Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements August 14, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice sets forth the interim procedures the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (``CITA'') will follow in implementing certain provisions of the United States - Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act (``US-PERU TPA''), which implemented into U.S. law the United States - Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (``Agreement''). Section 203(o)(2) of the US-PERU TPA provides that the President shall establish procedures to govern the submission of requests to modify the list of fabrics, yarns, or fibers not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in either the United States or Peru as set out in Annex 3-B of the Agreement. The President has delegated to CITA the authority to determine whether fabrics, yarns, or fibers are not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in either the United States or Peru and has directed CITA to establish procedures that govern the submission of a request and provide the opportunity for interested entities to submit comments and supporting evidence in any such determination pursuant to the US-PERU TPA.

On August 5, 2009, the Chairman of CITA received a request from Sorini Samet & Associates LLC, on behalf of Cintas Corporation (``Cintas''), alleging that certain yarn-dyed poplin fabric, as specified below, classified under subheading 5513.31 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner and requesting that CITA consider whether the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rule of origin for articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted, classified under HTSUS Chapter 62, should be modified to allow the use of certain non-North American yarn-dyed poplin fabric, as specified below. The President may proclaim a modification to the NAFTA rules of origin only after reaching an agreement with the other NAFTA countries on the modification. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether certain yarn-dyed poplin fabric, as specified below, can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be submitted by September 14, 2009 to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.