US Rep. Earl Blumenauer (Democrat-Oregon) and Sen. Ron Wyden (Democrat-Oregon) introduced legislation on 10 July that would provide duty-free treatment to imports of certain recreational performance outerwear.
Recreational performance outerwear is defined in the legislation as trousers (including paddling pants, ski or snowboard pants, and ski or snowboard pants intended for sale as parts of ski suits), coveralls and bib overalls and jackets (including full zip, paddling and ski jackets, including ski jackets intended for sale as parts of ski suits), windbreakers and similar articles, predominantly composed of knitted fabrics of cotton, wool, hemp, bamboo, silk or man-made fibre, that are either water-resistant or visibly coated, or both, with critically sealed seams, and with five or more of the following features.
(i) Insulation for cold weather protection.
(ii) Pockets, at least one of which has a zippered, hook and loop, or other type of closure.
(iii) Elastic, drawcord or other means of tightening around the waist or leg hems, including hidden leg sleeves with a means of tightening at the ankle for trousers and tightening around the waist or bottom hem for jackets.
(iv) Venting, not including grommet(s).
(v) Articulated elbows or knees.
(vi) Reinforcement in one of the following areas: elbows, shoulders, seat, knees or ankles or cuffs.
(vii) Weatherproof closure at the waist or front.
(viii) Multi-adjustable hood or adjustable collar.
(ix) Adjustable powder skirt, inner protective skirt or adjustable inner protective cuff at sleeve hem.
(x) Construction at the arm gusset that utilises fabric, design or patterning to allow radial arm movement.
(xi) Odour control technology.
