House Bill Would Have the FTC Create a Voluntary USA-Origin Label

Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) introduced H.R. 3850, the “Made in America Act of 2017,” on Sept. 27, 2017. The bill would direct the Federal Trade Commission to create labels companies could use voluntarily to show how much of a product is of USA origin.

How it would work

• It would create an “America Star Program,” modeled on Energy Star and USDA Certified Organic.
• Manufacturers that met domestic manufacturing benchmarks could display labels showing the percentage of a product made in the USA.
• The FTC would develop the guidelines and labels and oversee enforcement.

The program would sit alongside, not replace, the FTC’s existing standard that an unqualified Made in USA claim means “all or virtually all” of a product is made in the USA.

“The Made in America Act would connect American consumers to American manufacturers like never before by creating a definitive, standardized definition of American-made goods,” Fitzpatrick said. Michael Araten, CEO of Pennsylvania toy maker K’NEX, urged Congress to pass it.

What happened

The bill was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and, on Sept. 29, to its Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection. It saw no further action in that Congress.

For how the FTC later codified its standard, see our coverage of the 2021 Made in USA Labeling Rule.

FAQ

Would the label be required?

No. Companies could choose to use it.

Who would run it?

The FTC would set guidelines, create the labels and enforce them.

Did it pass?

No. It was referred to an Energy and Commerce subcommittee and saw no further action.