The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) stated its support
for preserving the status quo of the Lacey Act. Currently, the Lacey
Act states that sporting goods are exempt from the
new reporting requirements on wood and plant content in imported
products. That is now being challenged.

According to the SGMA, non-governmental organizations
and environmental groups are committed to broadening the reporting
requirement to include sporting goods. These groups point out that to
discourage illegal harvesting, all products with wood and plant content
must declare the genus, species and country of origin.

“We
at SGMA are working to keep the current sporting goods exemption which
exists with the Lacey Act, but the new environment in Washington, D.C.
is less favorable than in previous years,” said Bill Sells, SGMA's vice
president of government relations.

To prevent products with
illegally harvested content from entering the U.S., the Lacey Act was
amended last year to require manufacturers of imported products
containing wood and plant material to provide the genus, species and
country of origin of the wood or plant. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) started a phased-in implementation of this new reporting
requirement earlier this year using Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS)
chapters to break down products by category. Currently Chapter 95,
which covers toys and sporting goods, is exempt from the new reporting
requirements.

“The task for SGMA and the sporting goods industry
is how to distinguish the difference between sporting goods products
made exclusively or predominantly of wood from other wood products
covered under the Lacey Act, such as furniture,” noted Sells. “Sporting
goods made of composite wood are not an issue.”

SGMA said it
will continue its efforts to preserve the sporting goods exemption from
this new reporting requirement. However, given the atmosphere in
Washington, D.C. SGMA will also prepare a back-up plan to limit the
industry's exposure should CBP indicate a change in position.

The
Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), the #1 source for
sport and fitness research, is the leading global trade association of
manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products
industry. SGMA helps lead the sports and fitness industries by
fostering participation through research, thought leadership, product
promotion, and public policy. More information about SGMA membership
and SGMA's National Health Through Fitness Day can be found at
www.SGMA.com