[Federal Register: December 1, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 230)]
[Notices]
[Page 67153]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01de03-45]
[[Page 67153]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS
Request for Public Comments on Commercial Availability Petition
Under the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA)
November 25, 2003.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).
ACTION: Request for public comments concerning a petition for a
determination that certain viscose rayon filament yarns cannot be
supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely
manner under the ATPDEA.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: On November 24, 2003, the Chairman of CITA received a petition
from Encajes, S.A. alleging that certain viscose rayon filament yarns,
of the specifications detailed below, classified in subheading
5403.41.0000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTSUS), cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial
quantities in a timely manner. It requests that apparel articles
containing such yarns assembled in one or more ATPDEA beneficiary
countries be eligible for preferential treatment under the ATPDEA. CITA
hereby solicits public comments on this petition, in particular with
regard to whether these yarns can be supplied by the domestic industry
in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be submitted
by December 16, 2003 to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation
of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce,
14th and Constitution, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janet E. Heinzen, International Trade
Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of
Commerce, (202) 482-3400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: Section 204(b)(3)(B)(ii) of the ATPDEA, Presidential
Proclamation 7616 of October 31, 2002, Executive Order 13277 of
November 19, 2002, and the United States Trade Representative's
Notice of Further Assignment of Functions of November 25, 2002.
Background: The ATPDEA provides for quota- and duty-free treatment
for qualifying textile and apparel products. Such treatment is
generally limited to products manufactured from yarns and fabrics
formed in the United States or a beneficiary country. The ATPDEA also
provides for quota- and duty-free treatment for apparel articles that
are both cut (or knit-to-shape) and sewn or otherwise assembled in one
or more ATPDEA beneficiary countries from fabric or yarn that is not
formed in the United States, if it has been determined that such fabric
or yarn cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial
quantities in a timely manner. Pursuant to Executive Order No. 13277
(67 FR 70305) and the United States Trade Representative's Notice of
Redelegation of Authority and Further Assignment of Functions (67 FR
71606), the President's authority to determine whether yarns or fabrics
cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in
a timely manner under the ATPDEA has been delegated to CITA.
On November 24, 2003, the Chairman of CITA received a petition from
Encajes, S.A., of Bogota, Colombia, alleging that certain viscose rayon
filament yarns, of the specifications detailed below, classified in
HTSUS subheading 5403.41.0000, cannot be supplied by the domestic
industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner and requesting
quota- and duty-free treatment under the ATPDEA for apparel articles
that are cut, or knit to shape, and sewn in one or more ATPDEA
beneficiary countries containing such yarns.
1. Viscose Filament Yarn
DTEX 166/40 Bright Centrifugal
Tenacity, cN/tex, min.--142.0
Elongation at rupture, %--18.0--24.0
Elongation at rupture variation factory, % max.--8.1
Twist direction--S
2. Viscose Filament Yarn
DTEX 330/60 Bright Centrifugal
Tenacity, cN/tex, min.--142.0
Elongation at rupture, %--18.0--24.0
Elongation at rupture variation factor, % max.--8.1
Twist direction--S
CITA is soliciting public comments regarding this request,
particularly with respect to whether these yarns can be supplied by the
domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Also
relevant is whether other yarns that are supplied by the domestic
industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner are substitutable
for the yarn for purposes of the intended use. Comments must be
received no later than December 16, 2003. Interested persons are
invited to submit six copies of such comments or information to the
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, room
3100, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20230.
If a comment alleges that these yarns can be supplied by the
domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner, CITA
will closely review any supporting documentation, such as a signed
statement by a manufacturer of the yarns stating that it produces the
yarns that is the subject of the request, including the quantities that
can be supplied and the time necessary to fill an order, as well as any
relevant information regarding past production.
CITA will protect any business confidential information that is
marked business confidential from disclosure to the full extent
permitted by law. CITA will make available to the public non-
confidential versions of the request and non-confidential versions of
any public comments received with respect to a request in room 3100 in
the Herbert Hoover Building, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20230. Persons submitting comments on a request are
encouraged to include a non-confidential version and a non-confidential
summary.
D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile
Agreements.
[FR Doc. 03-29882 Filed 11-25-03; 4:24 pm]