FOR YOUR INFORMATION.........................DECEMBER 19, 1995

The Federal Trade Commission will hold a public workshop on March 26 and 27, 1996 to discuss "Made in USA" advertising and labeling claims. This past July, the FTC announced that it would hold a public workshop to determine whether the FTC should alter its legal standard regarding the use of unqualified "Made in USA" claims, and how domestic content claims should be measured under any future standard. The event is open to the public and will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on both days in Room 432 of the FTC headquarters building, 6th and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., in Washington. Depending on the number of issues raised by the comments, the workshop may be extended through March 28.

The Commission invites representatives of consumer groups, industry, unions and government agencies, and other groups to take part in the workshop. Any person wishing to be considered for participation in the public workshop must file a written comment by January 16, 1996. Today's Federal Register notice discusses the procedures to be followed by those wishing to participate in the workshop.

The agency requests that persons wishing to participate in the workshop submit six written copies of their request. Requests to participate must be submitted by January 16, 1996 and should be addressed to:

               Office of the Secretary
               Federal Trade Commission
               Room 159
               6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
               Washington, D.C.  20580

Requests should include the commenter's telephone number and a FAX number if available. Requests should be captioned: "Made in USA Workshop - Request to Participate," FTC File No. P894219.

The Commission will consider the views and suggestions made during the workshop, in addition to any written comments, in formulating its future policy regarding "Made in USA" claims. The Commission will hold the record of the proceeding open for one month, until April 30, 1996, after the workshop to allow participants and other interested parties to submit clarifying or rebuttal information.

The Commission vote to issue the Federal Register notice announcing the public workshop was 4-1, with Commissioner Roscoe B. Starek, III, dissenting.

Copies of the Federal Register notice are available from the FTC's Public Reference Branch, Room 130, 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580; 202-326-2222; TTY for the hearing impaired 1-866-653-4261. To find out the latest FTC news as it is announced, call the FTC's NewsPhone recording at 202-326-2710. FTC news releases and other materials also are available on the Internet at the FTC's World Wide Web Site at: http://www.ftc.gov

(FTC Matter No. P894219)
(MUSA-2)