)(4) of the U.S.-Colombia TPA Implementation Act.

The U.S.-Colombia TPA Implementation Act requires the President to establish procedures governing the submission of a request and providing opportunity for interested entities to submit comments and supporting evidence before a commercial availability determination is made. In Presidential Proclamation 8818, the President delegated to CITA the authority under section 203(o)(4) of the U.S.-Colombia TPA Implementation Act for modifying the Annex 3-B list. Pursuant to this authority, on November 6, 2012, CITA published interim procedures it would follow in considering requests to modify the Annex 3-B list of products determined to be not commercially available in the territory of either the United States or Colombia (Interim Procedures for Considering Requests Under the Commercial Availability Provision of the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, 77 FR 66588) ("CITA's procedures").

On February 11, 2013, the Chairman of CITA received a request for a Commercial Availability determination ("Request") from Sorini Samet & Associates LLC on behalf of Patagonia, Inc. for certain laminated composite fabric, as specified below. On February 12, 2013, in accordance with CITA's procedures, CITA notified interested parties of the Request, which was posted on the dedicated Web site for Commercial Availability proceedings. In its notification, CITA advised that any Response with an Offer to Supply ("Response") must be submitted by February 25, 2013, and any Rebuttal Comments to a Response must be submitted by March 1, 2013, in accordance with sections 6 and 7 of CITA's procedures. No interested entity submitted a Response to the Request advising CITA of its objection to the Request and its ability to supply the subject product.

In accordance with section 203(o)(4) of the U.S.-Colombia TPA Implementation Act, and section 8(c)(2) of CITA's procedures, as no interested entity submitted a Response objecting to the Request and providing an offer to supply the subject product, CITA has determined to add the specified fabric to the list in Annex 3-B of the U.S.-Colombia TPA.

The subject product has been added to the list in Annex 3-B of the U.S.-Colombia TPA in unrestricted quantities. A revised list has been posted on the dedicated Web site for U.S.-Colombia TPA Commercial Availability proceedings.

SPECIFICATIONS: Laminated Composite Fabric

HTS: 6001.22.0000; 6001.92.0000

Overall Fabric Description: Laminated polyester woven/micro velour grid one-way stretch with polyurethane laminate.

Overall Fabric Construction: Woven face/polyurethane laminate/circular knit velour with grid pattern.

Overall Fiber Content: 90-96% polyester/4-10% spandex (includes both face and backer fabric).

Overall weight: 287-351 grams per square meter.

Overall width: Selvedge: 150.4-154.4 cm; Minimum cuttable: 145.3-149.3 cm.

Finishing: Bonded laminate with durable water repellency on the face fabric, and optional on back.

Performance criteria for overall fabric:
Air permeability (ASTM D737): maximum 1.5
Durable water repellency (AATCC 22): greater than or equal to 80 before wash.

Face Fabric Details:
Construction: plain weave
Fiber content: 81-87% polyester/13-19% spandex
Warp fiber content/denier: 73-77 denier polyester; 39-41 denier spandex
Filling fiber content/denier: 73-77 denier polyester; 39-41 denier spandex

Characteristics of yarns: core spun spandex (filament)

Thread count: 49-52 picks per cm x 43-45 picks per cm

Weight: 121.5-148.5 grams per square meter

Width: Selvedge: 150.4-154.4 cm; Minimum cuttable: 145.3-149.3 cm

Coloration: piece dyed

Finishing: bonded laminate with durable water repellency

Other special characteristics: 2-way stretch

Backer Fabric Details:

Construction: circular knit with a dropped stitch for the grid-brushed looped pile

Fiber content: 100% polyester

Warp fiber content/denier: 145-155 denier polyester

Filling fiber content/denier: 73-77 denier polyester

Characteristics of yarns: filament

Knitting gauge: 27-29

Weight: 140.4-171.6 grams per square meter

Width: Selvedge: 150.4-154.4 cm; Minimum cuttable: 145.3-149.3 cm

Coloration: piece dyed

Finishing: Optional bonded laminate with durable water repellency

Performance criteria:
Pilling (ASTM D3512): minimum 3

Other special characteristics: grid pattern

Laminate Description and performance: Bonded laminate with durable water repellency (air permeability maximum 1.5 per ASTM D737)

NOTE (ranges): Ranges in these specifications reflect a tolerance from the target figures of up to three percent for fiber content, yarn size, and thread count; up to ten percent for weight; and up to five centimeters (two inches) for width.

NOTE (processing variations): The yarn size designations describe a range of yarn specifications for yarn before knitting, dyeing and finishing of the fabric. They are intended as specifications to be followed by the mill in sourcing yarn used to produce the fabric.

Dyeing, finishing, and knitting can alter the characteristic of the yarn as it appears in the finished fabric. These specifications therefore include yarns appearing in the finished fabric as finer or coarser than the designated yarn sizes provided that the variation occurs after processing of the greige yarn and production of the fabric. The specifications for the fabric apply to the fabric itself prior to cutting and sewing of the finished garment. Such processing may alter the measurements.

Stuart Weitzman Girls' Cha Cha Boots Recalled by Synclaire Brands Due to Fall Hazard

Stuart Weitzman Girls' Cha Cha Boots Recalled by Synclaire Brands Due to Fall Hazard

Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Recall date: March 14, 2013

Recall number: 13-141

Name of product: Cha Cha and Cha Cha 2 girls' boots

Hazard: The zipper pulls on the boots can become entangled posing a fall hazard.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled boots away from children and return the boots for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: Synclaire Brands U.S.A. at (888) 998-0702 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go to the firm's website at www.synclaire.com and click on recall information.

Units: About 5,000

Photos are available at: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Stuart-Weitzman-Girls-Cha-Cha-Boots/

Description: The Stuart Weitzman brand Cha Cha and Cha Cha 2 boots come in black or white vinyl with quilted nylon shafts and were sold in girls' size 13 through size 5. The boots have zippers with gold-tone SW logo zipper pulls on the inside side of the boots. The model name and size is printed on a white tag inside the top of the boots.

Incidents/Injuries: Synclaire Brands has received 3 reports of the zipper pulls becoming entangled to each other, including one injury that occurred when a child wearing the boots attempted to untangle the zipper pulls. The child lost her balance and hit her head on the sidewalk, causing a laceration to her forehead that required stitches.

Sold at: Bloomingdale's, Belk Stores, TJ Maxx nationwide and online at Zappos from September 2011 through February 2013 for about $65.

Importer: Synclaire Brands U.S.A., Inc., of Hicksville, N.Y.

Manufactured in: China

BrightLight Blankets Recalled by IdeaVillage Due to Burn Hazard

BrightLight Blankets Recalled by IdeaVillage Due to Burn Hazard

Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Recall date: March 14, 2013

Recall number: 13-730

Name of product: Battery-powered BrightLight(tm) blankets

Hazard: The batteries in the blanket can overheat, posing a burn hazard.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled blankets and contact IdeaVillage for a free replacement blanket. IdeaVillage is contacting its customers directly.

Consumer Contact: IdeaVillage, toll-free at (866) 655-4342, from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday and Tuesday, 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PT Wednesday, 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. PT Thursday and Friday or www.brightlightblanketrecall.com for more information.

Units: About 5,200

Photos are available at: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/BrightLight-Blankets-Recalled-by-IdeaVillage/

Description: The recalled BrightLight blankets are 40-inch by 60-inch white, polyester blankets with LED lights that change color. The blanket has a battery compartment in a zippered pouch on the edge of the blanket.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received four reports of batteries overheating, including one report of a minor burn to a finger.

Sold exclusively at: Online at www.brightlightpillow.com and by phone from July 2012 through August 2012 for about $40.

Importer: IdeaVillage Products Corp. of Wayne, N.J

Manufacturer: Wellbrain International, of China

Manufactured in: China

UNIQLO Recalls Children's Pajamas Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards

UNIQLO Recalls Children's Pajamas Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards

Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Recall date: March 14, 2013

Recall number: 13-140

Name of product: Children's Pajamas

Hazard: The pajamas fail to meet federal flammability standards for children's sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled pajamas away from children and return them to any UNIQLO store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: UNIQLO; toll-free at (877) 486-4756, from 10 a.m. to midnight ET Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET Sunday, or at www.uniqlo.com, then click on ABOUT UNIQLO at the bottom left side of the page and then on UNIQLO NEWS for more information.

Units: About 700

Photos are available at: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Uniqlo-Recalls-Childrens-Pajamas/.

Description: The recalled products are one-piece micro fleece garment made of 100 percent polyester knit fabric. They were sold in infant sizes 9M to 12M. The pajamas are footed and have a front zipper and long sleeves. The brand name "UNIQLO BABY" appears on the neck label. There are a variety of colors and designs, including red and black plaid print; navy, green and yellow plaid print; off-white with pink, yellow and gray dots print; pink with off-white, dark pink and gray dots print; brown and pink with white snowflakes print; navy with white snowflakes print; gray with deer; beige with deer. The serial numbers of the recalled product, located at the bottom of the neck label, include: 187-074142(24-04), 187-074143(24-04), 187-074144(24-04) and 187-074145(24-04).

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Sold at: UNIQLO New York stores, except the SoHo store; UNIQLO Garden State Plaza store in Paramus, N.J.; and online at www.uniqlo.com from September 2012 through November 2012 for about $15.

Importer: Fast Retailing USA, Inc., of New York, N.Y. and UNIQLO USA LLC, of New York, N.Y.

Manufactured in: China

Negotiators Conclude 16th Round of TPP Talks in Singapore

Singapore – At the close of the 16th Round of Trans-Pacific Partnership ("TPP") negotiations today, chief negotiators reported that they had achieved the goal set for the round: "to put the negotiations on an accelerated track toward conclusion of a next-generation, comprehensive agreement in the 2013 time frame envisioned by President Obama and the Leaders of the ten other TPP countries."

U.S. Chief Negotiator and Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Barbara Weisel reports that building on the consensus the TPP countries have already achieved on a significant number of the issues under negotiation, during this round the 11 delegations intensified their drive to find mutually-acceptable paths forward on the remaining issues in the legal texts of the agreement. As a result of active intersessional engagement, and the pragmatism and flexibility shown by all countries during this round, the delegations succeeded in finding solutions to many issues in a wide range of areas such as customs, telecommunications, investment, services, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, intellectual property, regulatory coherence, development, and other issues. With this progress, some negotiating groups, including customs, telecommunications, regulatory coherence, and development will not meet again to discuss the legal texts in future rounds and any remaining work in these areas will be taken up in late-stage rounds as the agreement is finalized. This will allow the TPP countries to concentrate their efforts on resolving the most challenging issues that remain, including related to intellectual property, competition, and environment.

The 11 countries (Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, and the United States) also made progress during this round in continuing to develop the comprehensive packages that will provide market access for goods, services and investment, and government procurement. Productive exchanges occurred on tariff packages on industrial goods, agriculture, and textiles, as well as on rules of origin and how best to promote the development of regional supply chains in order to benefit companies based in the United States and the other TPP countries. In addition, negotiators discussed each country’s proposals to open services and investment and government procurement markets. The 11 countries agreed on additional intersessional work to build on market access advances made since the last round, to continue movement toward outcomes consistent with the high level of ambition that Leaders agreed to seek.

On March 6, the TPP negotiations adjourned temporarily so that negotiators could engage with the more than 300 stakeholders from TPP countries who registered to join the stakeholder events in Singapore. In response to stakeholder requests, Singapore arranged both for direct stakeholder engagement with negotiators and for 60 stakeholders to make presentations on a wide variety of issues. Also that day, Weisel and fellow Chief Negotiators briefed stakeholders and took questions on the substance and process of the TPP talks.

In mid-April, TPP Trade Ministers will meet on the margins of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation ("APEC" consisting of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United States and Vietnam) Trade Ministers meeting in Surabaya, Indonesia to discuss progress to date and provide further guidance to negotiators. As the negotiations draw to a close, high-level officials will be more actively engaged with one another on ways to address the remaining sensitive issues.

The 17th round of TPP negotiations will be held in Lima, Peru, from May 15-24.

March 28th Deadline in House for Duty Suspension Bills in 113th Congress

The House Committee on Ways and Means has announced that in order for Members who introduced bill(s) in the 112th Congress to have their provisions included in the current 113th Congress Miscellaneous Tariff Bill ("MTB") process, Members must submit 113th Congress Disclosure Forms to refresh their disclosure information. Members will not be required to reintroduce their bills, and no new bills will be accepted at this time. Bills whose sponsors have not returned in the 113th Congress must be adopted by another Member who completes a 113th Congress Disclosure Form for that adopted bill(s).

Sponsoring, cosponsoring, as well as adopting Members are required to submit by Thursday, March 28, 2013, at 12 noon, one 113th Congress MTB Disclosure Form for each bill they have sponsored/cosponsored/adopted for the bill to be considered in the 113th Congress MTB process. Please be advised that no bill will be considered in the 113th Congress MTB process unless this deadline is met

The 113th Congress MTB Disclosure Form is available here.

BACKGROUND

Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (Rep., Mich.), Ranking Member Sander Levin (Dem., Mich.), Trade Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady (Rep., Texas), and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim McDermott (Dem., Wash.) announced the commencement of the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill ("MTB") process on March 30, 2012, requiring Members to introduce bills by April 30, 2012. Due to the overwhelming Member interest in participating in the process, the Committee subsequently informed Members that they would meet the April 30 deadline if their draft bills were submitted to Legislative Counsel by 3:00 p.m. on April 30 and then introduced and submitted to the Ways and Means Committee online MTB submission process no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 16, 2012.

To ensure the highest degree of transparency, the Committee announced on May 24 that it would accept public comments on the submitted bills through June 22, 2012.

Other important parts of the MTB process have also progressed in 2012. The independent International Trade Commission ("ITC") completed its review of the submitted bills, provided reports to the Committee, and posted the reports on its own website. The reports are now also available on the Committee’s website. The Department of Commerce, which spearheads the review of the submitted bills by the Administration, completed its review of the submitted bills and provided comments to the Committee. The comments are now also available on the Committee’s website.

Click here for the table of submitted bills, public comments, ITC Congressional Bill Reports, and Administration comments received by the Committee.

On January 1, 2013, Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (Rep., Mich.), Ranking Member Sander Levin (Dem., Mich.), Trade Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady (Rep., Texas), and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim McDermott (Dem., Wash.) announced the introduction of the “U.S. Job Creation and Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2013” (H.R. 6727). The package included provisions from more than 2,000 bills introduced in the House and Senate during the transparent MTB process. The bill was introduced to set the stage for moving the MTB forward in the 113th Congress.

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk Announces New Opportunities for Egypt – Israel Qualifying Industrial Zone Program

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced Sunday that he has decided to liberalize the designation of the existing Qualifying Industrial Zones ("QIZs") in Egypt to make all production facilities, present and future, located in these zones potentially eligible to export goods duty-free to the United States. Liberalizing the current designation in this manner will increase opportunities for trade, investment and production – and therefore jobs – in the existing six QIZs, which include the Greater Cairo, the Alexandria, the Suez Canal, the Central Delta, the Beni Suief and the Al Minya zones. The modification will be effective when published in the Federal Register.

In 1996, Congress authorized the President to designate areas, known as Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZs), from which Egypt or Jordan can export products to the United States duty-free, as long as these products contain inputs from Israel. The President delegated the authority to designate QIZs to the U.S. Trade Representative.

In order for a QIZ article to gain duty-free entry, QIZ factories must add at least 35 percent to the value of the article. This 35 percent minimum content figure can include value added in Israel, Egypt, or the United States. QIZs must encompass portions of Egypt and Israel, though the areas do not have to be contiguous.

Apparel Manufacturer Seeks Woven Fabric of Lyocell for DR-CAFTA Shirt-making Operation

An apparel manufacturer is seeking a supplier of three separate fabrics with construction specifications as outlined below. The fabrics will be manufactured into shirts in Central America, and therefore the fabric must comply with the rules of origin of the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement ("DR-CAFTA"). If you are interested in supplying these fabrics please contact David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com and he will connect you with the company seeking the fabrics.

Fabric # 1

Fabric Type: Woven fabric of standard lyocell staple fiber.

Fiber Content: 100% standard lyocell staple fiber.

Yarn Size: Metric 29.6/ 1 to 93.1/ 1 (English 17.5/ 1 to 55/ 1).

Thread Count (Warp): 19.7 to 78.7 warp ends per centimeter (50 to 200 ends per inch).

Thread Count (Weft): 11.8 to 59 filling picks per centimeter (30 to 150 picks per inch).

Weave Type: Plain or twill or dobby or jacquard or oxford or satin.

Fabric Weight: 101.7 to 200 grams per square meter (3 to 5.9 ounces per square yard).

Fabric Width: 139.7 to 154.9 centimeters (55 to 61 inches), cuttable.

Coloration: Yarns of different colors or piece dyed or printed.

Finishing Processes: Enzyme washed and/or AIRO finish and/or sandwash and/or wicking finish.

Quantity: 25,600 to 28,300 meters (28,500 to 31,500 yards) per month beginning April 2013.

Fabric # 2

Fabric Type: Woven fabric of standard lyocell staple fiber and man-made staple fibers and/or linen.

Fiber Content: 55% to 85% standard lyocell staple fiber; and 15% to 45% synthetic staple fiber and/or other artificial staple fiber and/or linen.

Yarn Size: Metric 29.6/ 1 to 93.1/ 1 (English 17.5/ 1 to 55/ 1).

Thread Count (Warp): 19.7 to 78.7 warp ends per centimeter (50 to 200 ends per inch).

Thread Count (Weft): 11.8 to 59 filling picks per centimeter (30 to 150 picks per inch).

Weave Type: Plain or twill or dobby or jacquard or oxford or satin.

Fabric Weight: 101.7 to 200 grams per square meter (3 to 5.9 ounces per square yard).

Fabric Width: 139.7 to 154.9 centimeters (55 to 61 inches), cuttable.

Coloration: Yarns of different colors or piece dyed or printed.

Finishing Processes: Enzyme washed and/or AIRO finish and/or sandwash and/or wicking finish.

Quantity: 25,600 to 28,300 meters (28,500 to 31,500 yards) per month beginning April 2013.

Fabric # 3

Fabric Type: Woven fabric of standard lyocell staple fiber and man-made filament and/or linen.

Fiber Content: 55% to 85% standard lyocell staple fiber; and 15% to 45% man-made filament and/or linen.

Yarn Size: Metric 29.6/ 1 to 93.1/ 1 (English 17.5/ 1 to 55/ 1).

Thread Count (Warp): 19.7 to 78.7 warp ends per centimeter (50 to 200 ends per inch).

Thread Count (Weft): 11.8 to 59 filling picks per centimeter (30 to 150 picks per inch).

Weave Type: Plain or twill or dobby or jacquard or oxford or satin.

Fabric Weight: 101.7 to 200 grams per square meter (3 to 5.9 ounces per square yard).

Fabric Width: 139.7 to 154.9 centimeters (55 to 61 inches), cuttable.

Coloration: Yarns of different colors or piece dyed or printed.

Finishing Processes: Enzyme washed and/or AIRO finish and/or sandwash and/or wicking finish.

Quantity: 25,600 to 28,300 meters (28,500 to 31,500 yards) per month beginning April 2013.