82 FR 51401 - Request for Public Comment on a Commercial Availability Request Under the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement

COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 213 (November 6, 2017)

Page Range		51401-51402
FR Document		2017-24089

The Government of the United States received a request from the Government of Morocco on October 10, 2017, on behalf of MODALINE HOLDING to initiate consultations under Article 4.3.3 of the USMFTA. The Government of Morocco is requesting that the United States and Morocco (``the Parties'') consider revising the rules of origin for certain pants, skirts, and jackets to address availability of supply of certain woven fabrics in the territories of the Parties. The President of the United States may proclaim a modification to the USMFTA rules of origin for textile and apparel products after the United States reaches an agreement with the Government of Morocco on a modification under Article 4.3.6 of the USMFTA to address issues of availability of supply of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the territories of the Parties. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether certain woven fabrics can be supplied by the U.S. domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 213 (Monday, November 6, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 213 (Monday, November 6, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51401-51402]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24089]


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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


Request for Public Comment on a Commercial Availability Request 
Under the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement

AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).

ACTION: Request for public comments concerning a request for 
modification of the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (USMFTA) rules of 
origin for certain pants, skirts, and jackets made from certain woven 
fabrics.

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SUMMARY: The Government of the United States received a request from 
the Government of Morocco on October 10, 2017, on behalf of MODALINE 
HOLDING to initiate consultations under Article 4.3.3 of the USMFTA. 
The Government of Morocco is requesting that the United States and 
Morocco (``the Parties'') consider revising the rules of origin for 
certain pants, skirts, and jackets to address availability of supply of 
certain woven fabrics in the territories of the Parties. The President 
of the United States may proclaim a modification to the USMFTA rules of 
origin for textile and apparel products after the United States reaches 
an agreement with the Government of Morocco on a modification under 
Article 4.3.6 of the USMFTA to address issues of availability of supply 
of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the territories of the Parties. CITA 
hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with 
regard to whether certain woven fabrics can be supplied by the U.S. 
domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner.

DATES: Comments must be submitted by January 5, 2018 to the Chairman, 
Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 30003, 
United States Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria D'Andrea-Yothers, Office of 
Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-1550.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Authority: Section 203 (j)(2)(B)(i) of the United States-Morocco 
Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 3805 note) (USMFTA 
Implementation Act); Executive Order 11651 of March 3, 1972, as 
amended.
    Background: Article 4.3.3 of the USMFTA provides that, on the 
request of either Party, the Parties shall consult to consider whether 
the rules of origin applicable to a particular textile or

[[Page 51402]]

apparel good should be revised to address issues of availability of 
supply of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the territories of the Parties. 
In the consultations, pursuant to Article 4.3.4 of the USMFTA, each 
Party shall consider data presented by the other Party that demonstrate 
substantial production in its territory of a particular fiber, yarn, or 
fabric. The Parties shall consider that there is substantial production 
if a Party demonstrates that its domestic producers are capable of 
supplying commercial quantities of the fiber, yarn, or fabric in a 
timely manner. The USMFTA Implementation Act provides the President 
with the authority to proclaim as part of the HTSUS, modifications to 
the USMFTA rules of origin set out in Annex 4-A of the USMFTA as are 
necessary to implement an agreement with Morocco under Article 4.3.6 of 
the USMFTA, subject to the consultation and layover requirements of 
Section 104 of the USMFTA Implementation Act. See Section 
203(j)(2)(B)(i) of the USMFTA Implementation Act. Executive Order 11651 
established CITA to supervise the implementation of textile trade 
agreements and authorizes the Chairman of CITA to take actions or 
recommend that appropriate officials or agencies of the United States 
take actions necessary to implement textile trade agreements. 37 FR 
4699 (March 4, 1972).
    The Government of the United States received a request from the 
Government of Morocco on October 10, 2017, on behalf of MODALINE 
HOLDING, requesting that the United States consider whether the USMFTA 
rule of origin for pants classified in HTSUS 6204.61.8010; skirts 
classified in HTSUS 6204.51.0010; and jackets classified in HTSUS 
6204.31.2010 should be modified to allow the use of 83-94% wool/4%-15% 
nylon/1%-7% spandex woven fabric classified in subheading 5112.19 and 
5112.20 of the HTSUS that is not originating under the USMFTA.
    CITA is soliciting public comments regarding this request, 
particularly with respect to whether the fabrics described above can be 
supplied by the U.S. domestic industry in commercial quantities in a 
timely manner. Comments must be received no later than January 5, 2018. 
Interested persons are invited to submit such comments or information 
electronically to [email protected], and/or in hard copy to: 
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 
30003, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20230.
    If comments include business confidential information, commenters 
must submit a business confidential version in hard copy to the 
Chairman of CITA, and also provide a public version, either in hard 
copy or electronically. CITA will protect any information that is 
marked business confidential from disclosure to the full extent 
permitted by law. All public versions of the comments will be posted on 
OTEXA's Web site for Commercial Availability proceedings under the 
Morocco FTA: http://otexa.trade.gov/Morocco_CA.htm.

Terry Labat,
Acting Chair, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc. 2017-24089 Filed 11-3-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 213 / Monday, November 6, 2017 / Notices 51401

6005.39, 6006.31, 6006.32, 6006.33, and Fabric 1: Knit fleece fabric of acrylic COMMITTEE FOR THE
6006.34 of the HTSUS; and (67–73%) and viscose (27–33%), IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE
Fabric 13: Knit fabric of synthetic weighing 200–280 g/m2, classified in AGREEMENTS
fiber (90–99%) and elastomeric (1– subheading 6001.22 of the HTSUS;
10%), classified in subheadings Request for Public Comment on a
Fabric 2: Dyed knit fabric of nylon Commercial Availability Request Under
6004.10, 6005.37, 6005.38, 6005.39,
(52–58%), wool (27–33%), and acrylic the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade
6006.32, 6006.33, and 6006.34 of the
(12–18%), classified in subheading Agreement
HTSUS.
6006.32 of the HTSUS;
Knit shirts; blouses; singlets; tank tops AGENCY: Committee for the
and similar garments; pullovers; Fabric 3: Dyed knit fabric of nylon
Implementation of Textile Agreements
sweatshirts; waistcoats (vests) and (42–48%), viscose (37–43%), and wool (CITA).
similar articles; tops; dresses; skirts; and (12–18%), classified in subheading
ACTION: Request for public comments
divided skirts classified in headings 6006.32 of the HTSUS; concerning a request for modification of
6104, 6105, 6106, 6109, 6110, and 6114 Fabric 4: Dyed knit fabric of nylon the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement
of the HTSUS: (41–47%), wool (18–24%), acrylic (18– (USMFTA) rules of origin for certain
Fabric 19: Slub jersey fabric, other 24%), and mohair (11–17%), classified pants, skirts, and jackets made from
than warp knit, of rayon (92–98%), in subheading 6006.32 of the HTSUS; certain woven fabrics.
polyester (2–3%), and elastomeric (2– and
5%), weighing 150–200 g/m2, classified SUMMARY: The Government of the
in subheadings 6004.10 and 6006.42 of Fabric 6: Dyed knit fabric of polyester United States received a request from
the HTSUS. (57–63%), wool (27–33%), and nylon the Government of Morocco on October
Upper body garments classified in (7–13%), classified in subheading 10, 2017, on behalf of MODALINE
headings 6105, 6106, 6109, and 6110 of 6006.32 of the HTSUS. HOLDING to initiate consultations
the HTSUS: CITA is soliciting public comments under Article 4.3.3 of the USMFTA. The
Fabric 17: Knit fabric of cotton (51– regarding this request, particularly with Government of Morocco is requesting
70%), rayon (33–49%), and elastomeric respect to whether the fabrics described that the United States and Morocco
(2–7%), weighing up to 275 g/m2, above can be supplied by the U.S. (‘‘the Parties’’) consider revising the
classified in subheadings 6004.10, domestic industry in commercial rules of origin for certain pants, skirts,
6006.21, 6006.22, and 6006.24 of the quantities in a timely manner. and jackets to address availability of
HTSUS. supply of certain woven fabrics in the
Comments must be received no later
Upper body garments classified in territories of the Parties. The President
than January 5, 2018. Interested persons
headings 6105, 6106, 6109, 6110, and of the United States may proclaim a
are invited to submit such comments or modification to the USMFTA rules of
6114 of the HTSUS:
information electronically to OTEXA_ origin for textile and apparel products
Fabric 14: Knit jersey fabric, other
MoroccoFTA@trade.gov, and/or in hard after the United States reaches an
than warp knit, of lyocell (44–50%),
copy to: Chairman, Committee for the agreement with the Government of
rayon (44–50%), and elastomeric (3–
9%), weighing 150–220 g/m2, classified Implementation of Textile Agreements, Morocco on a modification under
in subheadings 6004.10 and 6006.42 of Room 30003, U.S. Department of Article 4.3.6 of the USMFTA to address
the HTSUS; Commerce, 14th and Constitution issues of availability of supply of fibers,
Fabric 15: Slub jersey fabric of cotton Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. yarns, or fabrics in the territories of the
(51–65%) and rayon (35–49%), If comments include business Parties. CITA hereby solicits public
weighing 120–225 g/m2, classified in confidential information, commenters comments on this request, in particular
subheading 6006.22 of the HTSUS; must submit a business confidential with regard to whether certain woven
Fabric 16: Knit jersey fabric, other version in hard copy to the Chairman of fabrics can be supplied by the U.S.
than warp knit, of rayon (30–36%), CITA, and also provide a public version, domestic industry in commercial
acrylic (19–35%), polyester (27–33%), either in hard copy or electronically. quantities in a timely manner.
and elastomeric (3–8%), weighing 125– CITA will protect any information that DATES: Comments must be submitted by
250 g/m2, classified in subheadings is marked business confidential from January 5, 2018 to the Chairman,
6004.10 and 6006.32 of the HTSUS; and disclosure to the full extent permitted Committee for the Implementation of
Fabric 18: Knit jersey fabric, other by law. All public versions of the Textile Agreements, Room 30003,
than warp knit, of polyester (43–46%), comments will be posted on OTEXA’s United States Department of Commerce,
rayon (43–45%), flax (5–9%), and Washington, DC 20230.
Web site for Commercial Availability
elastomeric (4–5%), weighing 125–250 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
proceedings under the Morocco FTA:
g/m2, classified in subheadings 6004.10 Maria D’Andrea-Yothers, Office of
http://otexa.trade.gov/Morocco_CA.htm.
and 6006.32 of the HTSUS. Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department
Sweaters, pullovers, sweatshirts, Terry Labat, of Commerce, (202) 482–1550.
waistcoats (vests) and similar articles, Acting Chair, Committee for the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
classified in heading 6110 of the Implementation of Textile Agreements. Authority: Section 203 (j)(2)(B)(i) of
HTSUS: [FR Doc. 2017–24088 Filed 11–3–17; 8:45 am] the United States-Morocco Free Trade
Fabric 5: Dyed knit fabric of cotton Agreement Implementation Act (19
BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P
Pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES

(50–56%), acrylic (34–40%), and U.S.C. 3805 note) (USMFTA
polyester (7–13%), classified in Implementation Act); Executive Order
subheadings 6006.22 and 6006.32 of the 11651 of March 3, 1972, as amended.
HTSUS. Background: Article 4.3.3 of the
Sweaters, pullovers, sweatshirts, USMFTA provides that, on the request
waistcoats (vests) and similar articles, of either Party, the Parties shall consult
classified in subheading 6110.30 of the to consider whether the rules of origin
HTSUS: applicable to a particular textile or

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51402 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 213 / Monday, November 6, 2017 / Notices

apparel good should be revised to If comments include business Inspectors General on Integrity and
address issues of availability of supply confidential information, commenters Efficiency, 1717 H Street NW., Suite
of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the must submit a business confidential 825, Washington, DC 20006.
territories of the Parties. In the version in hard copy to the Chairman of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
consultations, pursuant to Article 4.3.4 CITA, and also provide a public version, Atticus J. Reaser, General Counsel,
of the USMFTA, each Party shall either in hard copy or electronically. CIGIE, (202) 292–2600.
consider data presented by the other CITA will protect any information that SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2008,
Party that demonstrate substantial is marked business confidential from Congress established CIGIE as an
production in its territory of a particular disclosure to the full extent permitted independent entity within the executive
fiber, yarn, or fabric. The Parties shall by law. All public versions of the branch in order to address integrity,
consider that there is substantial comments will be posted on OTEXA’s economy, and effectiveness issues that
production if a Party demonstrates that Web site for Commercial Availability transcend individual Government
its domestic producers are capable of proceedings under the Morocco FTA: agencies; and increase the
supplying commercial quantities of the http://otexa.trade.gov/Morocco_CA.htm. professionalism and effectiveness of
fiber, yarn, or fabric in a timely manner. personnel by developing policies,
The USMFTA Implementation Act Terry Labat,
standards, and approaches to aid in the
provides the President with the Acting Chair, Committee for the
Implementation of Textile Agreements. establishment of a well-trained and
authority to proclaim as part of the highly skilled workforce in the offices of
HTSUS, modifications to the USMFTA [FR Doc. 2017–24089 Filed 11–3–17; 8:45 am]
the Inspector General. CIGIE’s
rules of origin set out in Annex 4–A of BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P
membership is comprised of all
the USMFTA as are necessary to Inspectors General whose offices are
implement an agreement with Morocco established under the Inspector General
under Article 4.3.6 of the USMFTA, COUNCIL OF THE INSPECTORS Act of 1978, as amended, 5 U.S.C. app,
subject to the consultation and layover GENERAL ON INTEGRITY AND as well as the Controller of the Office of
requirements of Section 104 of the EFFICIENCY Federal Financial Management, a
USMFTA Implementation Act. See designated official of the Federal Bureau
Section 203(j)(2)(B)(i) of the USMFTA Privacy Act of 1974; System of
of Investigation, the Director of the
Implementation Act. Executive Order Records
Office of Government Ethics, the Special
11651 established CITA to supervise the AGENCY: Council of the Inspectors Counsel of the Office of Special
implementation of textile trade General on Integrity and Efficiency. Counsel, the Deputy Director of the
agreements and authorizes the Office of Personnel Management, the
ACTION: Notice of a new system of
Chairman of CITA to take actions or Deputy Director for Management of the
recommend that appropriate officials or records.
Office of Management and Budget
agencies of the United States take SUMMARY: The Council of the Inspectors (OMB), and the Inspectors General of
actions necessary to implement textile General on Integrity and Efficiency the Office of the Director of National
trade agreements. 37 FR 4699 (March 4, (CIGIE) proposes to establish a system of Intelligence, Central Intelligence
1972). records that is subject to the Privacy Act Agency, Library of Congress, Capitol
The Government of the United States of 1974. Specifically, the Police, Government Publishing Office,
received a request from the Government Correspondence Tracking system of
of Morocco on October 10, 2017, on Government Accountability Office, and
records will enable CIGIE to more the Architect of the Capitol. The Deputy
behalf of MODALINE HOLDING, efficiently track correspondence
requesting that the United States Director for Management of OMB serves
received from and sent to entities and as the Executive Chairperson of CIGIE.
consider whether the USMFTA rule of individuals, both within and external to The new system of records described
origin for pants classified in HTSUS the Federal government. CIGIE also in this notice, CIGIE—1—
6204.61.8010; skirts classified in
proposes to establish routine uses for Correspondence Tracking, will enable
HTSUS 6204.51.0010; and jackets
the proposed system of records. In this CIGIE to more efficiently track
classified in HTSUS 6204.31.2010
notice, CIGIE provides the required correspondence received from and sent
should be modified to allow the use of
information on the system of records to entities and individuals, both within
83–94% wool/4%–15% nylon/1%–7%
and routine uses for such system. and external to the Federal government.
spandex woven fabric classified in
subheading 5112.19 and 5112.20 of the DATES: This action will be effective In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(r),
HTSUS that is not originating under the without further notice on December 6, CIGIE has provided a report of this new
USMFTA. 2017 unless comments are received that system of records to OMB and to
CITA is soliciting public comments would result in a contrary Congress. The new system of records
regarding this request, particularly with determination. reads as follows:
respect to whether the fabrics described ADDRESSES: You may submit comments SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER
above can be supplied by the U.S. by any of the following methods:
Correspondence Tracking—CIGIE–1.
domestic industry in commercial • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
quantities in a timely manner. www.regulations.gov. Follow the SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
Comments must be received no later instructions for submitting comments. None.
than January 5, 2018. Interested persons • Email: comments@CIGIE.gov.
Pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES

are invited to submit such comments or • Fax: (202) 254–0162. SYSTEM LOCATIONS:
information electronically to OTEXA_ • Mail: Atticus J. Reaser, General The principal location of paper
MoroccoFTA@trade.gov, and/or in hard Counsel, Council of the Inspectors records contained within the system is
copy to: Chairman, Committee for the General on Integrity and Efficiency, the headquarters of the Council of the
Implementation of Textile Agreements, 1717 H Street NW., Suite 825, Inspectors General on Integrity and
Room 30003, U.S. Department of Washington, DC 20006. Efficiency (CIGIE), 1717 H Street NW.,
Commerce, 14th and Constitution • Hand Delivery/Courier: Atticus J. Suite 825, Washington, DC 20006. Paper
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. Reaser, General Counsel, Council of the records within the system may also be

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Document Created: 2017-11-07 10:30:50
Document Modified: 2017-11-07 10:30:50

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Request for public comments concerning a request for modification of the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (USMFTA) rules of origin for certain pants, skirts, and jackets made from certain woven fabrics.
Dates		Comments must be submitted by January 5, 2018 to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 30003, United States Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.
Contact		Maria D'Andrea-Yothers, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-1550.
FR Citation		82 FR 51401