The Federal Trade Commission closed two investigations into “Made in USA” claims, law firm Frankfurt Kurnit reported in a February 7, 2025 alert.
The two cases
- LifeVac: The FTC looked at whether LifeVac overstated USA content in its anti-choking medical devices, which it said “contained significant imported content.” It closed the case after LifeVac removed all Made in USA claims, including from TV and social media.
- Buckingham Manufacturing: The FTC looked at USA claims for safety harnesses on the company’s website and Amazon. It closed the case after Buckingham removed the claims, told distributors and third-party sites, and started a compliance monitoring plan.
- The closing letters were issued the day after Andrew N. Ferguson was named FTC chairman.
Why it matters for Made in USA
Closing letters are the FTC’s most common outcome in origin cases: companies fix the claims and avoid penalties. The firm said the letters gave no sign of a change in approach under the new chair.
FAQ
What is an FTC closing letter?
A letter ending an investigation without enforcement action, usually after the company changes its claims.
Did either company pay a penalty?
No. Both cases were closed after the claims were removed.
Who chaired the FTC?
Andrew N. Ferguson had just been named chairman.
Source & credit
Source: Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz via Mondaq, February 7, 2025: “FTC Closes Two ‘Made In USA’ Inquiries”, by Jeffrey Greenbaum.