Pending Legislation is Likely To Impact Outdoor Industry…

The section that amends the Lacey Act-a law passed in 1900 that prohibits interstate and international trafficking in protected wildlife species-requires new reporting requirements of all plant or plant products entering the United States. This includes any products using wood or bamboo-based products. The requirements also extend to any hang tags that are on plant or wood-based products.

The Farm Bill and the changes to the Lacey Act are now law, passed by Congress and signed by the president. It is not proposed legislation or policy. It will go into effect on Dec. 15, 2008, unless it can be altered or delayed.

The new reporting requirements would require all importers to declare the genus and species of the plant or plants used in the imported product, provide a description of the value of the importation, provide a description of the quantity, including the unit of measure of the plant, and provide the name of the country from which the plant was taken.
If more than one plant was used-cotton and rayon for example-both species of plants must be declared; if plant products came from multiple countries, both countries must be declared; if the genus and species or country of origin are unknown, importers must identify all the potential genera, species and countries of origin. If importers have a paper or paperboard product that includes recycled plant material, the percentage of recycled material must be declared as well. These changes will impact the following types of products in the outdoor industry:

All cotton fibers/fabrics-Cellulose based
All Rayon and its Polynosic derivatives (Modal, Tencel, Bemberg, etc.)-Regenerated Cellulose based-Made from Pulp of Hardwood Trees
All Bamboo, Jute, Hemp and Linen fibers-Modified cellulose
Some wood-based trim items such as buttons
Soy bean fibers
Cork products-such as fishing rod handles, umbrella handles, etc.