Washington DC Gets Ready to Discuss AGOA, Textiles From Africa, and More

On Friday August 1, 2014, the Civil Society of the AGOA Forum will be hosting its own two-day meeting under the theme “AGOA:Re-Authorization beyond 2015.”    Time is running out to register but you still can here.

The purpose of this meeting is to come up with written recommendations for presentation to the Ministerial Session of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) during the Africa Summit beginning August 5, 2014.

As described by the AGOA Civil Society Network, the AGOA “is a trade mechanism that was passed by the US Government in 2000 to encourage US-Africa trade.   AGOA currently provides the 40 AGOA-eligible countries with:

-   - Most liberal access to US markets for any country or region without at free trade agreement

-   - Reinforced Africa reform and development efforts, and

-   - Access to US credit and technical expertise.”

Other posts related to AGOA and textiles can be found here.

The Foundation for Democracy in Africa is likewise hosting an event on August 5, 2014 entitled “AGOA CSO Session: 13th US-Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation AGOA Forum.  This event will have a focus on human rights and democratic reform, among other topics.  Tickets are free but registration is required.

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CPSC Proposes Amending GCC Rules

Importers:  Did you know that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has proposed to amend the existing rule on the General Certificate of Conformity (GCC)?

Amendments including the requirement for the electronic filing of GCCs for regulated imported consumer products with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the time of filing the CBP entry, or the time of filing the entry and entry summary, are just some of the proposed amendments. 

Not keen on this idea?  You are in luck! 

 The CPSC recently voted to hold a workshop and seek additional public comments on aspects of its proposed rule on Certificates of Compliance, which the Commission first published on May 13, 2013.

Interested parties are invited to participate in, or attend the workshop, and to submit written comments.

The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2014 in the CPSC Hearing Room, 4th Floor of the Bethesda Towers Building, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Registration is now open using the following link, where you can also read the  formal notice by CPSC:

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Newsroom/Public-Calendar/Register-for-CPSC-Public-Meetings-Workshops-and-Forums/Registration-for-Public-Workshop-on-Electronic-Filing-of-Certificates/

Questions or comments? Post below or email me at clark.deanna@gmail.com

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Is Your Scarf Flammable? Women’s Scarves Recalled Due to Flammability Hazard

DO YOU HAVE ONE OF THESE SCARVES? 

If so, be advised that there’s been at least 1 report of these scarves catching fire and they have now been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission as they failed to meet the federal flammability standard for wearing apparel and pose a risk of burn injury to consumers.

Both the Julie Vos “Sierra” and “Anchor” style scarves have been recalled.

The scarves, which are under the brand, Julie Vos, are 100 percent modal fabric, which is a type of rayon, and were sold in two prints, Anchor and Sierra. Anchor (on the left) was sold in three colors, including blue, green and orange. 

Sierra (on the right) was sold in four colors, including raspberry/magenta, orange/peach, cream/gray and blue/purple. The scarves measure 75 inches long by 45 inches wide and "Julie Vos" is printed on a tag sewn into the back of the scarf.

Manufactured in India, these imported scarves have been sold at specialty boutiques across the country and online at www.julievos.com from January 2014 through February 2014 for about $165.  

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled scarves and contact Julie Vos to arrange to return the scarves for a full refund. Julie Vos will provide a pre-paid postage label for shipping.

More information on the product recall may be found here:  http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Womens-Scarves-Recalled-by-Julie-Vos/#remedy

Questions or comments? Post below or email me at clark.deanna@gmail.com

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