NAMM Alerts Luthiers and Small-Shop Members About New Regulations Concerning Shipping and Handling of Wooden Instruments

NAMM announced today that it will be providing important new compliance information specifically for luthiers and small-shop businesses that deal with shipping wooden instruments. New amendments to the Lacey Act have been instituted and NAMM is stressing the importance for these Members, and all Members dealing with wooden instruments, to understand and follow these new guidelines.

On behalf of all of its Members, NAMM will host its second webinar on the subject June 25, 2010, at 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) called “Lacey—And More—For Luthiers.” The webinar is free to anyone interested in learning about the recently implemented Lacey Act compliance regulations to protect against the unlawful act of importing, exporting, transporting, selling, receiving, acquiring or purchasing any plant, including wood, that was taken in violation of the law.

To access the live webinar, follow the instructions online at www.namm.org/publicaffairs and via conference call using the phone numbers listed on the site for your respective location. The webinar will be taped and available at www.namm.org/publicaffairs for subsequent viewing.
 


Topics being covered include:

• What is the Lacey Act?
• The 2008 amendments in layman’s terms
• Who enforces Lacey
• How to submit a Plant and Plant Product Declaration Form (PPQ Form 505)
• Penalties under the Lacey Act
• Practical advice
• An outline of what NAMM is doing to help its Members become compliant

“During the recent Summer NAMM Show, the association received requests from many small-shop luthiers and wood-using product manufacturers for an informational update regarding the recent amendments to the Lacey Act and how these changes affect their businesses,” said Mary Luehrsen, director of public affairs and government relations. “In response, NAMM is offering a free webinar to anyone who is interested, which will provide comprehensive details on how to ensure compliance.” 

Following are a few tips for successful access to the webinar on www.namm.org/publicaffairs:

1. Plan on opening the web link below 10 to 15 minutes before the start; some time may be needed to access the Webex platform

2. Conference call-in information will be provided when you log in; plan to sit at your computer and listen via phone handset or phone speaker; please put phone on mute when not participating in the webinar

3.  The webinar allows you to send e-mail messages to presenters and to the group; this will be reviewed at the opening of the webinar

About NAMM
NAMM is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion international musical instruments and products industry. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).