ITA Asks for Comments on Request for KFTA Textile Safeguards Info Collection

The International Trade Administration is asking for comments by Nov. 5 on its proposed “request for a textile and apparel safeguard action on imports from Korea” information collection. The U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KFTA) provides that an interested party in the U.S. domestic textile and apparel industry may file requests for safeguard actions on imports from Korea with the Committee. If as a result of the reduction or elimination of a customs duty under the KFTA, a Korean textile or apparel article is being imported into the U.S. in such increased quantities as to cause serious damage or threat of damage to a U.S. industry, the U.S. can suspend further reduction in customs duties or increase duties on the imported article from Korea.

Safeguard requests would include: (1) the name and description of the imported article; (2) import data demonstrating increased imports and competitiveness with domestic industry by the Korean article; (3) data on U.S. production of the article indicating damage to U.S. industry; etc.

The ITA expects 14 interested parties per year to file safeguard requests, which will require 4 hours each for a total annual burden of 56 hours and a total cost to the public of $2,800.

The ITA is asking for comments on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

(FR Pub 09/05/12)