Did you hear? AAFA's new website is coming soon! Our completely re-designed aafaglobal.org website is being re-invented to better meet the needs of AAFA members and to reflect our strategic initiatives across Brand Protection, Trade, and Supply Chain. The site will be mobile-friendly to help members and stakeholders navigate resources and register for our events on the go. During this transition, please contact events@aafaglobal.org for webinar and event registration questions. Contact membership@aafaglobal.org for all other inquiries.

NOTE: online registration for AAFA's events and webinars, and access to AAFA's member-only resources, will be temporarily restricted the week of May 22 during the transition. We encourage you to register for key events, such as Supply Chain Week, prior to May 22 if possible.

AAFA sends letter in support of NAFTA to Ambassador Lighthizer: Following the swearing in of new U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, AAFA sent a letter in support of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), along with several ally organizations on May 16. Read more in Bloomberg and Inside U.S. Trade.

Just released - Guidelines for Legwear, Hosiery, and Sock Testing: The Guidelines for Legwear, Hosiery, and Sock Testing – a new open-industry resource developed in collaboration with the Manufacturing Solutions Center – establishes testing standards for the industry and its lab partners. It covers a range of issues including product safety, labeling, and physical attributes such as color, fastness, and fit. Access the guidelines now.

Quarterly Market Monitor update: Members can now download the 1st Quarter 2017 Market Monitor (AAFA member login required). This quarterly report, with data by NPD Group, provides AAFA members with critical insights around sales of apparel and footwear products in the U.S. market. It also shares data about movements in the market that may impact your business and how you stack up against the competition.

AAFA comments to the Administration on trade deficits: On May 10, AAFA submitted comments to the Department of Commerce for use in preparation of the Trump administration's report on significant trade deficits. In its comments, AAFA explained that trade deficits represent a very inaccurate, and very incomplete, measure of the impact of trade on the U.S. economy.

Comments were submitted during Imports Work Week, during which AAFA and several ally organizations penned an op-ed in The Hill regarding the importance of imports to the U.S. economy.

AAFA joins coalition for American leadership: On May 9, AAFA joined with other members of the Engaging America’s Global Leadership (EAGL) coalition in sending letters to Congress and government agencies, urging the U.S. Government to take a more active leadership role in the United Nations (UN) agencies, like the International Labor Organization (ILO), with regards to policies impacting the private sector.