Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Navy Uniform Contract Awarded
Patent Review
Monday, January 26, 2015
2017 Changes to Tariff Schedule Annouced
- agricultural sector 85;
- chemical sector 45;
- wood sector 13;
- textile sector 15;
- base metal sector 6;
- machinery sector 25;
- transport sector 18;
- other sectors 26.
NOTE: Nearly one-half of the world's population lives at risk of malaria. The HS 2017 amendment aims at detailed information for several categories of products, included impregnated or coated textiles, that are used as antimalarial commodities.
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States ("HTSUS") is based on the HS. The HTSUS is maintained by the U.S. International Trade Commission.
Federal Business Opportunities for Sunday, January 26, 2915
------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--protective equipment Agency: Department of the Navy ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Service and Administrative Uniform Agency: Department of the Interior ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--M98 Pleated Particulate Media Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Sweatshirts & Sweatpants Agency: Department of the Air Force ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--M98 Fines Media (Inner & Outer) Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Firefighter Turnout Coat & Pant Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: INSIGNIA, EMBROIDERED, ENLISTED PERSONNEL, PRIVATE Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--TENT, SECTION, END, GREEN, MGPTS Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: T-Shirt, Athletes, Short Sleeve, APFU Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84 T-Shirt, Athletes, Long Sleeve, APFU Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Commercial Item, Polyurethane Foam for Manufacture of Mattresses Agency: Department of Justice ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Boot, 9" Safety Men's & Women's Navy Certified Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: LAUNDRY SERVICE Agency: Department of Homeland Security ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Textile Tape Agency: General Services Administration ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Pentagon Arc Flash Uniforms Agency: Other Defense Agencies ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Socks Agency: Department of the Air Force -------------------------------------------------------
Clients of Agathon Associates and subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service can find links to the full solicitations at www.agathonassociates.com/textile-pri/berry/fbo.htm. You will need to enter your username and password. If you do not know your username and password email David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
CAFTA-DR Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding Guatemala's Failure To Effectively Enforce Its Labor Laws
SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that effective September 19, 2014, at the request of the United States, the arbitral panel reviewing the U.S. challenge to Guatemala's breach of its obligations under Article 16.2.1(a) of the Dominican Republic--Central America--United States Free Trade Agreement (``CAFTA-DR'') has begun its review.
DATES: Although USTR will accept any comments received during the course of the dispute settlement proceedings, comments should be submitted on or before February 20, 2015, to be assured of timely consideration by USTR.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Lorica International Has Been Granted a Patent for its Direct Yarn Spinning Process (DYSP)
Canada Takes Strong Action Against U.S. Buy American Restrictions at Port of Prince Rupert in British Columbia
This work is funded by the United States Government through the Federal Highway Administration and the State of Alaska, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. All iron and steel products associated with this project are subject to the provisions of the Buy America Provisions, U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 23 CFR 635.410. Reference Section 106-1.01 of the Special Provisions.
The Engineer's Estimate is between $10,000,000 and $15,000,000. All work shall be completed by March 1, 2016.
On January 19, 2015, the Honourable Ed Fast, Canadian Minister of International Trade, today issued the following statement:
“On behalf of hard-working Canadians and businesses that are being harmed by protectionist U.S. Buy America legislation that imposes U.S. content requirements on a project at the Port of Prince Rupert, British Columbia, we are disappointed by the State of Alaska’s decision not to seek a waiver from the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding these provisions.
“A waiver would have resolved this issue in a manner that would have allowed this project to move forward without delay.
“We have been clear: the application of protectionist Buy America provisions on Canadian soil is unacceptable and an affront to Canadian sovereignty.
“Therefore, an order has been signed under the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act securing Canada’s right to prevent compliance with the Buy America provisions for this project.
“We remain committed to working with our U.S. partners to resolve this unacceptable situation and call on them to seek a waiver of the Buy America restrictions.
“However, we are prepared to exercise this order to defend Canadian interests.
“Buy America provisions deny both countries’ companies and communities the clear benefits that arise from our integrated supply chain and our commitment to freer and more open trade. We call upon our American friends to join with us to end the harm such policies are doing within our shared North American economy.”
Under Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act it is prohibited for any person in Canada, in respect of alterations or improvements to be made to premises leased by the State of Alaska from the Prince Rupert Port Authority, to comply with section 313 of title 23 of the United States Code or section 410 of part 635 of title 23 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations. The penalty for violation can be as high as $1.5 million and fiver years in prison.
Bill Filed for Duty-Free Imports of Textiles and Apparel from Nepal
Federal Business Opportunities, Wednesday, January 21, 2015
------------------------------------------------------- Title: FLAGS AND PENNANTS, FLAG SIGNAL AIRFIELD VEHICLES, HEAVYWEIGHT NYLON, NINE 12 IN SQUARES, ALTERNATING ORANGE AND WHITE, HOIST 3FT,FLY 3 FT Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: INSIGNIA,SHOULDER SLEEVE, EMBROIDERED, ARMY, MILITARY POLICE, MP FOLIAGE GREEN, WITH HOOK, FASTENER TAPE BACKING Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Insignia Agency: Department of Homeland Security ------------------------------------------------------- Title: AMERICAN FLAG DON'T TREAD ON ME SHOULDER PATCHES Agency: Other Defense Agencies ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Service and Administrative Uniform Agency: Department of the Interior ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Generation II Advanced Combat Helmet Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Flame Resistant Jackets Agency: Department of the Air Force ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Eagles Industries Soft Armor Inserts Agency: Department of the Navy ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Female Officer Dress Blue Coat Agency: Department of the Navy ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--154 LRS OCP Fire Resistant Apparel Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: ACU/OEF-CP Sun Hat; NWU Boonie Cover Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Hot & Cold Weather Boots Agency: Department of the Air Force ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Deployment Baggage Agency: Department of the Air Force ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Breat and Waist Plates Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--TENT,MX SHELTER, TAN, Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--INSIGNIA,GARRISON C Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--FLAG,NATIONAL Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--Wrestling Shoes Agency: Department of the Army -------------------------------------------------------
Clients of Agathon Associates and subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service can find links to the full solicitations at www.agathonassociates.com/textile-pri/berry/fbo.htm. You will need to enter your username and password. If you do not know your username and password email David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.
The State of the Union and International Trade
"I’m asking both parties to give me trade promotion authority to protect American workers with strong new trade deals from Asia to Europe." -- President Barack Obama, January 20, 2015, State of the Union Address.
Friday, January 16, 2015
WTO Appellate Body Affirms U.S. Victory in Trade Enforcement Dispute Against Argentina’s Import Licensing Restrictions
CPSC Invites Comments Related to Corded Window Coverings
SUMMARY: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (the Commission or CPSC) has reason to believe that certain cords on window coverings may present an unreasonable risk of injury to young children. This advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) initiates a rulemaking proceeding under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA). We invite comments concerning the risk of injury associated with corded window coverings, the regulatory alternatives discussed in this notice, the costs to achieve each regulatory alternative, the effect of each alternative on the safety, cost, utility, and availability of window coverings, and other possible ways to address the risk of strangulation posed to young children by window covering cords. We also invite interested persons to submit an existing standard or a statement of intent to modify or develop a voluntary standard to address the risk of injury described in this notice.DATES: Written comments in response to this notice must be received by March 17, 2015.
Vapor Apparel announces U.S. manufacturing facility in South Carolina
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Duty Reduction and Suspension on Fine Wool Expired January 1st
| Subheading | Article Description | General Rate of Duty | Effective Through |
| 9902.51.11 | Fabrics, of worsted wool, with average fiber diameters greater than 18.5 micron (provided for in subheading 5112.11.60, or 5112.19.95) See U.S. note 15 | 10% | 12/31/2014 |
| 9902.51.13 | Yarn, of combed wool, not put up for retail sale, containing 85 percent or more by weight of wool, formed with wool fibers having average diameters of 18.5 micron or less (provided for in subheading 5107.10.30) | Free | 12/31/2014 |
| 9902.51.14 | Wool fiber, waste, garnetted stock, combed wool, or wool top, the foregoing having average fiber diameters of 18.5 micron or less (provided for in subheading 5101.11, 5101.19, 5101.21, 5101.29, 5101.30, 5103.10, 5103.20, 5104.00, 5105.21, or 5105.29) | Free | 12/31/2014 |
| 9902.51.15 | Fabrics of combed wool, containing 85 percent or more by weight of wool, with wool yarns of average fiber diameters of 18.5 micron or less, under the terms of U.S. note 16(b) to this subchapter (provided for in subheading 5112.11.30 or 5112.19.60) | Free | 12/31/2014 |
| 9902.51.16 | Fabrics of combed wool, containing 85 percent or more by weight of wool, with wool yarns of average fiber diameters of 18.5 micron or less, under the terms of U.S. note 17 to this subchapter (provided for in subheading 5112.11.30 or 5112.19.60) | Free | 12/31/2014 |
U.S. Notes
* * *
13. For purposes of headings 9902.51.11 and 9902.51.12, the term “suit” has the meaning given such term under note 3(a) of chapter 62 for purposes of headings 6203 and 6204.
14. For purposes of headings 9902.51.11 and 9902.51.12, the term “making” means cut and sewn in the United States.
15. (a) The aggregate quantity of worsted wool fabrics entered under heading 9902.51.11 shall be limited to 2,500,000 square meter equivalents in calendar year 2001, 3,500,000 square meter equivalents in calendar year 2002, 4,500,000 square meter equivalents in calendar years 2003 and 2004, and 5,500,000 square meter equivalents in calendar year 2005 and each calendar year thereafter for the benefit of persons who cut and sew men’s and boys’ worsted wool suits and suit-like jackets and trousers in the United States, allocated as required by section 501(e) of the Trade and Development Act of 2000.
(b) For purposes of heading 9902.51.11, all fabrics entered under such heading must be certified by the importer as suitable for use in making men’s and boys’ suits (as defined in U.S. note 13 to this subchapter), suit-type jackets, or trousers and must be imported for the benefit of persons who cut and sew such clothing in the
United States.
16. (a) The aggregate quantity of worsted wool fabrics entered under subheading 9902.51.15 shall be limited to 1,500,000 square meter equivalents in calendar year 2001, 2,500,000 square meter equivalents in calendar year 2002, 3,500,000 square meter equivalents in calendar years 2003 and 2004, 5,000,000 square meter equivalents in calendar year 2005 and each calendar year thereafter, allocated as required by section 501(e) of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 for the benefit of persons who cut and sew such clothing in the United States.
(b) For purposes of heading 9902.51.15, all fabrics entered under such heading must be certified by the importer as suitable for use in making men’s and boys’ suits (as defined in U.S. note 13 to this subchapter), suit-typejackets, or trousers and must be imported for the benefit of persons who cut and sew such clothing in the United States.
17. (a) The aggregate quantity of worsted wool fabric entered under subheading 9902.51.16 shall be limited to 2,000,000 square meter equivalents in calendar year 2005 and each calendar year thereafter, allocated in accordance with section 501(e) of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 for the benefit of persons who weave worsted wool fabric suitable for use in men’s and boys’ suits.
(b) For purposes of heading 9902.51.16, all fabrics entered under such heading must be certified by the importer as suitable for use in making men’s and boys’ suits (as defined in U.S. note 13 to this subchapter), suit-type jackets, or trousers and must be imported for the benefit of persons who weave in the United States worsted wool fabric suitable for use in such clothing.
The duty on fabric is 25% and 6% on yarn. Fiber in the various stages of processing is subject to a range of import duties.
RELIEF MAY BE COMING. The 2014 "Farm Bill" provides that:
"In any calendar year in which the suspension of duty on wool fabrics provided for under headings 9902.51.11, 9902.51.13, 9902.51.14, 9902.51.15, and 9902.51.16 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States are not in effect, the amount of any payment described in subsection (b)(1) to a manufacturer or successor-in-interest shall be increased by an amount the Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, determines is equal to the amount the manufacturer or successor-in-interest would have saved during the calendar year of the payment if the suspension of duty on wool fabrics were in effect."
The regulation to implement the provision for refund of duties has not yet been written, so we are not clear at this time on how it will be implemented.
The Heytex Group expands its worldwide product portfolio by purchasing BondCote
Dept. of Defense Seeks Domestic Sources of Rayon or Substitutes for Rayon
Determinations have been made that rayon yarn/fiber is not currently produced in the United States or its possessions. There is currently a Domestic Non-Availability Determination in effect for Rayon. DLA Troop Support is hereby providing producers of rayon yarn/fiber complying with specification and domestic source and content requirements of the Berry Amendment an opportunity to identify themselves. In accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2241, every component (including all natural and synthetic fibers) must be grown and produced in the United States or its possessions. If your firm meets this criteria and produces rayon/fiber domestically, please submit your firm's name and point of contact to DLA Troop Support. DLA Troop Support will also entertain domestically produced substitutes for rayon yarn/fiber. If your firm manufactures domestic substitutes for rayon yarn/fiber that are capable of meeting specification requirements called for in heraldic items, please submit your company information along with the domestically manufactured substitute component.
Federal Business Opportunities, Thursday, January 15, 2015
------------------------------------------------------- Title: Pentagon Arc Flash Uniforms Agency: Other Defense Agencies ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Sources Sought Domestically Produced Rayon Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Tactical Boots Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--4x6 American Flags Agency: Department of Homeland Security ------------------------------------------------------- Title: VARIOUS THREADS - BERRY COMPLIANT Office: Federal Prison Industries/UNICOR ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--PARKA,CAMOUFLAGE Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--CARBON CLOTH W-133 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency -------------------------------------------------------
Clients of Agathon Associates and subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service can find links to the full solicitations at www.agathonassociates.com/textile-pri/berry/fbo.htm. You will need to enter your username and password. If you do not know your username and password email David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.
Army Trouser Contract Awarded
Let Freedom Ring
Dr. King, was a leader -- many would argue an indispensable man -- in the mid-twentieth century struggle for racial equality in America. It was a struggle that culminated in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the 50th anniversary of which we celebrated last year. That act outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, prohibiting racial discrimination in voting.
When President Ronald Reagan, on November 2, 1983, signed into law the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday he reminded his listeners that—
"Martin Luther King was born in 1929 in an America where, because of the color of their skin, nearly one in ten lived lives that were separate and unequal…taught in segregated schools…could find only poor jobs, toiling for low wages…refused entry into hotels and restaurants, made to use separate facilities. In a nation that proclaimed liberty and justice for all, too many black Americans were living with neither."
President Reagan went on to remark that “Dr. King had awakened something strong and true, a sense that true justice must be colorblind.” And Mr. Reagan pointed to both the progress made -- and yet to be made -- in the struggle for an America that lives up to her noble sentiment that all men are created equal, citing the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965. Reagan, as he so often did, then called on Americans to embrace and enlarge upon their better nature, and exhorted his listeners—
"But most important, there was not just a change of law; there was a change of heart. The conscience of America had been touched. Across the land, people had begun to treat each other not as blacks and whites, but as fellow Americans.
"But traces of bigotry still mar America. So, each year on Martin Luther King Day, let us not only recall Dr. King, but rededicate ourselves to the Commandments he believed in and sought to live every day: Thou shall love thy God with all thy heart, and thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. And I just have to believe that all of us—if all of us, young and old, Republicans and Democrats, do all we can to live up to those Commandments, then we will see the day when Dr. King's dream comes true, and in his words, 'All of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning, '... land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.'"
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
DP WOODROW & CO, LLC has been engaged by NatureVest, a division of The Nature Conservancy, to conduct research on demand for and obstacles to sourcing environmentally differentiated wool.
The study will engage progressive retail brands as well as global supply chain leaders in the outdoor, fashion apparel and home furnishings markets. Denine Woodrow states, "the wool industry continues to be challenged by the difficulty in developing traceable sourcing practices and supply chains outside the basic commodity markets. Wool is a natural fiber with many technical attributes that are attractive to end use products. We aim to determine the feasibility of sourcing, supply and marketing of environmentally differentiated wool. We are excited about the opportunity to work on this project with NatureVest and leaders in the wool industry."
The project commenced on December 18, 2014 and is expected to be finalized in March of 2015.
Mark your calendars: STRC 2015 will be held in Greenville, S.C.
Visit www.thestrc.org for information on the 2014 conference.
Red Wing Shoe Company Files for FTZ
An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board (the Board) by the Salt Lake City Corporation, grantee of FTZ 30, requesting subzone status for the facility of Red Wing Shoe Company, Inc., located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The application was submitted pursuant to the provisions of the Foreign-Trade Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a-81u), and the regulations of the Board (15 CFR part 400). It was formally docketed on January 8, 2015.
The proposed subzone (10.8 acres) is located at 1841, 1883, 1901 and 1941 South 5070 West, Salt Lake City. No authorization for production activity has been requested at this time. The proposed subzone would be subject to the existing activation limit of FTZ 30.
In accordance with the Board's regulations, Christopher Kemp of the FTZ Staff is designated examiner to review the application and make recommendations to the Executive Secretary.
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 February 23, 2015. Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted during the foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-day period to March 10, 2015.
Note that Red Wing Shoe Company, Inc. plans to use the zone for storage, relabeling, repackaging, and distribution of footwear, apparel, accessories, components, and similar items. These operations will not affect a change in tariff classification or quota category of the merchandise to be admitted to the zone site requested with this application.
EU VAT Rates Published
Catching Up
Monday, January 12, 2015
Federal Business Opportunities, Monday, January 12, 2015
------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--M98 Pleated Particulate Media Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--M98 Fines Media (Inner & Outer) Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--protective equipment Agency: Department of the Navy ------------------------------------------------------- Title: SALOMON HIKING BOOTS Agency: Other Defense Agencies ------------------------------------------------------- Title: SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATIVE UNIFORM Agency: Department of the Interior ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--PARKA,WET WEATHER Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Army Dress Service Caps Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Scarves Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Colonial White Wigs Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Colonial White Shirts Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Carpet for shipboard spaces Agency: Department of Homeland Security ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Tactical Boots Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Blankets Agency: Department of the Air Force -------------------------------------------------------
Clients of Agathon Associates and subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service can find links to the full solicitations at www.agathonassociates.com/textile-pri/berry/fbo.htm. You will need to enter your username and password. If you do not know your username and password email David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.
Army Boot Contract Awarded
23 Years Later, Customs Reverses Itself, Zeros Out Duty on "Abrasive-Coated" "Non-Scratch" Non-Woven
Friday, January 9, 2015
USTR Defends Record of Transparency in Trade Policy
Children’s Pajamas Recalled by Star Ride Kids Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard
Hazard: The pajamas fail to meet federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.
Units: About 7,000
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Sold at: Children’s boutiques and department stores nationwide from August 2013 through November 2013 for between $10 and $13.
Importer: Star Ride Kids, of New York. N.Y.
Manufactured in: China.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Federal Business Opportunities, Thursday, January 8, 2014
------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Academy Student Gear Agency: Department of Homeland Security ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Winter Ceremonial Boots Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Working Boots Composite Toe for Law Enforcement, Custody, Facilities and Food Service Agency: Department of Justice ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Marine Corps Maternity Items Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Brand name or equal cold weather boots (Belleville 775) Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Individual Equipment Items (FSC-8465) Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Fall Protection Equipment Agency: Department of Energy ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--4x6 American Flags Agency: Department of Homeland Security ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--M98 Pleated Particulate Media Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--154 LRS OCP Fire Resistant Apparel Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--M98 Fines Media (Inner & Outer) Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Uniform Rental and Exchange Agency: Department of the Navy ------------------------------------------------------- Title: WELDER'S JACKET Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--PARKA,WET WEATHER Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83-- Bedspreads Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs -------------------------------------------------------
Clients of Agathon Associates and subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service can find links to the full solicitations at www.agathonassociates.com/textile-pri/berry/fbo.htm. You will need to enter your username and password. If you do not know your username and password email David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Government Seeks Comments Regarding Foreign Intellectual Property Violations. Comments Due February 6th
SUMMARY: Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 2242) requires the United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative) to identify countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights ("IPR") or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on intellectual property protection. The provisions of Section 182 are commonly referred to as the ``Special 301'' provisions of the Trade Act. The Trade Act requires the Trade Representative to determine which, if any, of these countries to identify as Priority Foreign Countries. Acts, policies, or practices that are the basis of a country's identification as a Priority Foreign Country can be subject to the procedures set out in sections 301-305 of the Trade Act.
In addition, the Office of the United States Trade Representative ("USTR") has created a ``Priority Watch List'' and ``Watch List'' to assist the Administration in pursuing the goals of the Special 301 provisions. Placement of a trading partner on the Priority Watch List or Watch List indicates that particular problems exist in that country with respect to IPR protection, enforcement, or market access for persons that rely on intellectual property protection. Trading partners placed on the Priority Watch List are the focus of increased bilateral attention concerning the problem areas.
USTR is hereby requesting written submissions from the public concerning foreign countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on intellectual property protection. USTR requests that interested parties provide the information described below in the ``Public Comments'' section, and identify whether a particular trading partner should be named as a Priority Foreign Country under Section 182 of the Trade Act or placed on the Priority Watch List or Watch List. Foreign governments that have been identified in previous Special 301 Reports or that are nominated for review in 2015 are considered interested parties, and are invited to respond to this request for public submissions. Interested parties, including foreign governments, wishing to submit information to be considered during the review or testify at the public hearing must adhere to the procedures and deadlines set forth below.
Dates/Deadlines: The schedule and deadlines for the 2015 Special 301 review are as follows:
Friday, February 6, 2015--Deadline for interested parties, except foreign governments, to submit written comments, notice of intent to testify at the Special 301 Public Hearing, and hearing statements.
Friday, February 13, 2015--Deadline for foreign governments to submit written comments, notice of intent to testify at the Special 301 Public Hearing, and, although not mandatory, any prepared hearing statements.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015--Public Hearing--The Special 301 Subcommittee will hold a Public Hearing for interested parties, including representatives of foreign governments, at the offices of the International Trade Commission.
Friday, February 27, 2015_Deadline for submitting post-hearing written comments. Interested parties may provide written comments after the hearing. To ensure consideration, comments must be received no later than Friday, February 27, 2015.
On or about April 30, 2015--USTR will publish the 2015 Special 301 Report within 30 days of the publication of the National Trade Estimate ("NTE") Report.