February 19, 2016

SAFEGUARDS& | Consumer Products NO. 039/16

US Congress introduces a Bill directing the Federal Trade Commission to establish labels that may be used as a voluntary means of indicating to consumers the extent to which products are of United States origin, and for other purposes.

On 1 February, 2016 The United States Congress introduced ' A BILL' [1], H.R. 4409, to direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish labeling regulation known as 'America Star labels' as a voluntary means to indicate to consumers the extent to which products introduced, delivered, advertised, or offered for sale in commerce are manufactured in the United States.

This regulation is intended to ensure that, the content of the America Star labels are suitable to be used for such products that meet the standards and is consistent with the public's perception of the meaning of and the extent to which a product is of United States origin,

The regulation requires establishing 4 America Star labels as follows:

  1. A label that may be used for a product that satisfies the standard for an unqualified United States origin claim set forth by the Commission in the Enforcement Policy Statement.

  2. A label that may be used for a product for which not less than 90 percent of the total cost of manufacturing the product is attributable to United States costs, as determined under the Enforcement Policy Statement.

  3. A label that may be used for a product for which not less than 80 percent of the total cost of manufacturing the product is attributable to United States costs, as determined under the Enforcement Policy Statement.

  4. A label that may be used for a product for which not less than 70 percent of the total cost of manufacturing the product is attributable to United States costs, as determined under the Enforcement Policy Statement.

    The purpose of America Star labels is to accomplish the following goals:

  • Providing clarity for consumers about the extent to which products are manufactured in the United States.

  • Encouraging manufacturers to manufacture more products in the United States.

  • Highlighting the importance of domestic manufacturing for the economy of the United States.

SGS is committed to providing information about development in regulations for consumer products as complimentary services. Throughout the SGS global network of laboratories, we are able to provide a wide range of services including physical/mechanical testing, analytical testing and consultancy work for technical and non-technical parameters applicable to a comprehensive range of consumer products. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.

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Ali Karimi

Director, Technical Services- Hardlines

t: + 01 973-461-7928

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SGS SA issued this content on 19 February 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 19 February 2016 01:09:39 UTC

Original Document: http://www.sgs.com/en/news/2016/02/safeguards-03916-us-made-in-america-act-of-2016-house-bill-hr-4409