Current TONS News

September 24, 2012

ILA & USMX Extend ILA Contract for 90 days

The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached an agreement to extend the contract covering ILA dockworkers for 90 days, with a new expiration date of December 29, 2012.

The article explains that "the extension was announced by George H. Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, after two days of negotiations aided by a federal mediator." The contract was scheduled to expire on September 30, 2012.

Tons will continue to monitor the progress of the negotiations, and will provide updates as they become available.

Hong Kong & China National Holidays

In observance of the upcoming National Holiday, Hong Kong businesses will be closed from October 1st - 2nd, 2012.

China's National Holiday will be observed from September 30th to October 7th, 2012 with businesses being closed for the duration of the holidays.

Chinese manufacturers will be adjusting their production schedules to ensure their orders are complete and booked on an ocean voyage to the final destination prior to the holiday closures. As a result, a surge in export bookings from Asia prior to the holiday is expected.

FTC Proposes to Amend Care Labeling of Textile Apparel Regulations

On September 19, 2012, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with the Federal Register to amend trade regulations in 16 CFR 423, which cover Care Labeling on Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods.

The amendments introduced in the Notice include to:
- Allow manufacturers and importers to provide care instructions for professional wet cleaning in labels if it applies
- Allow manufacturers and importers to use the symbol system provided in the "Standard Guide for Care Symbols for Care Instructions on Textile Products" by the ASTM or the ISO "Textiles - Care labeling code using symbols"
- Clarify what constitutes a reasonable base for care instructions
- Update the definition of "dry-clean"

The notice also explains that the regulations found on 16 CFR 423, "makes it an unfair or deceptive act or practice for manufacturers and importers of textile wearing apparel and certain piece goods to sell these items without attaching labels stating the care needed for the ordinary use of the product." On July of 2011, the FTC requested comments on the impact and need for this ruling, the benefits to consumers, and the burdens it places on businesses. These comments are posted and reviewed in this notice.

Comments must be received by November 16, 2012. The Notice is scheduled to be published on September 20, 2012.

The full text of the notice is available online at:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2012-22746.pdf

Tons News, for current and past issues of Tons News by E-mail request from tonsnews@tonslogistics.com  or call (310) 338-0337.

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Tons News is compiled from a number of public sources that, to the best of Tons knowledge, are true and correct. It is our intent to present only accurate information. However, in the event any information contained herein is erroneous, Tons accepts no liability or responsibility.