In Brief
2016 Notorious Markets submission: On Friday, October 7, AAFA called on the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to re-list Alibaba as a Notorious Market. In its remarks to USTR, AAFA referenced the numerous counterfeits available on Alibaba’s platforms, and its inability to meet USTR’s recommendations when the company was originally delisted in 2012. A total of 118 online and physical marketplaces were included in AAFA’s remarks. More on AAFA’s submission is available via Global Times, Retail Dive, and Wall Street Journal.

Help AAFA and K.I.D.S/Fashion Delivers raise one million pairs! AAFA has partnered with K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers to supply one million pairs of socks to the nation’s homeless. Donations began on October 10, in honor of World Homeless Day, and will continue throughout the following 12 months. 

To date, the companies DSW Inc., GBG Socks, LLC/Planet Sox, Gold Medal International, No nonsense, Renfro Corporation, TTI Global Resources, and United Legwear & Apparel Co., among others, have combined to commit over 500,000 pairs of socks to people in need. Read more about the program via Footwear News, MR Magazine, and Women's Wear Daily.

Individuals and groups are encouraged to show their support on social media using #OneMillionPairs. More information is available at www.OneMillionPairs.org. 

Meet AAFA’s Legwear Committee: AAFA’s Legwear Committee addresses the needs of our legwear members through regular meetings and advocacy initiatives. Regulations and trends in trade, product safety, labeling, and other areas affecting socks and hosiery are identified and acted upon through AAFA-facilitated member participation. The committee’s Legwear Testing Task Group also works to develop tools and resources to be utilized by AAFA members. To join, contact membership@aafaglobal.org. 

Letters to debate moderators: In advance of the second Presidential debate, AAFA sent a letter to the moderators, Anderson Cooper and Martha Raddatz, encouraging them to ask questions about UNICOR and the damaging impact prison factories have on USA manufacturing. AAFA will continue to provoke these questions in advance of the final debate, airing October 19.

See all of AAFA’s latest letters, comments, and testimony here. 

Congress and government agencies solicit comments on a range of issues that may affect your business – find a list of comment opportunities here.