Revocation of HQ H192977; Country of origin of certain laminated fabrics.

In the December 11, 2019, Customs Bulletin (Vol. 53, No. 45 starting on page 30), CBP reversed an earlier ruling relating to laminated fabric and now finds that the country of origin is the country where the lamination takes place (England), not the country where the fabrics were woven (China and Pakistan). For more background read Agathon Associations October 2, 2019 blog.

AATCC Foundation Offers New Scholarships for Textile Students

Thanks to two brand new scholarships, AATCC Foundation Inc. will provide more funding than ever to students in textile and related fields. For the 2020-2021 academic year, the AATCC Foundation will award more than 35 scholarships and fellowships, worth nearly $150,000. Students can find and apply for scholarships through one easy online application.

The two newest scholarships in the AATCC Foundation portfolio are the NCTO Paul T. O’Day Scholarship and the Percy W. Woodruff Jr Textile Manufacturing Scholarship.

NCTO Paul T. O’Day Scholarship

NCTO President & CEO Kimberly Glas says, “The Paul O’Day Memorial Scholarship was created to honor a man whose influence and legacy in the fiber sector of the textile industry was revered as he served as President of the American Fiber Manufacturers Association (AFMA) for more than three decades.”

Since the 2018 merger of AFMA with the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), the scholarship is awarded to children of employees at NCTO Fiber Council member companies. Glas says, “The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) is pleased to partner with the AATCC Foundation to promote this scholarship and select recipients with outstanding academic achievements who desire to choose career paths to support the American fiber industry.”

The O’Day Scholarship provides $5,000 per year to an undergraduate student, renewable for up to four years.

Percy W. Woodruff Jr Textile Manufacturing Scholarship

The Woodruff Textile Manufacturing Scholarship is named for Percy W. Woodruff, Jr., who was a non-traditional university student. Despite working several jobs, the only way Woodruff could afford to complete his college education was through the GI Bill as a WWII veteran and income from his wife’s teaching career. After graduating from college with a degree in Textiles, he spent his career in the US textile industry, retiring from Burlington Industries. The Woodruff Scholarship is awarded to other “non-traditional students,” particularly those in the Clemson University Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE). Non-traditional students may be anyone disadvantaged by starting college late or in the wrong major, or any other circumstance.

Recipients of the Woodruff Scholarship receive $2,500. All Foundation scholars are also eligible for free registration and reimbursement of travel funds to attend the AATCC International Conference.

Smart Textiles Summit April 16–17, 2020

Registration is now open for Smart Fabrics Summit 2020. This year's summit is focused on "Ideation to Commercialization." Hear about how a smart product is brought to market, from the initial concept to development to end product distributuion. Network and listen to the advice and perspectives of some of the brightest minds in the smart fabrics industry. Secure your spot today.

For more information and to register CLICK HERE.

J. Crew Recalls Boys’ Denim Pants Due to Aspiration and Choking Hazards

Description: This recall involves Crewcuts boys’ denim pants sold in sizes 2 and 3 and only includes pants that were made in Pakistan. Pants with style number J8406 and season FA 19 are included in the recall. A care label sewn into the side seam lists the style number and season. A label sewn into the waistband of the garment lists the size and country of origin and “Crewcuts.” UPC codes 099105125419 and 099105125420 are listed on the price tag attached to the pants.

Hazard: Small stones can be present in the pockets or waistband of the pants from the stone washing manufacturing process, posing aspiration or choking hazards to young children.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled pants away from children and remove the stones from pockets or internal waistband opening to eliminate the hazard

Incidents/Injuries: J. Crew received one report of stones found in the waistband extension of the pants. No injuries have been reported.

Sold At: J. Crew and Crewcuts stores nationwide and online at jcrew.com from July 2019 through October 2019 for about $50.

Importer(s): J. Crew Group Inc., of New York, N.Y.

Manufactured In: Pakistan

Recall number: 20-040

More information and photos HERE.

Navy Mattress Contract Awarded

National Industries for the Blind, Alexandria, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $12,063,451 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract for multiple sizes of innerspring mattresses. This is a mandatory procurement contract. This is a one-year base contract with two one-year option periods. Locations of performance are North Carolina and Virginia, with a Nov. 4, 2021, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-20-D-B074).

Reminder, Tomorrow is the Deadline to File for Duty Suspensions in the MTB Process

Since 1982, nearly every Congress has passed legislation to temporarily reduce or suspend tariffs on certain imported products and make technical corrections to U.S. tariff laws. Although the official title of the bill varies from year to year, it is usually referred to simply as the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill ("MTB") The duty suspensions and reductions are designed to boost the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers by lowering the cost of imported inputs without harming domestic firms that produce competing products. In addition, in the case of finished goods, MTBs similarly reduce costs for consumers where there is no domestic production and thus no impact on domestic firms. Overall, the tariff relief contained in MTBs is designed both to be broadly available to any entity that imports and pays duties pursuant to the specified tariff heading and to benefit downstream producers, purchasers, and consumers.

To be included in the MTB, a tariff modification (e.g. duty suspension or reduction) must:

1. be non-controversial,
2. cost under $500,000 per year, and
3. be administrable.

In determining whether an MTB meets these criteria, each bill undergoes a thorough vetting process by the Committee; the independent U.S. International Trade Commission ("ITC") and the Administration, including the Department of Commerce ("DOC") and U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP"); and is scored by the Congressional Budget Office ("CBO").

PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue

Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era. https://www.pantone.com/color-intelligence/color-of-the-year/color-of-the-year-2020.