```

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 56 (Friday, March 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17642-17643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06680]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS

Determination Under the Textile and Apparel Commercial 
Availability Provision of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United 
States Free Trade Agreement (``CAFTA-DR Agreement'')

AGENCY: The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.

ACTION: Determination to add a product in unrestricted quantities to 
Annex 3.25 of the CAFTA-DR Agreement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DATES:  Effective Date: March 22, 2013.
SUMMARY: The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements 
(``CITA'') has determined that certain piece dyed three-thread fleece 
fabric, as specified below, is not available in commercial quantities 
in a timely manner in the CAFTA-DR countries. The product will be added 
to the list in Annex 3.25 of the CAFTA-DR Agreement in unrestricted 
quantities.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria Dybczak, Office of Textiles and 
Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-3651.
    For Further Information On-Line: http://web.ita.doc.gov/tacgi/CaftaReqTrack.nsf under ``Approved Requests,'' Reference number: 
178.2013.02.21.Fabric.SoriniSametforGaranMfg.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Authority: The CAFTA-DR Agreement; Section 203(o)(4) of the 
Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement 
Implementation Act (``CAFTA-DR Implementation Act''), Pub. L. 109-53; 
the Statement of Administrative Action, accompanying the CAFTA-DR 
Implementation Act; and Presidential Proclamations 7987 (February 28, 
2006) and 7996 (March 31, 2006).

Background

    The CAFTA-DR Agreement provides a list in Annex 3.25 for fabrics, 
yarns, and fibers that the Parties to the CAFTA-DR Agreement have 
determined are not available in commercial quantities in a timely 
manner in the territory of any Party. The CAFTA-DR Agreement provides 
that this list may be modified pursuant to Article 3.25(4)(5), when the 
President of the United States determines that a fabric, yarn, or fiber 
is not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the 
territory of any Party. See Annex 3.25 of the CAFTA-DR Agreement; see 
also section 203(o)(4)(C) of the CAFTA-DR Implementation Act.
    The CAFTA-DR Implementation Act requires the President to establish 
procedures governing the submission of a request and providing 
opportunity for interested entities to submit comments and supporting 
evidence before a commercial availability determination is made. In 
Presidential Proclamations 7987 and 7996, the President delegated to 
CITA the authority under section 203(o)(4) of CAFTA-DR Implementation 
Act for modifying the Annex 3.25 list. Pursuant to this authority, on 
September 15, 2008, CITA published modified procedures it would follow 
in considering requests to modify the Annex 3.25 list of products 
determined to be not commercially available in the territory of any 
Party to CAFTA-DR (Modifications to Procedures for Considering Requests 
Under the Commercial Availability Provision of the Dominican Republic-
Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement, 73 FR 53200) 
(``CITA's procedures'').
    On February 21, 2013, the Chairman of CITA received a request for a 
Commercial Availability determination (``Request'') from Sorini Samet & 
Associates LLC on behalf of Garan Manufacturing, Inc. for certain piece 
dyed three-thread fleece fabric, as specified below. On February 25, 
2013, in accordance with CITA's procedures, CITA notified interested 
parties of the Request, which was posted on the dedicated Web site for 
CAFTA-DR Commercial Availability proceedings. In its notification, CITA 
advised that any Response with an Offer to Supply (``Response'') must 
be submitted by March 7, 2013, and any Rebuttal Comments to a Response 
must be submitted by March 13, 2013, in accordance with sections 6 and 
7 of CITA's procedures. No interested entity submitted a Response to 
the Request advising CITA of its objection to the Request and its 
ability to supply the subject product.
    In accordance with section 203(o)(4)(C) of the CAFTA-DR 
Implementation Act, and section 8(c)(2) of CITA's procedures, as no 
interested entity submitted a Response objecting to the Request and 
providing an offer to supply the subject product, CITA has determined 
to add the specified fabric to the list in Annex 3.25 of the CAFTA-DR 
Agreement.
    The subject product has been added to the list in Annex 3.25 of the 
CAFTA-DR Agreement in unrestricted quantities. A revised list has been 
posted on the dedicated Web site for CAFTA-DR Commercial Availability 
proceedings.

SPECIFICATIONS: Certain Piece Dyed Three-thread Fleece Fabric

HTS: 6001.21
Overall fiber content: Cotton--57 to 63%; Polyester--37 to 43%.
Gauge: 21
Face Yarn:
    Fiber content: 57-63% combed cotton; 37-43% polyester ring spun
    Yarn size: 47.4/1-57.6/1 (metric); 28/1-34/1 (English)
Tie Yarn:
    Fiber content: 100% polyester
    Yarn size: 157.9-191.5/48 filament (metric); 47-57 denier 48 
filament (English)
Fleece Yarn:
    Fiber content: 72-78% carded cotton, 22-28% polyester
    Yarn Size: 18.6/1-28.8/1(metric); 11/1-17/1 (English)

    Weight: 233.9-267.8 g/square meter (6.9-7.8 oz./square yard)
    Width: 152.4 cm cuttable or greater, open width (60'' cuttable 
or greater, open width)
    Finish: Single fiber piece dyed with reactive dyestuff for 
cotton or disperse dye stuff for polyester.
    Performance Criteria:
    1. Torque must not exceed 4% (must meet AATCC 179)

[[Page 17643]]

    2. Vertical and horizontal shrinkage must be under 5%
    3. Must meet a class-1 flammability rating.
    NOTE: The attributes listed for yarn size relate to the size of 
the yarn prior to knitting. The measurements for fabric construction 
and weight relate to the fabric prior to garment production. Some 
variations may occur in these measurements as a result of the 
manufacturing processes.

Kim Glas,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc. 2013-06680 Filed 3-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
```