NTA Supports Bill to Define Superfine Wool, Cashmere

On December 16, 2005 Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Janice Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced the Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act. H.R. 4583 to amend the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939.

SEC. 2. LABELING OF WOOL AND CASHMERE PRODUCTS TO FACILITATE COMPLIANCE AND PROTECT CONSUMERS.

(a) In General- Section 4(a) of the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. 68b(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

`(5) In the case of a wool product stamped, tagged, labeled, or otherwise identified as--
`(A) `Super 80's' or `80's', if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool product does not average 19.5 microns or finer;

`(B) `Super 90's' or `90's', if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool product does not average 19.0 microns or finer;

`(C) `Super 100's' or `100's', if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool product does not average 18.5 microns or finer;

`(D) `Super 110's' or `110's', if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool product does not average 18.0 microns or finer;

`(E) `Super 120's' or `120's', if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool product does not average 17.5 microns or finer;

`(F) `Super 130's' or `130's', if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool product does not average 17.0 microns or finer;

`(G) `Super 140's' or `140's', if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool product does not average 16.5 microns or finer;

`(H) `Super 150's' or `150's', if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool product does not average 16.0 microns or finer;

`(I) `Super 160's' or `160's', if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool product does not average 15.5 microns or finer;

`(J) `Super 170's' or `170's', if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool product does not average 15.0 microns or finer;

`(K) `Super 180's' or `180's', if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool product does not average 14.5 microns or finer;

`(L) `Super 190's' or `190's', if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool product does not average 14.0 microns or finer;

`(M) `Super 200's' or `200's', if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool product does not average 13.5 microns or finer; and

`(N) `Super 210's' or `210's', if the average diameter of wool fiber of such wool product does not average 13.0 microns or finer.

In each such case, the average fiber diameter of such wool product may have a variation of up to 0.25 microns and may be subject to such other standards or deviations as adopted by regulation by the Commission.

`(6) In the case of a wool product stamped, tagged, labeled, or otherwise identified as cashmere, if--

`(A) such wool product is not the fine (dehaired) undercoat fibers produced by a cashmere goat (capra hircus laniger);

`(B) the average diameter of the fiber of such wool product exceeds 19 microns; or

`(C) such wool product contains more than 3 percent (by weight) of cashmere fibers with average diameters that exceed 30 microns.

The average fiber diameter may be subject to a coefficient of variation around the mean that shall not exceed 24 percent.'.
(b) Applicability Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to wool products manufactured on or after January 1, 2006.

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