H.R.960 - Protect Our Clothes from PFAS Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 960, the "Protect Our Clothes from PFAS Act," aims to amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States regarding the requirements for garments to be considered water resistant. Specifically, it targets chapter 62 of the schedule, seeking to modify existing criteria. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
The core change involves striking the second sentence of Additional U.S. Note 2 to chapter 62. This suggests a simplification or alteration of the standards used to classify garments as water resistant for tariff purposes.
The bill's focus on modifying tariff classifications indicates a potential impact on international trade and domestic manufacturing related to textiles and apparel.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of H.R. 960 is a change in how water-resistant garments are classified for import and export purposes. This could influence the tariffs applied to these goods.
By modifying the requirements, the bill may impact the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers and the cost of imported clothing. The specific impact will depend on the exact wording of the sentence being removed and the subsequent interpretation of the revised tariff schedule.
Ultimately, the change could affect consumer prices, trade volumes, and the sourcing decisions of apparel companies.
Potential Benefits
- Could reduce compliance costs for manufacturers by simplifying the definition of water resistance.
- May lead to lower prices for consumers if reduced tariffs are passed on.
- Could encourage innovation in textile manufacturing by altering the standards for water resistance.
- Simplification of trade regulations can reduce administrative burdens for businesses.
- May promote trade by clarifying the requirements for water-resistant garments.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for unintended consequences if the modified definition leads to loopholes or misclassifications.
- Domestic manufacturers may face increased competition from imports if the change lowers tariffs on foreign goods.
- Could negatively impact environmental standards if the new definition is less stringent regarding PFAS or other harmful chemicals.
- May create uncertainty in the market during the transition to the new classification system.
- Possible job losses in the domestic textile industry if the bill favors imports.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the constitutional power of Congress to regulate commerce with foreign nations, as outlined in Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (the Commerce Clause). This clause grants Congress the authority to set tariffs and regulate international trade.
However, the constitutionality could be challenged if the changes implemented by the bill were to violate other constitutional protections, such as equal protection under the law. The current document does not provide enough information to assess such potential violations.
In general, tariff and trade regulations fall under the purview of Congress, making this bill presumptively constitutional.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).