Copyright 2015, Agathon Associates, Consultants in Textiles and Trade, Blog by David Trumbull
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
FTC Considering Changes to Textile Labeling Rules
Polypropylene Fiber FTZ Sought by Georgia Geotextile Producer
The SKAP facilities are located at 325, 330, and 335 Athena Drive in Athens (Clarke County), Georgia. The facilities are used for the production of non-woven geotextile fabric using polypropylene fiber. FTZ activity would be limited to the specific foreign-status materials and components and specific finished products described in the submitted notification (as described below) and subsequently authorized by the FTZ Board.
Production under FTZ procedures could exempt SKAPS from customs duty payments on the foreign status polypropylene fiber used in export production. On its domestic sales, SKAPS would be able to choose the duty rate during customs entry procedures that applies to geotextile fabric (free) for the foreign status polypropylene fiber (4.3%). Customs duties also could possibly be deferred or reduced on foreign status production equipment.
Public comment is invited from interested parties. The closing period for their receipt is June 10, 2013.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
CRS Reports US Ports Vulnerable to Terror Attacks and Illegal Shipments
According to the report, "How effectively CBP has performed its import policy mission is a matter of some debate. Some participants in CBP’s 'trusted trader' programs argue that the concessions CBP provides at the border do not adequately justify the effort and expense participants undergo to certify their supply chains with CBP. Questions have also been raised about CBP’s management of trade facilitation. Some critics also assert that CBP has not adequately fulfilled its trade enforcement role, especially its duties for preventing illegal transshipments, protecting U.S. intellectual property rights, and collecting duties. Still others criticize CBP’s performance of its security functions, especially because it does not yet physically scan 100% of maritime cargo as mandated by the SAFE Port Act of 2006, as amended." The full report is available by clicking here.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Children's Apparel Network Recalls Girl's Clothing Sets; Waist Belt Poses Risk of Entrapment
Name of Product: Girl's Three-Piece Clothing Sets
Hazard: The vest sold with these sets has a belt at the waist that could become snagged or caught in small spaces or vehicle doors and it poses an entanglement hazard. In February 1996, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC") issued guidelines about drawstrings in children's upper outerwear. In 1997, those guidelines were incorporated into a voluntary standard. Then, in July 2011, based on the guidelines and voluntary standard, CPSC issued a federal regulation. CPSC's actions demonstrate a commitment to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on neck and waist drawstrings in upper outerwear, such as jackets and sweatshirts.
Remedy: Repair, Refund
Consumer Contact: Children's Apparel Network at (800) 919-1917 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.childrensapparelnetwork.com and click on "PRESS."
To see photos of the recalled product, go to http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Childrens-Apparel-Network-Recalls-Girls-Clothing-Sets-Waist-Belt-Poses-Risk-of-Entrapment/
Units: About 9,200
Description: This recall involves girl's "Young Hearts" brand three-piece clothing sets. The sets were sold with a pink vest, black pullover shirt and knit pants in sizes 12 months to 6X. "Young Hearts" is printed on a label inside the shirt collar. The pink vest has a black bow applique on the left front and a pink elastic belt with silver clasps.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the belt from the vest to eliminate the hazard, or return the set to the store where purchased for a full refund.
Sold at: Conway, Citi Trends, Duckwall-Alco and other children's apparel stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com from September 2012 to December 2012 for about $40.
Importer: Children's Apparel Network, of New York, N.Y.
Manufactured in: China
Obama Administration Notifies Congress of Intent to Include Japan in Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Workshop on Mexico’s NAFTA Verification of Origin Audits
Senators Portman and McCaskill File Bipartisan Plan to Overhaul Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Process
Current rules allow companies that require products from overseas to obtain tariff relief. Congress has regularly passed a Miscellaneous Tariff Bill ("MTB") consisting of hundreds of tariff reductions for such products. In order to have a tariff reduction provision included in the MTB companies must first find a member of Congress to sponsor the provision. Only when a provision has been introduced as a stand-alone bill can it be sent to the International Trade Commission ("ITC"). The ITC then reviews all provisions, and often finds that some of these un-vetted bills actually hurt U.S. manufacturers. The provisions that meet standards are bundled into a package that becomes the MTB.
Portman and McCaskill’s legislation is intended to streamline the process for duty-suspensions by allowing companies to submit their proposals directly to the ITC. Once the ITC reviews and accepts the proposal, it will be sent to Congress for final approval. The bill authorizes the new process to be used for three rounds (2013, 2015, and 2018). While it requires a comprehensive review by the ITC of all possible eligible items in 2015 and 2018, an exception is included for the 2013 round so that it can be completed under a truncated timeline.
The bill is available online at http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/2013MTBLegislation.pdf.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Trans-Pacific Partnership Ministers Chart Path Forward on Key Issues and Confirm Next Steps on Japan’s Entry
As the negotiating teams prepare for the next round in Lima, Peru, set for May 15-24, ministers agreed on next steps to advance the TPP talks in a range of areas. They directed negotiators to complete their work on some chapters and to accelerate progress on more challenging issues that remain including intellectual property, competition/state-owned enterprises, and environment, as well as on the market access packages for goods, services/investment, and government procurement. Ministers committed to intensifying their own engagement over the coming months to work out solutions to outstanding sensitive issues and to achieve the TPP Leaders’ objective of a high-quality, ambitious, and comprehensive agreement this year.
Ministers also confirmed that each TPP member has concluded bilateral consultations with Japan regarding Japan’s interest in joining the TPP. Today, Ministers agreed by consensus to finalize with Japan the process for entry in a manner that allows the negotiations to continue expeditiously toward conclusion – as was done with other members that joined the negotiations in progress. Japan can then join the TPP negotiations upon completion of current members’ respective domestic processes.
With Japan’s entry, TPP countries would account for nearly 40 percent of global GDP and about one-third of all world trade. TPP Ministers noted that Japan’s participation in the negotiation will underscore the economic significance of TPP and its promise as a pathway toward a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Classic Characters Recalls Infant Socks Due to Choking Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
Name of Product: Infant Froggy Socks
Units: About 5,000 pairs
Hazard: The stitched knit frog face and feet on the socks can detach, posing a choking hazard to infants and young children.
Description: The knit ankle infant socks have a red ankle border with a lime green sock that has four fabric feet and a dark green frog head with black and white eyes and a red tongue stitched to the top of the toe of the socks. The socks were sold with a Cracker Barrel price tag printed with SKU number 417662, S110, size 6-18M, fiber content and care instructions on the back of the tag.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Sold exclusively at: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store(r) locations from January 2013 to March 2013 for about $7.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled froggy socks away from infants and young children, return the socks to any Cracker Barrel Old Country Store for a full refund or send the socks to Classic Characters for a full refund plus shipping. Send to Classic Characters, 1320 Route 9, Champlain, N.Y. 12919 via UPS ground or US Postal Service.
Importer: Classic Characters Inc., of Quebec, Canada
Manufacturer: Sino-Best Industries, Co. Ltd., of Ningbo, China Manufactured in: China
Consumer Contact: Classic Characters toll-free at (877) 298-9620 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.classiccharacters.com and click on safety notice for more information.
Photos are available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Classic-Characters-Recalls-Infant-Socks
Infant and Children's Dungarees Recalled by J.P. Boden Due to Choking Hazard
Name of Product: Mini Boden Chunky Cord Dungarees
Units; About 1,900
Hazard: The studs and clasps on the pants can detach, posing a choking hazard to infants and small children.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the pants away from children and contact J.P. Boden to receive a postage paid envelope for returning the pants to get a refund.
Description: The recalled overall corduroy dungaree pants were sold in light brown and red in sizes 0-24 months and 2Y through 4Y. There are two snaps on each side of the overalls, side pockets and a center pocket with a sewn-in black and white tab label. There is a label on the back of the waist of the dungarees with item number 72092. The label inside the back strap of the dungarees reads "Baby Boden" and the buttons read "Mini Boden." Pants shipped directly to consumers came in a bag labeled "Mini Boden."
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Sold at: Nordstrom stores, online at Bodenusa.com and through the Boden catalog from July 2012 through March 2013 for about $40.
Manufacturer/Importer: J.P. Boden Services Inc., of Pittston, Pa.
Manufactured in: China
Consumer Contact: J.P. Boden Services Inc. toll-free at (866) 206-9508 from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET daily or online at www.bodenusa.com, then click on Recall Information for more information. Photos are available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Infant-and-Childrens-Dungarees-Recalled-by-JP-Boden/
Thursday, April 18, 2013
USITC Seeks Input on US-EU Trade Agreement
The investigations, U.S.-E.U. Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement: Advice on the Probable Economic Effect of Providing Duty-Free Treatment for Imports, were requested by the Acting United States Trade Representative ("U.S.T.R.") in a letter received on March 26, 2013.
As requested, the USITC will advise the President as to the probable economic effect of providing duty-free treatment for imports of products from all of the European Union ("E.U.") member states on industries in the United States producing like or directly competitive articles and on consumers. In preparing its advice, the U.S.I.T.C. will consider each article in chapters 1 through 97 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States for which tariffs will remain, taking into account implementation of U.S. commitments in the World Trade Organization. The advice will be based on the 2013 Harmonized Tariff Schedule nomenclature and trade data for the year 2012. The advice will assume that any known U.S. non-tariff barrier will not be applicable to such imports, and the U.S.I.T.C. will note in its report any instance in which the continued application of a U.S. non-tariff barrier would result in different advice with respect to the effect of the removal of the duty.
In addition, as requested, the U.S.I.T.C. will prepare an assessment of the probable economic effect of eliminating tariffs on imports from all of the E.U. member states of certain agricultural products on U.S. industries producing the product concerned and the U.S. economy as a whole. A list of the products is attached to the U.S.T.R.'s request letter.
The U.S.I.T.C. expects to submit its report, which will be confidential, to the U.S.T.R. by September 26, 2013.
The U.S.I.T.C. is seeking input for these investigations from all interested parties and requests that the information focus on the issues for which the U.S.I.T.C. is requested to provide information and advice.
The U.S.I.T.C. will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigations on June 5, 2013. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on May 16, 2013, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20436. For further information, call 202-205-2000.
The U.S.I.T.C. also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary of the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on June 18, 2013. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.
Army Combat Uniform Contracts Awarded
AFI, LLC Camuy, Puerto Rico, has been awarded a maximum $43,337,008 contract for various types of Permethrin Army Combat Uniform trousers. The award is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Location of performance is Puerto Rico with an April 16, 2014 performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2013 through fiscal year 2014 Defense Working Capital Funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.
Gerbings Recalls Heated Jacket Liners Due to Burn Hazard
Name of Product: 12-volt heated jacket liners
Units: About 9,900
Hazard: A defective wire connector can cause the jacket liner to overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
Description: This recall involves Gerbings and Harley-Davidson(r) black nylon, 12-volt, heated jacket liners. The jacket liners heat up when plugged into a vehicle, such as a motorcycle or snowmobile. "Gerbing's Heated Clothing" or "Harley Davidson(r)" is printed on the front left chest of the jacket liners. The Gerbing's jacket liners have model number JKLN and PO# 3796 and Harley-Davidson(r) jackets have model number 98324-09VM and GM32873, GM32874, GM34188, GM34189, GM34190 or GM34191. The model number, PO number and "Use only 12 Volts" are printed on a label sewn inside next to the jacket liner's front zipper.
Incidents/Injuries: Gerbings has received two reports of the jacket liners overheating, causing minor dime-sized burns to consumers' backs, resulting in blisters.
Sold at: Harley-Davidson(r) dealerships, Eagle Leather and other sporting goods, retail stores and motorcycle shops nationwide from April 2011 through December 2012 for between $200 and $240.
Importer: Gerbings, LLC, of Stoneville, N.C.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the jacket liners and contact Gerbings, LLC for a free repair or replacement liner.
Consumer Contact: Gerbings LLC; toll-free at (877) 242-5595 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET, Harley-Davidson(r) at (800) 258-2464 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or online at www.gerbing.com and click on the Recalls & Warnings link for more information.
Photos are available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Gerbings-Recalls-Heated-Jacket-Liners
Friday, April 12, 2013
Department of Defense Contracted Awarded for Flyer's Coveralls
Warp Stretch Woven Fabric Sought for DR-CAFTA Program
WARP STRETCH WOVEN RAYON, NYLON, SPANDEX FABRIC
Fiber Content: |
Rayon (67-80%), Nylon (15-35%), Spandex (2-6%) |
Yarn
Configuration: |
Warp: nylon filament combined with spandex filament Filling: rayon staple |
Yarn Denier: |
Nylon and Spandex of various deniers. |
Width: |
56-60" (142 to 153 cm) |
Weight: |
220-315 grams per square meter |
Thread Count
(Density): |
76-110 Ends per inch (Warp) X 70-90 Picks Per Inch (Filling);
(30-44 ends per cm (warp) x 27-36 picks per cm) |
Weave Type: |
Twill Weave |
Finishing Processes: |
Airjet Dyed |
The inquirer requires a minimum of
700,000 yards per month/ 8,400,000 yards per year (640,080 meters per
month/ 7,680,960 meters per year) of the above warp stretch woven rayon, nylon,
spandex fabric.
Manufacturing Council to Meet April 30th
BACKGROUND
The Manufacturing Council was created in June 2004 to ensure regular communication between the Federal Government and the manufacturing sector, as well as to foster collaboration across all U.S. industry sectors to promote new ideas for continuously improving manufacturing competitiveness.
The Manufacturing Council is comprised of up to 15 private-sector executives who reflect a balance of U.S. manufacturing industry sectors, geographic locations, and business size. The Council advises the Secretary of Commerce on government policies and programs that affect U.S. manufacturing and provides a forum for proposing solutions to industry-related problems. The Council also works to ensure that the U.S. remains the preeminent destination for investment in manufacturing throughout the world.
The Council’s work concentrates on enhancing the government’s focus on manufacturing competitiveness, creating the favorable conditions for economic growth and manufacturing investment, lowering the cost of manufacturing in the U.S., investing in innovation, strengthening education, retraining, and economic diversification, and promoting open markets and a level playing field.
The Manufacturing Council meets quarterly.
David Hastings of Mount Vernon Mills is the textile representative on the Council and was appointed in 2010. Daniel Harding Stowe, President and Chief Executive Officer, R.L. Stowe Mills, Inc. had been a member of the Council since June 2004
Statement by Acting U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis Regarding Japan and the Trans-Pacific Partnership
“Since November 2011, the United States has been engaged in consultations with Japan focused on Japan’s readiness to meet the TPP's high standards for liberalizing trade and investment, and to address specific bilateral issues of concern in the automotive and insurance sectors, as well as other Japanese non-tariff measures.“The United States and Japan have successfully completed these consultations by concluding a robust package of actions and agreements with Japan in the automotive and insurance sectors, as well as other non-tariff measures. As a result, we are pleased to welcome Japan’s participation in the TPP negotiations pending a consensus agreement among the current TPP members and the completion of our respective domestic processes. Japan’s entry into this important initiative for the Asia-Pacific region will help it to deliver significant economic benefits to the United States, Japan and the Asia-Pacific region."
More information is on the website of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2013/april/amb-marantis-japan-tpp.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Job Opening: General Counsel to U.S. International Trade Commission
U.S. and Guatemala Agree on Improved Labor Law Enforcement
BACKGROUND
On April 23, 2008, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations ("AFL-CIO") and six Guatemalan unions filed a petition, the first of its kind, under the labor provisions of the United States-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement ("DR-CAFTA") with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Trade & Labor Affairs. On July 30, 2010, the U.S. Labor Department announced the United States would request consultations with Guatemala’s government under the labor chapter of the DR-CAFTA. It was the first such action by any U.S. administration against a trading partner.
Techtextil North American 2014 Call for Papers
Papers are especially solicited in the following areas:
- Extreme fibers and fabrics for special applications
- Composites – involving high performance fibers/fabrics
- New innovation/developments in protective textiles
- Technical textiles in sports and outdoor
- Automotive and aerospace applications
- Smart/intelligent nonwovens and other materials
- Nanotechnology in technical textiles – potential and real world applications
- Future materials – what, when, and how technical textiles will impact industry
- Medical – special applications
- Agricultural applications
Selection of papers to be presented will be based on abstracts of 300-500 words. Authors should emphasize new and significant findings/developments.
Deadline for submission is July 1, 2013 through electronic submission (email) to the following:
Kristy Meade
Group Show Director
Techtextil North America Symposium
1600 Parkwood Circle, Suite 615
Atlanta, Georgia 30339
Phone: 678-732-2424
Fax: 770-984-8023
Email: Kristy.Meade@usa.messefrankfurt.com
URL: www.techtextilNA.com
All abstract must include: the name, company or other affiliation, telephone number, fax number, e-mail address and mailing address of the speaker and/or the person to whom correspondence about the abstract should be directed. Only one speaker per presentation will be allowed, though co-authors may be listed. The speaker for the paper should be underlined and (the speaker only) will receive a complimentary conference/event registration. Authors will only be notified if their papers are accepted by September 15, 2013.
Authors of accepted papers will be required to provide a full paper and/or presentation by April 1, 2014. Authors are responsible for securing any necessary copyright or other clearance for all abstracts, papers and other materials submitted.
All presentations should be planned to run approximately 20 minutes plus 10 minutes for questions.
For questions, please contact Kristy Meade at 678-732-2424 or Kristy.Meade@usa.messefrankfurt.com.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Baby Socks Recalled by Trumpette Due to Choking Hazard
Recall Date: April 10, 2013 -- Recall Number: 13-166
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Consumers should stop using this product, which is being recalled voluntarily, unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Recall Summary
Name of product: "Aubree's" and "Hearts" baby socks
Hazard: The flowers and the bows on the baby socks can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Remedy: Refund
Consumer Contact: Trumpette Inc.; toll-free at (877) 938-7265, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or online at www.trumpette.com and click on Recall for more information.
Recall Details
Units: About 33,000 pair
Description: This recall involves "Aubree's" and "Hearts" baby socks sold in sizes 0 to 12 months. "Aubree's" socks have flowers attached to the toes. "Hearts" socks have bows attached to the toes of the heart-patterned socks. "TRUMPETTE" is printed on the soles. They were sold in packages of six pairs of socks in multiple colors.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received eight reports of the flowers or bows detaching from the socks. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled socks away from babies and remove the flowers or bows to eliminate the hazard, or return the socks to the place of purchase or Trumpette for a full refund or store credit.
Sold at: Buy Buy Baby, Right Start and Trumpette stores nationwide and online at buybuybaby.com, rightstart.com and trumpette.com from December 2012 and February 2013 for about $15.
Importer: Trumpette Inc., of Sacramento, Calif.
Manufacturer: Asia Socks, of China
Manufactured in: China
Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Baby-Socks-Recalled-by-Trumpette.
CPSC Announces Upholstered Furniture Fire Safety Technology Meeting
CPSC Staff to Attend Furniture Flammability Summit in Atlanta on April 16th
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Contact Awarded for Navy Boots
Monday, April 8, 2013
Three Mississippi Companies with Limited FTZ Approval for Micro-Denier Suede Upholstery Fabrics Seek Extension of Approval for Indefinite Time
The Bauhaus facility is located within Site 16 of FTZ 158 and currently has authority to conduct cut-and-sew activity using certain foreign micro-denier suede upholstery fabrics to produce upholstered furniture and related parts (upholstery cover sets) on a restricted basis (see, Board Order 1600, 74 FR 262-263, 1-5-2009). Board Order 1600 authorized the production of upholstered furniture (sofa, chairs, and recliners) for a five-year period, with a scope of authority that only provides FTZ savings on a limited quantity (3.5 million square yards/year) of foreign origin, micro-denier suede upholstery fabric finished with a hot caustic soda solution process. All foreign upholstery fabric other than micro-denier suede fabric used in Bauhaus' production within FTZ 158 is subject to full customs duties.
The HMRI facility is located within Site 15 of FTZ 158 and currently has authority to conduct cut-and-sew activity using certain foreign micro-denier suede upholstery fabrics to produce upholstered furniture and related parts (upholstery cover sets) on a restricted basis (see, Board Order 1599, 74 FR 263, 1-5-2009). Board Order 1599 authorized the production of upholstered furniture (sofa, chairs, and recliners) for a five-year period, with a scope of authority that only provides FTZ savings on a limited quantity (3.6 million square yards/year) of foreign origin, micro-denier suede upholstery fabric finished with a hot caustic soda solution process. All foreign upholstery fabric other than micro-denier suede fabric used in HMRI's production within FTZ 158 is subject to full customs duties.
The Lane facilities are located within Sites 14, 16, and 17 of FTZ 158 and currently have authority to conduct cut-and-sew activity using certain foreign micro-denier suede upholstery fabrics to produce upholstered furniture and related parts (upholstery cover sets) on a restricted basis (see, Board Order 1598, 74 FR 263, 1-5-2009). Board Order 1598 authorized the production of upholstered furniture (sofa, chairs, and recliners) for a five-year period, with a scope of authority that only provides FTZ savings on a limited quantity (6.5 million square yards/year) of foreign origin, micro-denier suede upholstery fabric finished with a hot caustic soda solution process. All foreign upholstery fabric other than micro-denier suede fabric used in Lane's production within FTZ 158 is subject to full customs duties.
The current requests seek to extend the companies' current FTZ authority indefinitely.
The proposed scope of authority under FTZ procedures would only involve micro-denier suede upholstery fabrics finished with a hot caustic soda solution process, as detailed in the notification (duty rate ranges from 2.7 to 17.2%). All other material inputs used in the production activity would be in domestic (duty paid) status.
Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions shall be addressed to the FTZ Board's Executive Secretary and received by May 20, 2013.
Friday, April 5, 2013
U.S. Department of Commerce Launches Made in U.S.A. Sourcing Database for Textiles, Apparel, and Footwear.
A quick look at the online database of U.S. manufacturers reveals that many U.S. companies have not yet taken advantage of this free listing service through the U.S. government.
Monday, April 1, 2013
USTR Calls for Comments Concerning Proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Agreement
DATES: Written comments are due by midnight, May 10, 2013. Persons wishing to testify orally at the hearing must provide written notification of their intention, as well as a summary of their testimony, by midnight, May 10, 2013. The hearing will be held on May 29 and 30 beginning at 9:30 a.m., at the main hearing room of the United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436.
ADDRESSES: Public comments should be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov. If you are unable to provide submissions at www.regulations.gov, please contact Yvonne Jamison, Trade Policy Staff Committee ("TPSC"), at (202) 395-3475, to arrange for an alternative method of transmission.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For procedural questions concerning written comments, please contact Yvonne Jamison at the above number. All other questions regarding the TTIP agreement should be directed to David Weiner, Deputy Assistant USTR for Europe, at (202) 395-9679.
Written Comments: The TPSC Chair invites interested parties to submit written comments to assist USTR as it works with other U.S. government agencies and continues to consult with Congress to develop U.S. negotiating objectives and proposals for the proposed TTIP agreement. Comments may address the reduction or elimination of tariffs or non-tariff barriers on any articles provided for in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States ("HTSUS") that are products of the EU, any concession that should be sought by the United States, or any other matter relevant to the proposed agreement. The TPSC Chair invites comments on all of these matters and, in particular, seeks comments regarding:
(a) General and product-specific negotiating objectives for the proposed agreement;
(b) economic costs and benefits to U.S. producers and consumers of removal of tariffs and removal or reduction in non-tariff barriers on articles traded with the EU;
(c) treatment of specific goods (described by HTSUS numbers) under the proposed agreement, including comments on--
(1) product-specific import or export interests or barriers,
(2) experience with particular measures that should be addressed in the negotiations, and
(3) approach to tariff negotiations, including recommended staging and ways to address export priorities and import sensitivities in the context of the proposed agreement;
(d) adequacy of existing customs measures to ensure that duty rates under an agreement with the EU apply only to goods eligible to receive such treatment, and appropriate rules of origin for goods entering the United States under the proposed agreement;
(e) existing sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade that should be addressed in the negotiations;
(f) opportunities for greater transatlantic regulatory compatibility, including concrete ideas on how greater compatibility could be achieved in a particular economic sector, without diminishing the ability of the United States to continue to meet legitimate regulatory objectives, for example with respect to health, safety and the environment, and which sectors should be the focus of such efforts;
(g) opportunities to reduce unnecessary costs and administrative delays stemming from regulatory differences, including how that could be achieved in a particular economic sector;
(h) opportunities to enhance customs cooperation between the United States and the EU and its member states, ensure transparent, efficient, and predictable conduct of customs operations, and ensure that customs measures are not applied in a manner that creates unwarranted procedural obstacles to trade;
(i) existing barriers to trade in services between the United States and the EU that should be addressed in the negotiations;
(j) relevant electronic commerce and cross-border data flow issues that should be addressed in the negotiations;
(k) relevant investment issues that should be addressed in the negotiations;
(l) relevant competition-related matters that should be addressed in the negotiations;
(m) relevant government procurement issues, including coverage of any government agencies or state-owned enterprises engaged in procurements of interest, that should be addressed in the negotiations;
(n) relevant environmental issues that should be addressed in the negotiations;
(o) relevant labor issues that should be addressed in the negotiations;
(p) relevant transparency and anticorruption issues that should be addressed in the negotiations; and
(q) relevant trade-related intellectual property rights issues that should be raised with the EU.
In addition to the matters described above, the TPSC invites comments on new principles or disciplines addressing emerging challenges in international trade that should be pursued in the negotiations and that would benefit U.S.-EU trade as well as strengthen the multilateral rules-based trading system and support other trade-related priorities, including, for example, with respect to state-owned enterprises, ``localization'' barriers to trade, and other developments on which the United States and the EU may share similar concerns.
At a later date, USTR, through the TPSC, will publish notice of reviews regarding (a) the possible environmental effects of the proposed agreement and the scope of the U.S. environmental review of the proposed agreement, and (b) the impact of the proposed agreement on U.S. employment and labor markets.
Oral Testimony: A hearing will be held on May 29 and May 30 in the Main Hearing Room at the U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E St. SW., Washington, DC 20436. Persons wishing to testify at the hearing must provide written notification of their intention by May 10, 2013. The intent to testify notification must be made in the ``Type Comment'' field under docket number USTR-2013-0019 on the regulations.gov Web site and should include the name, address and telephone number of the person presenting the testimony. A summary of the testimony must accompany the notification. Remarks at the hearing should be limited to no more than five minutes to allow for possible questions from the TPSC.