United States International Trade Commission

Investigation No. FTA-103-025

USITC Publication 4173

July 2010

Certain Combed 

Cotton Yarns: 

Effect of 

Modification of 

U.S. Bahrain FTA 

Rules of Origin 
Address all communications to 

Secretary to the Commission 

United States International Trade Commission 

Washington, DC 20436

U.S. International Trade Commission

Robert B. Koopman

Acting Director of Operations

Karen Laney

Director, Office of Industries

COMMISSIONERS 

 

Deanna Tanner Okun, Chairman 

Charlotte R. Lane 

Daniel R. Pearson 

Shara L. Aranoff 

Irving A. Williamson 

Dean A. Pinkert
U.S. International Trade Commission

Washington, DC 20436 

www.usitc.gov

Publication 4173 July 2010

Certain Combed Cotton Yarns: 

Effect of Modification of 

U.S. Bahrain FTA Rules of Origin 

Investigation No. FTA-103-025
This report was prepared principally by the Office of Industries 

Co-project Leaders 

Heidi Colby-Oizumi (heidi.colby@usitc.gov) 

Kimberlie Freund (kimberlie.freund@usitc.gov) 

Principal Authors 

Heidi Colby-Oizumi, Kimberlie Freund, and Shannon Gaffney 

Office of Economics 

Walker Pollard 

Primary Reviewers 

Deborah McNay and Jan Summers 

Special Assistance 

Brenda Carroll and Peg Hausman 

Under the direction of 

Dennis Rapkins, Chief, Chemicals and Textiles 
i 

CONTENTS 

Page

Executive Summary................................................................................................... iii 

Glossary................................................................................................................................... v 

Chapter 1. Introduction......................................................................................... 1-1 

Chapter 2. Certain Combed, Compacted, Single, RingSpun Cotton Yarns Used in Certain Home Furnishings... 2-1 

 Summary of findings............................................................................................................. 2-1 

 Description of the affected articles ....................................................................................... 2-1 

 Certain combed, compacted, single, ring-spun cotton yarns ............................................ 2-2 

 Certain home furnishings.................................................................................................. 2-2 

 Explanation of existing rules of origin and proposed modifications .................................... 2-2 

 U.S. trade, industry, and market conditions for the affected articles .................................... 2-3 

 Certain combed, compacted, single, ring-spun cotton yarns ............................................ 2-3 

 Certain home furnishings.................................................................................................. 2-4 

 Probable effect of the proposed modifications on U.S. trade under the U.S.-Bahrain 

 FTA, on total U.S. trade, and on domestic producers of the affected articles ................. 2-6 

Chapter 3. Summary of Positions of Interested Parties..... 3-1

 National Council of Textile Organizations ........................................................................... 3-1 

 WestPoint Home, Inc............................................................................................................ 3-2 

 

Bibliography....................................................................................................................... Bibl-1

Appendices 

A. Request letter from the U.S. Trade Representative .................................................................... A-1 

B. Federal Register Notice ............................................................................................................. B-1 

C. Chapter 63 of General Note 30 of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.................................. C-1 

Tables 

E.1. Summary of advice concerning the proposed modifications to the U.S.-Bahrain FTA 

 rules of origin for certain home furnishings containing certain combed cotton yarns ....... iv 

2.1. Certain home furnishing articles subject to the proposed modifications .................................. 2-3 

iii 

Executive Summary 

This report provides advice on the probable effect of proposed modifications to the U.S.-

Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA) rules of origin for certain textile articles on U.S. 

trade under the U.S.-Bahrain FTA, on total U.S. trade, and on domestic producers of the 

affected articles. 

 

According to the request letter from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to the 

U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission), the proposed changes are the result 

of determinations that U.S. and Bahraini producers are not able to produce certain 

combed, compacted, single, ring-spun cotton yarns used in the manufacture of certain 

home furnishings in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Table 1 provides a short 

description of the subject textile articles covered by this investigation and their uses; a 

summary of advice regarding the proposed modifications to the U.S.-Bahrain FTA rules 

of origin for the subject textile articles; and advice concerning any likely changes in U.S.-

Bahrain FTA trade, total U.S. trade, and domestic production. 

During this investigation, Commission staff obtained U.S. government production and 

trade data, and contacted domestic firms and U.S. importers to collect the necessary 

information to develop the probable effects advice. Commission staff relied on 

information from these sources in determining whether domestic or Bahraini production 

of certain combed, compacted, single, ring-spun cotton yarns exists. The Commission 

found no evidence of production of the subject compacted yarns in the United States or 

Bahrain. Although industry sources stated that there is U.S. production of substitutable 

yarns, ***. 
iv 

TABLE E.1. Summary of advice concerning proposed modifications to the U.S.-Bahrain FTA rules of origin for certain home 

furnishings containing certain combed cotton yarns 

Product Nature of modification Probable effect advice 

Change in total U.S. trade Change in U.S. trade of 

of certain home furnishings: certain home furnishings 

 under U.S.-Bahrain FTA:

Imports: Little or no effect Imports: Large increase 

Exports: Little or no effect Exports: Little or no effect 

Change in U.S. production of certain home furnishings: None 

The proposed changes to the rules of origin would likely result in a 

large increase in U.S. imports of the subject home furnishings 

under the U.S.-Bahrain FTA, but have little or no measurable effect 

on total U.S. imports, as current imports from Bahrain of the 

selected home furnishings are very small; thus, the increase in 

imports would occur from a very small base. In addition, any 

increase in U.S. imports from Bahrain would likely displace some 

U.S. imports from other countries. There are no known U.S. 

producers of the subject home furnishings; therefore, there would 

be no effect on U.S. producers. 

Product name: 

Cotton pillowcases, other 

than bolster cases; cotton 

sheets; cotton bed skirts; 

cotton shams and finished 

throw pillow covers; cotton 

pillow shells; and cotton 

shells for quilts, eiderdowns, 

comforters, and similar 

articles containing certain 

combed, compacted, single, 

ring-spun cotton yarns. 

Description: 

The home furnishings 

products are primarily cotton 

sheets, pillowcases, and 

other bedding products 

containing certain combed, 

compacted, single, ring-spun 

cotton yarns. 

The subject yarns are single 

yarns, measuring greater than 

102 metric (60 or finer by the 

English cotton count system). 

The yarns contain 85 percent 

or more by weight of cotton, 

and the cotton fibers are 

combed before spinning. The 

subject yarns are produced 

using a compact ring spinning 

process. 

HTS subheadings: 

6302.21.90, 6302.31.50, 

6302.31.90, 6303.91.00, 

6304.92.00, and 6307.90.89. 

The current U.S.- 

Bahrain FTA rules of 

origin specify that the 

subject compacted 

yarns must be made 

in the United States 

or Bahrain in order 

for the home 

furnishing products to 

be considered 

originating and thus 

qualify for U.S.-

Bahrain FTA 

preferences. 

The proposed rule 

changes are 

liberalizing because 

they would allow 

certain home 

furnishings containing 

the subject 

compacted yarns 

formed outside an 

FTA party to be 

considered 

originating goods for 

U.S.-Bahrain FTA 

purposes. 

Change in total U.S. trade Change in U.S. trade of 

of certain combed cotton certain combed cotton yarns 

yarns: under U.S.-Bahrain FTA: 

Imports: Little or no effect Imports: Little or no effect 

Exports: Little or no effect Exports: Little or no effect 

Change in U.S. production of certain combed cotton yarns: None 

As there is no known U.S. production of the subject combed, 

compacted, single, ring-spun cotton yarns, the proposed changes 

to the rules of origin would likely have no effect on U.S. producers 

of combed cotton yarns and no effect on U.S. exports of such 

yarns under the U.S.-Bahrain FTA and on total U.S. trade. There is 

U.S. production of conventional ring-spun yarns of the same 

fineness as the subject compacted yarns. Although U.S. industry 

stated that these conventional yarns are substitutable with the 

subject compacted yarns for use in certain home furnishings, ***. 
v 

Glossary 

Bolster—A long, narrow throw pillow. Bolster pillows are usually placed at the head or foot of a bed and 

are used as a back support or decorative piece. 

Carding—Carding involves opening, cleaning, and aligning the staple fibers, and then forming them into 

a continuous, untwisted strand, known as a sliver. When carded fibers are spun into yarns, they are known 

as carded yarns. 

Combing—Combing is an extra step that takes place after carding in which existing short fibers are 

removed and the remaining fibers are further aligned. The combing process produces stronger, more 

compact, finer, and smoother yarns than carding. When carded fibers are further processed by combing 

and then spun into yarns, they are known as combed yarns. 

Compacted yarns—Yarns produced on compact spinning frames, which use air suction and compaction 

to condense the fibers, causing them to lie closer together and parallel with each other, resulting in 

smooth, tight yarns that have less air between the fibers. 

Decitex—One-tenth of a tex, which is a unit expressing a textile strand’s linear density. A tex is equal to 

the weight in grams of 1 kilometer of yarn, filament, fiber, or any other textile strand. 

Eiderdown—A soft quilt (two layers of cloth filled with stuffing and stitched together) traditionally filled 

with the down of the eider duck.

English cotton count—A yarn numbering system based on length and weight and equal to the number of 

840-yard units of yarn needed to make up 1 pound in weight. The higher the number, the finer the yarn. 

Hand—The tactile qualities of the fabric, such as softness, firmness, elasticity, and other qualities 

perceived by touch. 

Metric count—A measure indicating the number of kilometers of yarn per kilogram. The higher the 

number, the finer the yarn. 

Napping—A finishing process that raises the surface fibers of a fabric passing it over rapidly revolving 

cylinders covered with metal points or teasel burrs. Napping is used to create a raised or fuzzy surface. 

Pillow sham—A pillow sham covers a pillow, but differs from a pillowcase in that most have a 

decorative flange around all four sides and an opening in the middle of the back side. Its purpose is 

decorative. 

Piping—Piping is a type of trim or embellishment consisting of a tube of ornamental fabric around the 

edge of a garment or textile work, sometimes containing a cord. 

Ring spinning—A method of spinning yarn that uses a ring-spinning frame in which a roving yarn is 

drafted and twisted using a traveler to form a single yarn. 

Single yarn—Yarns consisting of a single strand of fibers twisted together (as opposed to a plied yarn, 

which is made up of two or more single yarns twisted together). 

Sliver—A loose rope of untwisted fibers.
vi

Spun yarn—Yarns made from staple fibers (as opposed to filament fibers). 

Woven fabric—Fabric composed of two sets of yarns: warp yarns that run the length of the fabric, and 

filling yarns that run across the warp. The two sets of yarns are interlaced with each other at right angles 

to form woven fabric. 

Sources: Celanese Corporation, Man-Made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1974; Hoechst Celanese, 

Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology, 1990; and industry sources.
1-1 

CHAPTER 1 

Introduction 

Following receipt of a request on February 12, 2010, from the U.S. Trade Representative 

(USTR), the U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission) instituted investigation 

No. Bahrain FTA-103-025, Certain Combed Cotton Yarns: Effect of Modification of 

U.S.-Bahrain FTA Rules of Origin. 1 As noted in the USTR’s request letter, U.S. 

negotiators have reached an agreement in principle with representatives of the 

Government of Bahrain concerning the proposed modifications to the U.S.-Bahrain FTA 

rules of origin for certain home furnishings containing certain combed, compacted, 

single, ring-spun cotton yarns.2

 As further noted in the letter, the proposed changes to the 

rules of origin are the result of determinations that U.S. and Bahraini producers are not 

able to produce certain combed, compacted, single, ring-spun cotton yarns in commercial 

quantities in a timely manner. 

 

As requested by the USTR, the Commission is providing advice on the probable effect of 

proposed modifications to the U.S-Bahrain FTA rules of origin for the subject textile 

articles on U.S. trade under the U.S.-Bahrain FTA, on total U.S. trade, and on domestic 

producers of the affected articles. The Commission did not hold a public hearing in 

connection with this investigation, but invited written submissions from interested 

parties. The data and analysis presented herein draw on these submissions, as well as 

information collected by the Commission from publicly available sources and telephone 

interviews with industry representatives. 

 

The Commission’s report is organized as follows: Chapter 2 contains the advice and 

related information for the subject compacted yarns (subheadings 5205.27 and 5205.28 of 

the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS)) 3 and certain home 

furnishings (covering cotton pillowcases, other than bolster cases; cotton sheets; cotton 

bed skirts; cotton shams and finished throw pillow covers; cotton pillow shells; and 

cotton shells for quilts, eiderdowns, comforters, and similar articles, classified in HTS 

subheadings 6302.21.90, 6302.31.50, 6302.31.90, 6303.91.00, 6304.92.00, and 

6307.90.89). Chapter 3 contains the views of interested parties concerning the 

investigation. Appendix A contains the request letter from the USTR and the attachment 

containing the specific product descriptions. Appendix B contains the Commission’s 

notice of institution of investigation and request for public comments. Appendix C 

contains the current rules of origin for the selected home furnishings under the U.S.-

Bahrain FTA. 

 1

 Section 202(j) of the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (the Act) 

authorizes the President, subject to the consultation and layover requirements of section 104 of the Act, to 

proclaim such modifications to the rules of origin as are necessary to implement an agreement pursuant to 

Article 3.2.5 of the FTA. One of the requirements set out in section 104 of the Act is that the President obtain 

advice from the Commission. 2

 See the USTR request letter in appendix A. 

3 The subject yarns are imported under HTS statistical reporting numbers 5205.27.0020 and 

5205.28.0020, which cover single, ring-spun yarns of combed fibers, containing 85 percent or more by 

weight of cotton and measuring less than 106.38 decitex.

2-1 

CHAPTER 2 

Certain Combed, Compacted, Single, RingSpun Cotton Yarns Used in Certain Home 

Furnishings 

Summary of Findings 

The Commission’s analysis indicates that the proposed modifications of the U.S.-Bahrain 

FTA rules of origin for certain home furnishings containing certain combed, compacted, 

single, ring-spun cotton yarns could have a large effect on U.S. trade in the affected 

articles under the U.S.-Bahrain FTA, little or no effect on total U.S. trade in the affected 

articles, and no effect on domestic producers of the affected articles. It is possible that 

there could be a substantial increase in U.S. imports of certain home furnishings under 

the U.S.-Bahrain FTA should the rules of origin be changed. However, the increase 

would be from a very modest base, as current imports from Bahrain of certain home 

furnishings containing the subject compacted yarns are small. Further, increased imports 

of such articles from Bahrain would likely displace some U.S. imports from other 

suppliers, such as China and India. There would therefore be little or no effect on total 

U.S. trade. The Commission found no domestic production of certain home furnishings 

made with the subject compacted yarns or substitutable yarns; therefore, there would be 

no effect on U.S. producers of such articles. 

 

The Commission’s analysis also indicates that the proposed modifications to the U.S.-

Bahrain FTA rules of origin would likely have no effect on U.S. producers of cotton 

yarns. There is no known production of the subject combed, compacted, single, ring-spun 

cotton yarns in the United States. Further, even though the U.S. industry stated that 

domestically produced conventional combed, single, ring-spun cotton yarns are 

substitutable with the subject compacted yarns, ***. Therefore, regardless of whether the 

conventional ring-spun yarns are substitutable with the compacted yarns, the proposed 

modifications to the rules of origin would likely have no effect on U.S. producers of 

cotton yarns, exports of such yarns under the U.S.-Bahrain FTA, or total U.S. trade. 

Description of the Affected Articles 

Articles affected by the proposed modifications to the U.S.-Bahrain FTA rules of origin 

include certain combed cotton yarns classified in chapter 52 of the HTS and certain home 

furnishings classified in chapter 63 of the HTS. Specifically, the yarns are combed, 

compacted, single, ring-spun cotton yarns measuring greater than 102 metric, while the 

home furnishings affected by the proposed rules of origin changes are cotton pillowcases, 

other than bolster cases; cotton sheets; cotton bed skirts; cotton shams and finished throw 

pillow covers; cotton pillow shells; and cotton shells for quilts, eiderdowns, comforters, 

and similar articles containing the aforementioned yarns. These products are discussed in 

detail below. 
2-2 

Certain Combed, Compacted, Single, Ring-spun Cotton Yarns 

The subject compacted yarns are classified under HTS subheadings 5205.27.00 and 

5205.28.00 (statistical reporting numbers 5205.27.0020 and 5205.28.0020) and are 

subject to a normal trade relations (NTR) duty rate of 12 percent ad valorem in the United 

States and a most favored nation duty rate of 5 percent ad valorem in Bahrain.1

 The 

subject compacted yarns are single yarns, meaning that the yarns consist of a single 

strand of fibers twisted together (as opposed to plied yarns, which contain two or more 

single strands twisted together), and measure greater than 102 metric (60 by the English 

cotton count system). The yarns contain 85 percent or more by weight of cotton, and the 

cotton fibers are combed before spinning. The subject compacted yarns are ring-spun 

yarns produced using a compact ring-spinning process whereby air suction and 

compaction are used at the moment of twisting to make the fibers lie closer together and 

parallel with the yarn body. The process reportedly reduces yarn hairiness and increases 

strength and evenness. With respect to the proposed modifications to the rules of origin, 

the subject compacted yarns are to be used specifically in the production of certain home 

furnishings; however, combed, compacted, single, ring-spun yarns may also be used in 

other applications, including various knitted or woven textile and apparel products.

Certain Home Furnishings 

The subject home furnishings are cotton and cotton blend bed linens containing the 

subject compacted yarns and are classified in HTS chapter 63 (which covers made-up 

textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; and rags). Home furnishings 

are commonly made from conventional ring-spun cotton yarns, as well as the subject 

compacted yarns, but the proposed changes to the rules of origin would apply only to 

certain home furnishings using the subject compacted yarns. The 2010 U.S. NTR rates of 

duty on these finished articles range from 6.3 percent to 20.9 percent ad valorem (table 

2.1). The United States eliminated duties on originating textile and apparel articles from 

Bahrain upon the implementation of the FTA on August 1, 2006. 

Explanation of Existing Rules of Origin and Proposed 

Modifications 

Under the current rules of origin in the U.S.-Bahrain FTA contained in general note 30 of 

the HTS, the subject compacted yarns must be formed in the United States or Bahrain in 

order for home furnishings made from these yarns to be considered as originating goods 

and thus qualify for duty-free treatment under the FTA.2

 The proposed changes to the 

rules of origin would consist of the addition of a note to HTS chapter 63 to allow cotton 

pillowcases, other than bolster cases; cotton sheets; cotton bed skirts; cotton shams and 

finished throw pillow covers; cotton pillow shells; and cotton shells for quilts, 

eiderdowns, comforters, and similar articles to be made from certain combed, compacted, 

single, ring-spun cotton yarns that are formed outside of the United States or Bahrain 

(“non-originating” inputs) and still be considered originating goods and thus qualify for 

FTA preferences, including duty-free treatment. 

 1

 Kingdom of Bahrain, Ministry of Interior, Customs Affairs, Harmonised System, 

http://www.bahraincustoms.gov.bh/Customs/EN/CustLibrary/HarmonizedCodes/. 2

 The text of HTS general note 30 explaining the current rules of origin for the affected textile articles 

is contained in appendix C. 
2-3 

Table 2.1. Certain home furnishing articles subject to the proposed modificationsa 

HTS statistical 

reporting number Product description 

Current NTR 

duty rate 

(percent ad 

valorem) 

6302.21.9010 Cotton pillowcases, other than bolster cases, printed, not napped 6.7 

6302.21.9020 Cotton sheets, printed, not napped 6.7 

6302.31.5010 Cotton pillowcases, other than bolster cases, containing embroidery, 

 lace, braid, edging, trimming, piping or appliqué work, not napped 20.9 

6302.31.5020 Cotton sheets containing embroidery, lace, braid, edging, trimming, piping 

 or appliqué work, not napped 20.9 

6302.31.9010 Cotton pillowcases, other than bolster cases, not embellished, not 

 napped 

6.7 

6302.31.9020 Cotton sheets, not embellished, not napped 6.7 

6303.91.0020 Cotton bed skirts 10.3 

6304.92.0000 Cotton pillow shams and finished throw pillow covers, not knitted or 

 crocheted 

6.3 

6307.90.8945 Cotton pillow shells 7.0 

6307.90.8985 Cotton shells for quilts, eiderdowns, comforters, and other similar articles 

 (excluding sleeping bag shells), containing 85 percent or more by 

 weight of cotton 

7.0 

6307.90.8995 Cotton shells for quilts, eiderdowns, comforters, and other similar articles 

 (excluding sleeping bag shells), containing less than 85 percent by 

 weight of cotton 

7.0 

 aApplies only to home furnishing articles containing combed, compacted, single, ring-spun cotton yarns measuring 

greater than 102 metric. 

The proposed modifications to the rules of origin regarding these products is in response 

to a petition filed by the Government of Bahrain on April 1, 2009, on behalf of its textile 

industry producing home furnishings.3

U.S. Trade, Industry, and Market Conditions for the 

Affected Articles 

Certain Combed, Compacted, Single, Ring-spun Cotton Yarns 

There are currently no known producers of the subject compacted yarns in the United 

States.4

 However, representatives of the U.S. yarn industry stated that there are yarns 

produced in the United States that are substitutable for and interchangeable with the 

subject compacted yarns.5

 According to industry sources, ***.6 Further, U.S. industry 

 3

 Dr. Hassan A. Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Kingdom of Bahrain, petition to 

Honorable Ron Kirk, United States Trade Representative, April 1, 2009. 4

 Staff received information from ***, all of whom indicated that there is no production of the subject 

combed compacted cotton yarns in the United States. Industry representatives, telephone interviews by 

Commission staff, April 28, May 4, and May 10, 2010. 5

 ***, telephone interview by USITC staff, April 28, 2010; NCTO, written submission to the USITC, 

April 29, 2010, 1. 6

 ***, telephone interview by USITC staff, April 28, 2010; ***, telephone interview by USITC staff, 

May 4, 2010. 
2-4 

representatives stated that it is impossible to discern any difference in a fabric made from 

compacted yarns compared to a fabric made from conventional ring-spun yarns, 

particularly for consumers and for customs officials who would have to enforce the 

proposed rules of origin change.7

 

Currently, ***, 8 ***, makes conventional combed, single, ring-spun cotton yarns 

measuring greater than 102 metric that *** could be substituted for the subject 

compacted yarns in the selected home furnishings.9

 *** 

Representatives of the U.S. yarn industry claim that in finished products, conventional 

ring-spun yarns and compacted yarns are “indistinguishable,” and that various tests have 

confirmed that compacted yarns and conventional ring-spun yarns are comparable with 

respect to strength, hairiness, and feel.10 In addition, they explained that a variety of 

finishing processes can be performed on conventional ring-spun yarns to control 

undesirable hairiness and improve strength, for example the application of additional 

sizing. 

 

Combed, compacted, single, ring-spun cotton yarns measuring greater than 102 metric 

are not specifically provided for in the HTS; as a result, no separate import data are 

available. However, U.S. imports from all sources under statistical reporting numbers 

5205.27.0020 and 5205.28.0020 of the HTS, which cover combed, single, ring-spun 

cotton yarns (compacted and conventional) measuring greater than 94 metric, totaled 

$272,000 in 2009.11 Such imports fluctuated widely during 2004–09, and the 2009 figure 

represented a sharp decline from 2004, when imports totaled $10 million. The primary 

supplier of such yarns in 2009 was India, accounting for 51 percent of imports, followed 

by Korea, which accounted for 26 percent of imports. 

 

Data on U.S. exports of the subject compacted yarns are likewise not available. However, 

data on the broader category—exports of combed, single, cotton yarns measuring greater 

than 94 metric12—show that such exports also fluctuated widely during 2004–09. U.S. 

exports totaled approximately $629,000 in both 2005 and 2007, while exports in 2004, 

2006, and 2008 totaled roughly $290,000 each year. U.S. exports dropped to $71,000 in 

2009. Canada and Colombia accounted for 75 percent of total U.S. exports of combed, 

single, cotton yarns exceeding 94 metric. 

Certain Home Furnishings 

Commission staff contacted the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), 

WestPoint Home, Springs Global, and Standard Textiles regarding possible domestic 

 7

 ***, telephone interview by USITC staff, April 28, 2010; ***, telephone interview by USITC staff, 

May 4, 2010; ***, telephone interview by USITC staff, May 10, 2010; NCTO, written submission to the 

USITC, April 29, 2010, 1. 8

 In its submission, WestPoint Home indicated that RL Stowe Mills produces or has the capacity to 

produce fine-gauge ring-spun cotton yarns. However, staff contacted RL Stowe Mills and learned that it 

ceased operations in early 2009 and is currently in the process of liquidation. RL Stowe Mills, telephone 

interview by USITC staff, May 5, 2010. 9

 Information in this paragraph is from ***, telephone interview by USITC staff, April 28, 2010. 10 ***, telephone interview by USITC staff, April 28, 2010; ***, telephone interview by USITC staff, 

May 4, 2010; ***, telephone interview by USITC staff, May 10, 2010; NCTO, written submission to the 

USITC, April 29, 2010. 11 Trade data are from USITC, DataWeb (accessed April 30, 2010). 12 Such yarns are classified under Schedule B export numbers 5205.27.0000 and 5205.28.0000. 
2-5 

production of the subject home furnishings. 13 Commission staff found no domestic 

production of home furnishings using the subject combed, compacted, ring-spun cotton 

yarns.14 Further, the Commission also did not find any domestic production of home 

furnishings using conventional ring-spun cotton yarns of the same fineness (greater than 

102 metric) as the subject compacted yarns. WestPoint Home and Springs Global, the 

two largest U.S. producers of home furnishings, shut down spinning, weaving, and 

finishing operations for U.S.-produced bedding during 2006 and 2007, respectively.15

***16 There is limited production of home furnishings remaining in the United States. 

The products made domestically do not incorporate the subject compacted yarns, nor do 

they serve the same end market as the home furnishings made with the subject compacted 

yarns. 

 

With respect to production in Bahrain, there is a producer, ***, that makes bedding for 

the U.S. and other markets from the subject combed, compacted, single, ring-spun cotton 

yarns, as well as other yarns.17 ***18 ***19 ***20 *** 

WestPoint asserted that conventional ring-spun cotton yarns are not substitutable with 

compacted cotton yarns ***. 21 *** 22 In addition, in its written submission to the 

Commission, WestPoint indicated that there are differences in the quality of home 

furnishings made using compacted cotton yarns versus conventional ring-spun yarns that 

would be noticeable to consumers. WestPoint’s submission pointed to a public article that 

described sheets made with compacted yarns as being stronger and having a softer hand 

and better colorfastness.23 The company also indicated that the properties of compacted 

yarns (for example, uniformity in the thickness of the yarns) are particularly beneficial in 

the production of high-thread-count bedding, pillowcases, and curtains.24

***25

U.S. imports of the subject home furnishings products containing the subject compacted 

yarns are not specifically provided for in the HTS; however, total U.S. imports of the 

 13 ***, telephone interviews by Commission staff, April 13, 2010, April 28, 2010, and May 5, 2010; 

NCTO, written submission to the USITC, April 29, 2010. 14 U.S. production data for the selected home furnishings are unavailable. The most recent available 

data show that domestic production of all types of sheets and pillowcases declined by 56 percent during 

2007-08. As the major U.S. producers of these goods have moved operations abroad, future domestic 

production of bedding products will likely continue to decline. USDOC, Census, “Current Industrial Reports: 

Textiles, Fourth Quarter 2008.” 15 Hogsett, “WestPoint Home Cuts 1,000. Closes Most U.S. Bedding Plants,” June 4, 2007; Shoulberg, 

“Springs to Stop U.S. Weaving by 2007,” June 19, 2006. 16 ***, telephone interview by Commission staff, April 28, 2010. 17 Dr. Hassan A. Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Kingdom of Bahrain, petition to 

Honorable Ron Kirk, United States Trade Representative, April 1, 2009; and Kingdom of Bahrain, Additional 

Petition Information, “U.S.-Bahrain Market for Fine Gauge Compact Ring Spun Cotton Yarns & 

Characteristics of Fine Gauge Compact Ring Spun Cotton Yarns,” July 7, 2009. 18 Unless otherwise noted, information in this paragraph is from ***, telephone interview by 

Commission staff, April 28, 2010. 19 ***, e-mail message to Commission staff, May 12, 2010. 

20 ***, telephone interview by Commission staff, April 28, 2010; ***, e-mail message to Commission 

staff, April 30, 2010. 21 Sandler, Travis, & Rosenberg, written submission to the Commission, April 29, 2010, 4. 22 ***, telephone interview by Commission staff, April 28, 2010. 23 Sandler, Travis, & Rosenberg, written submission to the Commission, April 29, 2010, 6–7. 24 Sandler, Travis, & Rosenberg, written submission to the Commission, April 29, 2010, 5–6. 25 ***, telephone interview by Commission staff, May 5, 2010. 
2-6 

subject home furnishing products made with all types of cotton yarns26 from all sources 

totaled $1.9 billion in 2009.27 China was the largest supplier in 2009, accounting for 39 

percent of total U.S. imports, followed by India (23 percent) and Pakistan (22 percent). 

Bahrain was the fourth largest supplier to the U.S. market in 2009, accounting for 4 

percent ($67.1 million) of total U.S. imports.28 Virtually all (99.8 percent) of U.S. imports 

of the subject products from Bahrain entered free of duty under the U.S.-Bahrain FTA in 

2009. During January–March 2010, the value of imports that entered under NTR duty 

rates increased to 2 percent of the total value of the subject products from Bahrain, likely 

reflecting increased use of non-originating compacted, ring-spun yarns. 

 

Probable Effect of the Proposed Modifications on U.S. Trade 

under the U.S.-Bahrain FTA, on Total U.S. Trade, and on 

Domestic Producers of the Affected Articles29

 

The Commission’s analysis indicates that the proposed modifications of the U.S.-Bahrain 

FTA rules of origin for certain home furnishings of certain combed, compacted, single, 

ring-spun cotton yarns could lead to a large increase in U.S. trade in the affected articles 

under the U.S.-Bahrain FTA, but would have little or no effect on total U.S. trade in the 

affected articles, and no effect on U.S. producers of the affected articles. 

 

With respect to U.S. imports from Bahrain, ***. Therefore, it is likely that the rules of 

origin changes would result in a significant increase in U.S. imports of certain home 

furnishings under the U.S.-Bahrain FTA, but no increase in U.S. exports to Bahrain. 

The current level of U.S. imports from Bahrain of home furnishings containing the 

subject compacted yarns is small. Based on publicly available trade data, it is estimated 

that home furnishings containing the subject compacted yarns account for no more than 2 

percent ($0.3 million) of U.S. imports from Bahrain of all types of the selected home 

furnishings (i.e., containing all types of yarns). Further, Bahrain is a small supplier of all 

types of the selected home furnishings to the United States, accounting for just 4 percent 

($67.1 million) of total U.S. imports of such products. Therefore, even if there is a large 

increase in U.S. imports of such products from Bahrain, the increase in imports would 

occur from a small base and would likely displace, in part, U.S. imports from other 

suppliers. As such, it is likely that the rule of origin changes would result in little or no 

increase in total U.S. imports. 

 

Currently there are no known U.S. producers of the subject combed, compacted, single, 

ring-spun cotton yarns. Although fine-gauge conventional ring-spun yarns made in the 

United States are reportedly substitutable with the combed compacted ring-spun yarns, 

***. Therefore, regardless of whether the conventional ring-spun yarns are substitutable 

for the compacted yarns, the proposed modifications to the rules of origin would likely 

have no effect on U.S. producers of cotton yarns, exports of such yarns under the U.S.-

Bahrain FTA, or total U.S. trade. 

 26 Under statistical reporting numbers 6302.21.9010, 6302.21.9020, 6302.31.5010, 6302.31.5020, 

6302.31.9010, 6302.31.9020, 6303.91.0020, 6304.92.0000, 6307.90.8945, 6307.90.8985, and 6307.90.8995. 27 These products accounted for a significant percentage (about one quarter) of U.S.-Bahrain FTA trade, 

which totaled $258 million in 2009. Trade data are from USITC, DataWeb (accessed May 10, 2010). 28 During 2004–09, U.S. imports of home furnishings products from Bahrain increased by 44 percent. 29 The Commission’s advice is based on information currently available to the Commission. 
3-1

CHAPTER 3 

Summary of Positions of Interested Parties 

The Commission received written submissions concerning the proposed rules of origin 

changes for the subject home furnishings made of certain combed, compacted, ring-spun 

cotton yarns from the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) and WestPoint 

Home, Inc. NCTO expressed opposition to the proposed changes to the rules of origin, 

whereas WestPoint Home expressed support for the changes. 

 

National Council of Textile Organizations1

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) said that it is an association 

representing the U.S. textile industry, including fiber, fabric, and yarn manufacturers, as 

well as machinery manufacturers and suppliers. NCTO listed three ways in which the 

proposed changes would damage the U.S. yarn-spinning industry: first, compact ringspun yarns and conventional ring-spun yarns are interchangeable, particularly in finished 

products, and conventional ring-spun yarns are readily available from domestic 

producers; second, products made with the yarns identified in the petition are 

indistinguishable to U.S. Customs from products made with conventional ring-spun 

yarns, rendering rules of origin unenforceable; third, approval of commercial availability 

petitions can set precedent for future trade agreements with other countries. In other 

words, if a product is determined to be commercially unavailable in the case of one 

country, that determination might be replicated in another agreement with another 

country. With regard to this third point, NCTO stated that “larger markets for U.S. yarns 

would be threatened” and “replication of this petition in the Western Hemisphere trade 

areas would destroy the market for competing U.S. yarns.”2

 

In its statement, NCTO indicated that final fabric quality is influenced to a much higher 

degree by the choice of fiber used than by the type of yarn. Further, it stated that strength 

and hand in finished products are not affected by the type of yarn used, whether it is 

conventional ring-spun yarns or compacted ring-spun yarns. In fact, NCTO contended, 

conventional ring-spun yarns can be even stronger than compacted ring-spun yarns.3

 

NCTO explained that the processes of fabric formation and finishing (which can remove 

hairiness) have blurred the lines between conventional ring-spun yarns and compact ringspun yarns, making them indistinguishable in the final product.4

 NCTO characterized the 

proposed modifications to the rules of origin under the U.S.-Bahrain FTA as posing a 

“great threat” to the domestic cotton-spinning industry, and concluded that such action 

would undermine the “yarn forward” rules of origin established under other comparable 

U.S. FTAs. As part of its submission, NCTO provided technical articles and the results of 

laboratory analysis supporting its position that conventional ring-spun yarns are 

substitutable with compacted ring-spun yarns. 

 1

 NCTO, written submission to the USITC, April 29, 2010. 2

 NCTO, written submission to the USITC, April 29, 2010, 1, 3. 3

 NCTO, written submission to the USITC, April 29, 2010, 2. 4

 NCTO, written submission to the USITC, April 29, 2010, 3. 
3-2

WestPoint Home, Inc.5

WestPoint Home, Inc. (WestPoint) requested that the Commission find that there will be 

no adverse effect on U.S. yarn spinners or their workers from the proposed changes to the 

rules of origin for certain home furnishing articles under the U.S.-Bahrain FTA. 

WestPoint asserted that there are no producers of fine-gauge compacted ring-spun yarns 

in the United States or Bahrain. It also noted that the Committee for the Implementation 

of Textile Agreements (CITA) has previously found that certain compacted, plied, ringspun yarns were not available in the United States under the commercial availability 

provisions of the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) and the Andean Trade 

Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) in 2005 and again in 2006. WestPoint 

indicated that there has been no new U.S. production or capacity added to produce the 

compacted ring-spun yarns since the CITA made the original determinations. WestPoint 

further explained that plied yarns are simply two single yarns twisted together. WestPoint 

said that the fact that plied compacted yarns were determined to be commercially 

unavailable would indicate that the single compacted yarns are similarly unavailable. 

 

WestPoint cited commercial observations, laboratory testing, and academic research to 

show that the unique characteristics of compacted ring-spun yarns cannot be replicated or 

substituted by other products. As evidence of this claim, WestPoint quoted a prior USITC 

report6

 that addressed the substitutability of the aforementioned plied compacted ringspun cotton yarns with alternate yarns, and said that the USITC report found them 

unsubstitutable. In addition, WestPoint provided laboratory test data submitted by the 

Government of Bahrain in its petition for the proposed rules of origin changes to support 

the contention that conventional ring-spun yarns are not substitutable with compacted 

ring-spun yarns. According to WestPoint, the subject yarns are required for production of 

high-end bedding products “to reduce pilling, imperfections, and add strength.” 7

WestPoint maintained that the durability and quality of bedding products made using 

compact yarns are both distinguishable and preferred by the individual consumer. 

WestPoint concluded by describing the likely benefits of the proposed modifications to 

the rules of origin, which it said would allow U.S. firms weaving fabrics from subject 

yarns to “reclaim a portion of the textile business” while lowering prices on home 

furnishings products to consumers.8

 WestPoint did not anticipate any adverse impact on 

U.S. producers of pillowcases and sheets because there is no domestic production of 

these goods using the subject yarns.9

 

 5

 Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., filed on behalf of WestPoint Home, Inc., written submission to 

the USITC, April 29, 2010. 6

 USITC, Commercial Availability of Apparel Inputs (2005), 2006, 008-1–008-5. 7

 WestPoint Home, written submission to the USITC, April 29, 2010, 6. 8

 WestPoint Home, written submission to the USITC, April 29, 2010, 7. 9

 WestPoint Home, written submission to the USITC, April 29, 2010, 7. 
Bibl-1 

Bibliography 

Hoechst Celanese. Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology. Charlotte, NC: Hoechst Celanese 

Corporation, 1990. 

Hogsett, Don. “WestPoint Home Cuts 1,000. Closes Most U.S. Bedding Plants.” Home Textiles Today, 

June 4, 2007. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-164587891/westpoint-home-cuts1000.html. 

National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO). Written submission to the U.S. International Trade 

Commission in connection with inv. no. Bahrain-FTA-103-025, Certain Combed Cotton Yarns: 

Effect of Modification of U.S.-Bahrain FTA Rules of Origin, April 29, 2010. 

Sandler, Travis, & Rosenberg, on behalf of WestPoint Home. Written submission to the U.S. 

International Trade Commission in connection with inv. no. Bahrain-FTA-103-025, Certain 

Combed Cotton Yarns: Effect of Modification of U.S.-Bahrain FTA Rules of Origin, April 29, 

2010. 

Shoulberg, Warren. “Springs to Stop U.S. Weaving by 2007, Bringing End to an Era.” HFN: The Weekly 

Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network, June 19, 2006. 

http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-147526534/springs-stop-u-s.html (accessed May 5, 

2010). 

U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). Commercial Availability of Apparel Inputs (2005): Effect 

of Providing Preferential Treatment to Apparel from Sub-Saharan African, Caribbean Basin, and 

Andean Countries. USITC Publication 3848. Washington, DC: USITC, 2006. 

______. Interactive Tariff and Trade DataWeb (DataWeb). http://dataweb.usitc.gov (accessed various 

dates). 

U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC). U.S. Census Bureau (Census). “Current Industrial Reports: 

Textiles, Fourth Quarter 2008.” MQ313A, March 2009. 

______. Census. “Current Industrial Reports: Textiles; 2008 Summary.” MQ313A, March 2009. 

APPENDIX A 

Request Letter from the United States Trade 

Representative 



APPENDIX B 

Federal Register Notice 

Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 47 / Thursday, March 11, 2010 / Notices 11559 

Issued: March 8, 2010. 

Marilyn R. Abbott, 

Secretary to the Commission. 

[FR Doc. 2010–5234 Filed 3–10–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 7020–02–P 

INTERNATIONAL TRADE 

COMMISSION 

[Investigation No. Bahrain-FTA–103–025] 

Certain Combed Cotton Yarns: Effect 

of Modification of U.S.-Bahrain FTA 

Rules of Origin 

AGENCY: United States International 

Trade Commission. 

ACTION: Institution of investigation. 

SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request 

on February 12, 2010, from the U.S. 

Trade Representative (USTR) under 

authority delegated by the President and 

pursuant to section 104 of the United 

States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement 

(FTA) Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 

3805 note), the Commission instituted 

investigation No. Bahrain FTA–103– 

025, Certain Combed Cotton Yarns: 

Effect of Modification of U.S.-Bahrain 

FTA Rules Of Origin. 

DATES: April 29, 2010: Deadline for 

filing all written submissions. 

On or before July 12, 2010: 

Transmittal of report to the USTR. 

ADDRESSES: All Commission offices, 

including the Commission’s hearing 

rooms, are located in the United States 

International Trade Commission 

Building, 500 E Street, SW., 

Washington, DC. All written 

submissions should be addressed to the 

Secretary, United States International 

Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., 

Washington, DC 20436. The public 

record for this investigation may be 

viewed on the Commission’s electronic 

docket (EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov/ 

edis3-internal/app. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Coproject Leaders Heidi Colby-Oizumi 

(202–205–3391 or 

heidi.colby@usitc.gov) or Kimberlie 

Freund (202–708–5402 or 

kimberlie.freund@usitc.gov) for 

information specific to this 

investigation. For information on the 

legal aspects of this investigation, 

contact William Gearhart of the 

Commission’s Office of the General 

Counsel (202–205–3091 or or 

william.gearhart@usitc.gov). The media 

should contact Margaret O’Laughlin, 

Office of External Relations (202–205– 

1819 or margaret.olaughlin@usitc.gov). 

Hearing-impaired individuals may 

obtain information on this matter by 

contacting the Commission’s TDD 

terminal at 202–205–1810. General 

information concerning the Commission 

may also be obtained by accessing its 

Internet (http://www.usitc.gov). Persons 

with mobility impairments who will 

need special assistance in gaining access 

to the Commission should contact the 

Office of the Secretary at 202–205–2000. 

Background: Chapter 3, Annex 3–A 

and Chapter 4 of the FTA contain the 

rules of origin for textiles and apparel 

for application of the tariff provisions of 

the FTA. These rules are reflected in 

General Note 30 of the Harmonized 

Tariff Schedule of the United States 

(HTS). According to the USTR’s request 

letter, U.S. negotiators have recently 

reached agreement in principle with 

representatives of the government of 

Bahrain on certain modifications to the 

rules of origin to the FTA for certain 

combed cotton yarns used in the 

production of certain home furnishings, 

as described in the attachment to the 

letter (for the text of the letter and 

attachment, see the Commission’s Web 

site for this investigation at http:// 

www.usitc.gov/research_and_analysis/ 

What_We_Are_Working_On.htm). 

Section 202(j) of the United StatesBahrain Free Trade Agreement 

Implementation Act (the Act) authorizes 

the President, subject to the 

consultation and layover requirements 

of section 104 of the Act, to proclaim 

such modifications to the rules of origin 

as are necessary to implement an 

agreement pursuant to Article 3.2.5 of 

the FTA. One of the requirements set 

out in section 104 of the Act is that the 

President obtain advice from the United 

States International Trade Commission. 

The request letter asks that the 

Commission provide advice on the 

probable effect of the proposed 

modifications on U.S. trade under the 

U.S.-Bahrain FTA, total U.S. trade, and 

on domestic producers of the affected 

articles. The USTR asked that the 

Commission provide its report 

containing its advice by July 12, 2010, 

and that the Commission shortly 

thereafter issue a public version of the 

report with any confidential business 

information deleted. Additional 

information concerning the articles and 

the proposed modifications, including a 

copy of the USTR’s request letter, can be 

obtained by accessing the Commission’s 

Web site at http://www.usitc.gov. The 

current U.S.-Bahrain FTA rules of origin 

applicable to U.S. imports can be found 

in general note 30 of the HTS (see 

‘‘General Notes’’ link at http:// 

www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/ 

index.htm). 

Written Submissions: No public 

hearing is planned. However, interested 

parties are invited to file written 

submissions and other information 

concerning the matters to be addressed 

in this investigation. All written 

submissions should be addressed to the 

Secretary. To be assured of 

consideration by the Commission, 

written submissions relating to the 

Commission’s advice should be 

submitted at the earliest possible date, 

and should be received not later than 

5:15 p.m., April 29, 2010. All written 

submissions must conform to the 

provisions of section 201.8 of the 

Commission’s Rules of Practice and 

Procedure (19 CFR 201.8). Section 201.8 

requires that a signed original (or a copy 

so designated) and fourteen (14) copies 

of each document be filed. In the event 

that confidential treatment of a 

document is requested, at least four (4) 

additional copies must be filed, in 

which the confidential information 

must be deleted (see the following 

paragraph for further information 

regarding confidential business 

information). The Commission’s rules 

authorize the filing submissions with 

the Secretary by facsimile or electronic 

means only to the extent permitted by 

section 201.8 of the rules (see Handbook 

on Electronic Filing Procedures, http:// 

www.usitc.gov/docket_services/ 

documents/ 

handbook_on_electronic_filing.pdf). 

Persons with questions regarding 

electronic filing should contact the 

Secretary (202–205–2000). 

Any submissions that contain 

confidential business information must 

also conform with the requirements of 

section 201.6 of the Commission’s Rules 

of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 

201.6). Section 201.6 of the rules 

requires that the cover of the document 

and the individual pages be clearly 

marked as to whether they are the 

Aconfidential@ or Anon-confidential@ 

version, and that the confidential 

business information be clearly 

identified by means of brackets. All 

written submissions, except for 

confidential business information, will 

be made available for inspection by 

interested parties. 

The Commission may include some or 

all of the confidential business 

information submitted in the course of 

this investigation in the report it sends 

to the USTR and the President. As 

requested by the USTR, the Commission 

will publish a public version of the 

report. However, in the public version, 

the Commission will not publish 

confidential business information in a 

manner that would reveal the operations 

of the firm supplying the information. 

Issued: March 4, 2010. 


jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES

B-3
11560 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 47 / Thursday, March 11, 2010 / Notices 

By order of the Commission. 

Marilyn R. Abbott, 

Secretary to the Commission. 

[FR Doc. 2010–5218 Filed 3–10–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 7020–02–P 

JUDICIAL CONFERENCE OF THE 

UNITED STATES 

Meeting of the Judicial Conference 

Advisory Committee on Rules of 

Appellate Procedure 

AGENCY: Judicial Conference of the 

United States Advisory Committee on 

Rules of Appellate Procedure. 

ACTION: Notice of open meeting. 

SUMMARY: The Advisory Committee on 

Rules of Appellate Procedure will hold 

a two-day meeting. The meeting will be 

open to public observation but not 

participation. 

DATES: April 8–9, 2010. 

TIME: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

ADDRESSES: Inn on Biltmore Estate, I 

Approach Road, Asheville, NC 28803. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John 

K. Rabiej, Chief, Rules Committee 

Support Office, Administrative Office of 

the United States Courts, Washington, 

DC 20544, telephone (202) 502–1820. 

Dated: March 4, 2010. 

John K. Rabiej, 

Chief, Rules Committee Support Office. 

[FR Doc. 2010–5072 Filed 3–10–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 2210–55–M 

JUDICIAL CONFERENCE OF THE 

UNITED STATES 

Meeting of the Judicial Conference 

Advisory Committee on Rules of 

Evidence 

AGENCY: Judicial Conference of the 

United States Advisory Committee on 

Rules of Evidence. 

ACTION: Notice of open meeting. 

SUMMARY: The Advisory Committee on 

Rules of Evidence will hold a two-day 

meeting. The meeting will be open to 

public observation but not participation. 

DATES: April 22–23, 2010. 

TIME: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

ADDRESSES: Empire Hotel, 44 W 63rd 

Street, New York, NY 10023. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John 

K. Rabiej, Chief, Rules Committee 

Support Office, Administrative Office of 

the United States Courts, Washington, 

DC 20544, telephone (202) 502–1820. 

Dated: March 4, 2010. 

John K. Rabiej, 

Chief, Rules Committee Support Office. 

[FR Doc. 2010–5073 Filed 3–10–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 2210–55–M 

JUDICIAL CONFERENCE OF THE 

UNITED STATES 

Meeting of the Judicial Conference 

Committee on Rules of Practice and 

Procedure 

AGENCY: Judicial Conference of the 

United States Committee on Rules of 

Practice and Procedure. 

ACTION: Notice of open meeting. 

SUMMARY: The Committee on Rules of 

Practice and Procedure will hold a twoday meeting. The meeting will be open 

to public observation but not 

participation. 

DATES: June 14–15, 2010. 

TIME: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

ADDRESSES: Thurgood Marshall Federal 

Judiciary Building, Mecham Conference 

Center, One Columbus Circle, NE., 

Washington, DC 20544. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John 

K. Rabiej, Chief, Rules Committee 

Support Office, Administrative Office of 

the United States Courts, Washington, 

DC 20544, telephone (202) 502–1820. 

Dated: March 4, 2010. 

John K. Rabiej, 

Chief, Rules Committee Support Office. 

[FR Doc. 2010–5074 Filed 3–10–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 2210–55–M 

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree 

Under the Clean Water Act and Clean 

Air Act 

Notice is hereby given that on March 

5, 2010, a proposed Consent Decree in 

United States v. ESSROC San Juan, Inc., 

Civil Action No. 3:09–cv–01578, was 

filed with the United States District 

Court for the District of Puerto Rico. 

In this action, the United States 

sought penalties and injunctive relief for 

the Defendant’s violations of the Clean 

Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq., and 

the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. 

at its portland cement manufacturing 

plant in Dorado, Puerto Rico. 

To resolve the United States’ claims, 

the Defendant will pay a penalty of 

$275,000 and perform injunctive relief 

including the installation of water 

effluent controls, the rerouting of air 

emissions through control devices, and 

enhanced monitoring provisions. In 

addition the Defendant will perform a 

supplemental environmental project 

requiring it to grant a conservation 

easement over 5.3 acres of land to the 

Puerto Rico Department of Natural 

Resources. 

The Department of Justice will receive 

for a period of thirty (30) days from the 

date of this publication comments 

relating to the Consent Decree. 

Comments should be addressed to the 

Assistant Attorney General, 

Environment and Natural Resources 

Division, and either emailed to 

pubcomment-ees.enrd@usdoj.gov or 

mailed to P.O. Box 7611, U.S. 

Department of Justice, Washington, DC 

20044–7611, and should refer to either: 

United States v. ESSROC San Juan, Inc., 

Civil Action No. 3:09–cv–01578, D.J. 

Ref. 90–5–2–1–08412. The Consent 

Decree may be examined at the Office of 

the United States Attorney for the 

District of Puerto Rico at Torre Chardon, 

Suite 1201, 350 Carlos Chardon Avenue, 

San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918, and at U.S. 

EPA Region 2 Caribbean Environmental 

Protection Division, Centro Europa 

Building, 1492 Ponce Deleon Avenue, 

Suite 417, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00907. 

During the public comment period, the 

Consent Decrees may also be examined 

on the following Department of Justice 

Web site, http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/ 

Consent_Decrees.html. A copy of the 

Consent Decrees may also be obtained 

by mail from the Consent Decree 

Library, P.O. Box 7611, U.S. Department 

of Justice, Washington, DC 20044–7611 

or by faxing or e-mailing a request to 

Tonia Fleetwood 

(tonia.fleetwood@usdoj.gov), fax no. 

(202) 514–0097, phone confirmation 

number (202) 514–1547. In requesting a 

copy from the Consent Decree Library, 

please enclose a check, payable to the 

U.S. Treasury, in the amount of $13.25 

(25 cents per page reproduction cost), 

or, if by e-mail or fax, forward a check 

in the applicable amount to the Consent 

Decree Library at the stated address. 

Maureen Katz, 

Assistant Chief, Environmental Enforcement 

Section, Environment and Natural Resources 

Division. 

[FR Doc. 2010–5223 Filed 3–10–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4410–15–P 


jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES

B-4
APPENDIX C 

Chapter 63 of General Note 30 of the U.S. 

Harmonized Tariff Schedule

Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (2010)

Annotated for Statistical Reporting Purposes

GN. p. 560

Bahrain

(I) Fabrics of subheading 5208.41, with the warp colored with vegetable dyes, and the filling yarns white or colored with vegetable

dyes, of average yarn number greater than 65 metric. 

30. A change to subheadings 6205.20 through 6205.30 from any other chapter, except from headings 5106 through 5113, 5204

through 5212, 5307 through 5308 or 5310 through 5311, chapter 54 or headings 5508 through 5516, 5801 through 5802 or 6001

through 6006, provided that the good is cut or knit to shape, or both, and sewn or otherwise assembled in the territory of Bahrain or

of the United States, or both.

31. A change to subheading 6205.90 from any other chapter, except from headings 5106 through 5113, 5204 through 5212, 5307

through 5308 or 5310 through 5311, chapter 54 or headings 5508 through 5516, 5801 through 5802 or 6001 through 6006,

provided that the good is cut or knit to shape, or both, and sewn or otherwise assembled in the territory of Bahrain or of the United

States, or both. 

32. A change to headings 6206 through 6210 from any other chapter, except from headings 5106 through 5113, 5204 through 5212,

5307 through 5308 or 5310 through 5311, chapter 54 or headings 5508 through 5516, 5801 through 5802 or 6001 through 6006,

provided that the good is cut or knit to shape, or both, and sewn or otherwise assembled in the territory of Bahrain or of the United

States, or both.

33. A change to subheadings 6211.11 through 6211.12 from any other chapter, except from headings 5106 through 5113, 5204

through 5212, 5307 through 5308 or 5310 through 5311, chapter 54 or headings 5508 through 5516, 5801 through 5802 or 6001

through 6006, provided that the good is cut or knit to shape, or both, and sewn or otherwise assembled in the territory of Bahrain or

of the United States, or both.

34. A change to subheading 6211.20 from any other chapter, except from headings 5106 through 5113, 5204 through 5212, 5307

through 5308 or 5310 through 5311, chapter 54 or headings 5508 through 5516, 5801 through 5802 or 6001 through 6006,

provided that:

(A) the good is cut or knit to shape, or both, and sewn or otherwise assembled in the territory of Bahrain or of the United States,

or both; and

(B) with respect to a garment described in heading 6101, 6102, 6201 or 6202, of wool, fine animal hair, cotton or man-made

fibers, imported as part of a ski-suit of this subheading, any visible lining material contained in the apparel article satisfies the

requirements of chapter rule 1 to chapter 62.

35. A change to subheadings 6211.31 through 6211.49 from any other chapter, except from headings 5106 through 5113, 5204

through 5212, 5307 through 5308 or 5310 through 5311, chapter 54 or headings 5508 through 5516, 5801 through 5802 or 6001

through 6006, provided that the good is cut or knit to shape, or both, and sewn or otherwise assembled in the territory of Bahrain or

of the United States, or both.

36. A change to subheading 6212.10 from any other chapter, provided that the good is cut or knit to shape, or both, and sewn or

otherwise assembled in the territory of Bahrain or of the United States, or both, and provided that, during each annual period, such

goods of a producer or an entity controlling production shall be eligible for preferential treatment under this note only if the

aggregate cost of fabric(s) (exclusive of findings and trimmings) formed in the territory of Bahrain or of the United States, or both,

that is used in the production of all such articles of that producer or entity during the preceding annual period is at least 75 percent

of the aggregate declared customs value of the fabric (exclusive of findings and trimmings) contained in all such goods of that

producer or entity that are entered during the preceding one-year period.

37. A change to subheadings 6212.20 through 6212.90 from any other chapter, except from headings 5106 through 5113, 5204

through 5212, 5307 through 5308 or 5310 through 5311, chapter 54 or headings 5508 through 5516, 5801 through 5802 or 6001

through 6006, provided that the good is cut or knit to shape, or both, and sewn or otherwise assembled in the territory of Bahrain or

of the United States, or both.

38. A change to headings 6213 through 6217 from any other chapter, except from headings 5106 through 5113, 5204 through 5212,

5307 through 5308 or 5310 through 5311, chapter 54 or headings 5508 through 5516, 5801 through 5802 or 6001 through 6006,

provided that the good is cut or knit to shape, or both, and sewn or otherwise assembled in the territory of Bahrain or of the United

States, or both.

Chapter 63.

Chapter Rule 1: For purposes of determining the origin of a good of this chapter, the rule applicable to that good shall only apply to the

component that determines the tariff classification of the good and such component must satisfy the tariff change requirements set out in

the rule for that good. 

1. A change to headings 6301 through 6302 from any other chapter, except from headings 5106 through 5113, 5204 through 5212,

5307 through 5308 or 5310 through 5311, chapter 54 or headings 5508 through 5516, 5801 through 5802 or 6001 through 6006,

provided that the good is cut or knit to shape, or both, and sewn or otherwise assembled in the territory of Bahrain or of the United

States, or both.

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Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (2010)

Annotated for Statistical Reporting Purposes

GN p. 561

Bahrain

2. A change to tariff item 6303.92.10 from tariff items 5402.43.10 or 5402.52.10 or any other chapter, except from headings 5106

through 5113, 5204 through 5212, 5307 through 5308 or 5310 through 5311, chapter 54 or headings 5508 through 5516, 5801

through 5802, or 6001 through 6006, provided that the good is cut or knit to shape, or both, and sewn or otherwise assembled in

the territory of Bahrain or of the United States, or both.

3. A change to heading 6303 from any other chapter, except from headings 5106 through 5113, 5204 through 5212, 5307 through

5308 or 5310 through 5311 chapter 54 or headings 5508 through 5516, 5801 through 5802 or 6001 through 6006, provided that

the good is cut or knit to shape, or both, and sewn or otherwise assembled in the territory of Bahrain or of the United States, or

both.

4. A change to headings 6304 through 6308 from any other chapter, except from headings 5106 through 5113, 5204 through 5212,

5307 through 5308 or 5310 through 5311, chapter 54 or headings 5508 through 5516, 5801 through 5802 or 6001 through 6006,

provided that the good is cut or knit to shape, or both, and sewn or otherwise assembled in the territory of Bahrain or of the United

States, or both. 

5. A change to heading 6309 from any other heading. 

6. A change to heading 6310 from any other chapter, except from headings 5106 through 5113, 5204 through 5212, 5307 through

5308, or 5310 through 5311, chapter 54 or headings 5508 through 5516, 5801 through 5802 or 6001 through 6006, provided that

the good is cut or knit to shape, or both, and sewn or otherwise assembled in the territory of Bahrain or of the United States, or

both.

Chapter 70.

1. A change to heading 7019 from any other heading, except from headings 7007 through 7020.

Chapter 94.

1. A change to subheading 9404.90 from any other chapter, except from headings 5007, 5111 through 5113, 5208 through 5212,

5309 through 5311, 5407 through 5408 or 5512 through 5516 or subheading 6307.90.

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