FTC: Made In The USA Comments Concerning Charles W. Jones--P894219 International Brotherhood of
Elaine D. Kolish, Associate Director RE:Preserving the Integrity of the "Made in USA” Standards Dear Ms. Kolish: On behalf of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers & Helpers, I urge you to maintain the current standard behind the "Made in USA" label, in order to protect consumers and jobs in the United States and to preserve the integrity of the "Made in USA" label. Under the FTC's proposal, products made with 25 percent or more foreign labor and foreign materials would be labeled "Made in USA." In some cases, these proposed guidelines would allow products made entirely with foreign materials and foreign components to be labeled "Made in USA!" For half a century, Americans have come to trust that the "Made in USA" label means what it says--that is, the product with that label was made in the USA. The FTC's plans to weaken this label would allow products made with foreign materials and foreign labor to masquerade as U.S. made products. This would mislead and deceive American consumers who would continue to trust that products with the "Made in USA" label were actually made in the USA. The "Made in USA" label, a time-honored symbol of American pride and craftsmanship, is an extremely valuable asset to manufacturers. Allowing this label to be applied to goods not wholly made in the U.S. will encourage companies to ship U.S. 'obs overseas because they can take advantage of cheaper labor markets while still promoting their products as " Made in USA." For products not wholly made in the USA, companies already can make a truthful claim about whatever U.S. content their products have (e.g., "Made in USA of 75 percent U.S. component parts" or Assembled in the USA from imported and domestic parts"). However, if manufacturers seek to voluntarily promote their products as "Made in USA," they should be required to be honest in that promotion and only be allowed to apply the "Made in USA" label to products wholly made in the USA. If the FTC's proposal is adopted, those Americans who look for the "Made in USA" label because they want to support America and American workers will no longer be able to do so with confidence. Once again, I urge you to maintain he current standard to preserve the label, which projects a sense of pride for American workmanship and value. Sincerely and Respectfully, Charles W. JonesCharles W. Jones cc:John J. Sweeney, President-AFL-CIO |