Consumer advocacy group truthinadvertising.org (TINA.org) announced on July 1, 2025 that it had filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission alleging that replacement window company Renewal by Andersen deceptively markets its products as made in the USA.
What TINA.org alleges
According to TINA.org, Renewal promotes its windows as “made” and “custom built” in the USA on its website, in TV commercials, brochures, Google ads, flyers and social media. The group said a red, white and blue “Custom Built in the USA” label often appears in ads, sometimes with fine print saying “Using U.S. and Imported Parts,” and sometimes with no mention of imported components at all.
TINA.org said the company has spent more than $400 million on advertising since January 2023, and that a recent mailer told homeowners they could “[a]void import costs” by buying its windows. The group asked the FTC to take enforcement action. These are TINA.org’s allegations, not findings by the FTC.
“Companies have every right to promote their contribution to the American economy, but they cannot exaggerate the extent of their U.S.-based manufacturing.”
Bonnie Patten, Executive Director, TINA.org
Why it matters for Made in USA
This complaint goes to the heart of how origin claims work. Under the FTC’s Made in USA Labeling Rule, an unqualified claim that a product is “made” or “built” in the USA requires that it be “all or virtually all” made here, with no more than negligible foreign content. A company that assembles in the USA with imported parts can still say so, but the qualification has to be clear and prominent, not buried in fine print that comes and goes.
The tariff angle matters too. As import costs rise, “avoid import costs” messaging becomes a powerful sales pitch. That makes accurate origin claims more important, not less, for shoppers and for the domestic manufacturers who compete with them.
FAQ
Did the FTC find that Renewal by Andersen broke the law?
No. TINA.org filed a complaint asking the FTC to act. The allegations are TINA.org’s.
Can a product with imported parts be advertised as built in the USA?
Only with a clear qualification, such as “Assembled in USA from imported parts.” An unqualified claim requires the product to be all or virtually all made in the USA.
What is the Made in USA Labeling Rule?
It is the FTC rule that codifies the “all or virtually all” standard for Made in USA claims on labels and allows civil penalties for violations.
Source & credit
Originally announced by truthinadvertising.org (TINA.org) via GlobeNewswire on July 1, 2025: Renewal by Andersen Reported for Making Deceptive Made in USA Claims