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| Legislative, Trade & Regulatory News |
RETAILERS AND COMPANIES HIT WITH CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 NOTICES
As some of you know, Proposition 65 is a California law that requires "warning labels" on ALL products (not just children's products) that contain lead, phthalates and other chemicals that, in excess of certain levels, could cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. Prop 65 also allows so-called "citizen enforcers" to enforce the law. NGOs, other groups and even private Californian citizens can sue in California courts and collect part of the fines. On April 8, the Oakland, CA-based Center for Environmental Health (CEH) issued "60 day warning notices" announcing their intent to sue 41 retailers and brand names, including many major retailers and brands, due to high levels of lead the CEH said they found in vinyl and faux leather women's handbags, purses and wallets. Judging by the pictures and descriptions, these handbags were not children's products. (Rebecca Mond)
CPSC ISSUES TWO RECALLS ON FOOTWEAR
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued two voluntary recalls for footwear on April 10. The first recall involved for 200,000 pairs of women's shoes sold at Wal-Mart from June 2008 until December 2008. The shoes pose a fall hazard to consumers. There have been no injuries reported in conjunction with this recall. The CPSC also issued a recall for about 73,000 "CARS" children's shoes. The shoes were sold at Wal-Mart from September 2008 through March 2009. Parts of the shoes can detach and pose a choking hazard to young children. There have also been no reports of injuries associated with this recall. (Rebecca Mond)
14 FIRMS AGREE TO PAY CIVIL PENALTIES FOR FAILING TO REPORT DRAWSTRINGS IN CHILDREN'S OUTERWEAR
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced April 7 that 14 firms agreed to pay $1,055,000 in civil penalties for failing to report drawstrings in the hoods of children's upper outerwear. (Rebecca Mond)
Product Showcase:
STR Apparel & Footwear Testing
Substantiating the quality, safety and responsible sourcing of apparel and footwear. STR delivers comprehensive services for the apparel & footwear industry including physical, chemical, biomechanical and field testing, flammability, fiber content, colorfastness, dimensional stability, strength, performance, construction, aging, care label verification, and fiber identification and analysis. Our responsible sourcing audits and training services are internationally recognized and offer a thorough and objective analysis of labor conditions at factories. Starting right at the source, we work with our clients to secure quality, conformity and social responsibility of products at every stage of manufacture. More info
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BUSINESS COMMUNITY URGES OBAMA TO RESOLVE MEXICO TRUCK ISSUE
AAFA joined 140 other companies and organizations representing a broad swath of the US business and agricultural community in sending an April 7 letter urging President Barack Obama to quickly resolve the ongoing Mexico trucking dispute. Congress ended a pilot program that allowed a limited number of Mexican trucks, after meeting rigorous safety standards, to enter the United States. With the termination of the pilot program, a program required under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Mexico immediately retaliated by imposing punitive duties on Mexican imports of $2.4 billion worth of US products, including some fibers.
(Kurt Courtney)
USDA PROPOSES RAISING COTTON FEE
The US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has proposed raising the cotton fee on US cotton and cotton apparel imports to fund AMS' Cotton Research and Promotion Program. Comments on the proposed fee increase are due May 11. (Nate Herman)
 Lectra, the #1 technology provider to the fashion industry offers complete, integrated solutions that automate, streamline, and accelerate product design, development, and manufacturing. Lectra Fashion PLM allows you to truly manage your collection and product lifecycles. Sharing an integrated fashion platform, the Kaledo suite simplifies the design development process while encouraging creativity. www.lectra.com
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RETAIL SALES SLIDE IN FEBRUARY
According to the US Census Bureau's April 14 release of March Advance Monthly Sales, seasonally adjusted retail sales at US clothing and clothing accessories stores, including shoe stores, followed a month-on-month increase of 2.8 percent in February with a drop of 1.8 percent in March. Those sales were 5.1 percent lower than in March 2008. March seasonally adjusted retail sales at US department stores decreased 0.3 percent from the previous month and were 5.5 percent lower than in March 2008. Seasonally adjusted retail sales at all US general merchandise stores (which includes discount stores like Kohl's, Target and Wal-Mart as well as regular department stores) edged down 0.2 percent in March but were 1.3 percent higher than in March 2008. Overall retail sales fell an unexpected 1.1 percent in March from the previous month and were 9.4 percent below March 2008 sales. (Nate Herman)
 The law firm of Steptoe & Johnson LLP invites you to subscribe to our free newsletters: Customs Law Advisory, Apparel Industry Alert, and Upcoming Events. These periodic newsletters provide legal insight that may be crucial to your business. Subscribe today
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US APPAREL AND FOOTWEAR IMPORTS DOWN MARKEDLY DURING JAN-FEB
US apparel imports (actual data) declined 10.9 percent to 3.2 billion square meter equivalents (SME) in quantity terms and 11.4 percent to $10.2 billion in value terms during January-February 2009, compared to January-February 2008, while US footwear imports (actual data) slid 9.1 percent to 399.0 million pairs in quantity terms and 2.2 percent to $3.2 billion in terms of value. For a more detailed summary of the trade numbers, please go to AAFA's website. (Nate Herman)
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LT APPAREL GROUP JOINS AAFA
LT Apparel Group, a family owned company since 1958, is a leading children's apparel importer. The LT Apparel Group Collection encompasses in-house brands, including Cotler, French Toast Baby, French Toast Fashion, Healthtex, Rim Rocka, Secret Crush and several key licensed brands, including Adidas, Lee School, Pelle Pelle and School Uniform brands @School, French Toast Official School wear, U2 Uniforms and University Club.
FEDEX RANKED AMONT TOP TEN ON FORTUNE'S LIST
 This year FedEx has ranked #7 on FORTUNE magazine’s list of the U.S. and World’s Most Admired Companies. AAFA members are offered special savings on select FedEx® services via the AAFA Freight Savings Plan.* FORTUNE magazine also recognized FedEx as being first in eight of nine transportation industry category rankings: quality of products/services; innovation; financial soundness; long-term investment; global competitiveness; people management; use of corporate assets; quality of management. In the ‘Delivery’ sector, FedEx ranked #1 with an overall score of 7.56, ahead of UPS with an overall score of 7.39. To learn more about how you can save on select FedEx services, call Siriani & Associates at 800.554.0005 or e-mail.
* For eligible FedEx services and rates, contact your freight savings program provider, Siriani & Associates. All FedEx® shipments are subject to the applicable FedEx Service Guide. FedEx service marks used by permission.
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Editorial: Getting the Lead Out
from The Las Vegas Review-Journal
Congress is far too busy creating all-new disasters to worry about one of the biggest ones left over from 2008. If lawmakers are serious about stopping further damage to the economy, however, they'll act quickly to clean up a lead-testing law that already is poisoning a number of industries with fatal amounts of regulation and uncertainty. More
Topic A: Card Check
from The Washington Post
When Sens. Arlen Specter and Blanche Lincoln announced their opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act, some forecast the end of labor reform. The Washington Post asked lawmakers, labor leaders and others what's likely to happen. More
U.S. Captain’s Rescue Raises Stakes in Piracy Ops
from The Associated Press
The killing of three Somali pirates in the dramatic U.S. Navy rescue of a cargo ship captain has sparked concern for other hostages and fears that the stakes have been raised for future hijackings in the busy Indian Ocean shipping lane. More
Hot Contest Over Card Check Continues
from Politico
Legislators counting on poll numbers to help them make up their minds on the Employee Free Choice Act might find themselves banging their heads against the wall instead. More
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7701 Las Colinas Blvd., Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063
American Apparel & Footwear Association
1601 N. Kent St., Ste. 1200, Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: 703-524-1864 Fax: 703-522-6741 www.apparelandfootwear.org
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