There is so much discussion these days around the MADE IN USA label. What does it take to use the label “Made in USA” and can you trust it when you see it?
This article will tell you everything you need to know.
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Made in USA. Three little words with a not-so-little impact! Read more
Following public comment periods in two separate cases, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has approved final consent orders settling charges that iSpring Water Systems, LLC, a Georgia-based distributor of water filtration systems, and Block Division, Inc., a Texas-based distributor of pulley block systems, made misleading Made-in-the-USA claims. Read more
Historically there has been a lot of hype around the American-made topic, but there is a heightened awareness in recent years, which has drawn more attention to this subject now more than ever. This is primarily due to reshoring by major manufacturers, the US Government with SelectUSA and STEM programs, and all of the issues we face with counterfeiting and sub-par products.
Almost every day, I find an article or a label that says, “Made in USA” or “American made.” Products I see with the Made in USA label range anywhere from batteries, hand tools, and hardware, to outdoor furniture and household appliances, to groceries and dog food — not to mention the Made in USA mandate for many government-driven programs. This is similar to every time I communicate with my wife and kids because whenever there is a lot of talk, there are also a lot of misunderstandings, misstatements, and misconceptions.
Related: Buying American Made: Ways To Express Your Values with Your Pocket Book
If we want to get technical, American-made can mean many things. Is it South American-made? North American-made? Is it made in Mexico? What is it?
According to the Federal Trade Commission, a product is made in the USA if it is “all or virtually all” made in the USA. What does “all or virtually all” mean? That phrase “means that all significant parts and processing that go into the product must be of US origin. That is, the product should contain no — or negligible — foreign content.” My interpretation is that, most importantly, you be honest. Say so if it is made in the USA with domestic and imported components. Say so if it is manufactured in the USA and packaged in Mexico. Say so if it is designed and assembled in the USA but manufactured in China.
Now on to the heart of the subject, why does it matter? Why should I care? I want the best price … It matters more than we accept.
RELATED: If you are a manufacturer, a service provider, a producer of goods, or if you employ American citizens and are creating jobs, find out how a MAM partnership will help you
What are your thoughts? Does it matter to you? Does it matter enough to consider a change? Let us know in the comments below.
Need help to find things that are Made in USA? Check out a few of our favorite places to shop.
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Did you know that buying Made in USA has a more significant impact than you know? Click for top 4 reasons.
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As it turns out, a flag label doesn’t guarantee that a product was born in the “land of the free and the home of the brave.” A recent Consumer Reports survey found that 8 out of 10 consumers would rather buy a domestically made product than an imported one, but it’s difficult to figure out which are the frauds. Read more
As companies “tiptoe” back to the United States from overseas, the “Made in USA” label should grow more common. However, ambiguous rules are costing some manufacturers hundreds of thousands of dollars in penalties and legal fees. So what’s the problem? The coveted “Made in USA” does not always mean the same thing to companies as to the Federal Trade Commission. Read more
California long required that any manufacturer wanting to say that a product is made in America must, in fact, have a product that’s made in America. Read more
California companies must now actually make their products in the U.S. to call them American-made.
Mostly. Read more
Want To Increase Sales?
Simple Answer: CERTIFY Your Products as MADE IN USA CERTIFIED!
Retailers that listen to the demands of the public often find the very best ways of delivering the products wanted by their customers. Today, 80% of Americans have stated they prefer to buy goods MADE IN THE USA and would even pay more for them1. Some companies have tried to fool the public by falsely applying a “Made in USA” sticker, but HOW DO YOU KNOW that what you buy was actually MADE in the USA? Read more
Manufacturers of products made with recycled materials can’t claim offerings were “Made In USA” unless they can show that the materials originated domestically, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) making it the “Made in USA” claims tricky for recycled materials. Read more