339. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Posts1
98835. 1. Proposed amendment (Rule 36) to the Federal Trade Commission regulations under the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939,2 if adopted, would provide for testing of fiber content of imported wool products when requested by FTC. Proposed rule is outgrowth of mislabeled imports in which the presence of inferior fibers, i.e., used and reprocessed wool and man-made fibers, is concealed or understated. Domestic manufacturers have long been required to maintain detailed records of fiber content through all stages of manufacture.
2. FTC is now considering views on proposed rule presented to it in public hearings held October 26–27, 1966.3 Hearings brought forth suggestion of a voluntary program under which importers might utilize either foreign or domestic laboratories to test and certify to fiber content. Certifying laboratories might be required to follow test procedures approved by FTC.
3. Addressee posts are requested asap to inquire, probably of Min Foreign Trade, whether laboratory facilities presently exist in their countries [Page 814] for either expert chemical or microscopic analysis of textile fiber content. Any affirmative answers should be supported by general indication whether laboratories are now testing and can utilize various chemicals for extraction of fibers and/or can distinguish characteristics of various fibers microscopically. If present capabilities are partial or non-existent, post should determine whether host government likely to be developing test facilities in context of domestic labeling programs or as aid to export trade.
4. Tokyo and Vienna: Japanese Government has offered to arrange for a government inspection institute to issue certificates of fiber content. Austrian Government has indicated that the Hoehere Bundeslehr and Versuchsanstalt fuer Textilindustrie in Vienna is equipped to make tests. Posts are asked to obtain general description of tests which the Japanese and Austrians undertake to guarantee compliance of their wool products with Labeling Act.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, INCO–WOOL 17 US. Unclassified. Drafted by Mary E. McDonnell (E/OT/STA) on December 7; cleared by Garber (FTC), Edward Dahl (E/CBA/REP), and William W. Shoaf (Commerce/BDS) (in substance); and approved by John F. Shaw (E/OT/STA). Sent to Bern, Bonn, Brussels, Dublin, The Hague, Hong Kong, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Ottawa, Paris, Rome, Seoul, Taipei, Tokyo, Vienna and repeated to Geneva for GATT.↩
- P.L. 850, approved on October 14, 1940. (54 Stat. 1128)↩
- Not further identified.↩