FTC Finalizes Order Against Bollman Hat Over Made in USA Claims and “American Made Matters” Seal

After a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission on April 17, 2018, approved a final consent order against Pennsylvania-based Bollman Hat Company and its subsidiary SaveAnAmericanJob, LLC over deceptive Made in USA claims and a USA-origin certification seal.

What the FTC alleged

• Bollman marketed hats with claims such as “American Made Matters,” “Choose American” and “Made in USA since 1868,” though more than 70 percent of its hat styles were wholly imported as finished products, and many others contained significant imported content.
• In 2010 the companies introduced an “American Made Matters” seal and licensed it to other businesses for a $99 annual fee.
• Licensees only had to self-certify that at least 50 percent of the cost of at least one product was incurred in the USA, with final assembly or transformation in the USA.

The order

The decision and order bars Bollman and its subsidiary from unqualified Made in USA claims they cannot back up and from giving others the means to deceive through the seal. It also includes compliance reporting and monitoring, and runs until April 12, 2038. The Commission vote was 2-0. The FTC first announced the complaint in January 2018.

The same week, FTC staff closed Made in USA inquiries into three other companies; see our coverage.

FAQ

What did Bollman claim?

Claims such as “American Made Matters” and “Made in USA since 1868,” though most of its hat styles were imported, the FTC said.

What was the seal problem?

Bollman licensed its American Made Matters seal for $99 a year to companies that self-certified as little as 50 percent USA cost on one product.

When did the order become final?

The FTC approved it on April 17, 2018, by a 2-0 vote.