After a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission approved a final consent order in July 2020. It settles charges that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. made false, misleading or unsupported claims that some of its products were all or virtually all made in the USA.
The FTC first announced the case in March 2020.
Products named
- Goldtouch Bakeware products
- Rejuvenation-branded products
- Pottery Barn Teen and Pottery Barn Kids-branded upholstered furniture
What the order requires
- Williams-Sonoma must pay $1 million to the FTC.
- It may not make unqualified USA-origin claims for any product unless final assembly or processing, and all significant processing, take place in the USA, and all or virtually all components are made and sourced in the USA.
- Qualified Made in USA claims must clearly disclose foreign parts, components or processing.
- To say a product is assembled in the USA, the company must show the product was last substantially transformed in the USA and that its USA assembly work is substantial.
The Commission voted 4-0-1 to approve the final order. Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter did not take part.
FAQ
How much must Williams-Sonoma pay?
$1 million.
When was the case first announced?
March 2020.
Which brands were involved?
Goldtouch Bakeware, Rejuvenation, Pottery Barn Teen and Pottery Barn Kids.
Source & credit
Source: FTC release via Sierra Sun Times, July 17, 2020: “FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Made Overly Broad and Misleading ‘Made in USA’ Claims”.
Also: Business Insurance, July 16, 2020: “Williams-Sonoma to pay $1M fine for made-in-USA claims”.